Storage Boilers
This is a relatively new solution, evolved from the old storage heater concept. A special unit that is both a boiler and heat energy store replaces the traditional boiler. It’s heated when electricity is cheap, typically overnight, but could also be during the day when combined with solar. It connects to your existing radiator or underfloor heating system.
How It Works
Cost Efficient
While not as efficient as a heat pump it benefitss from using cheap off-peak electricity
Instant Heat
Can provide heat when required from the storage and when required the electric boiler
Existing Radiators
Should work with existing radiator heating, without upgreades
This could be a solution for homes which would require expensive upgrades to work with heat pumps.
The solution is a combination of an electric boiler and a thermal energy store in one. It uses electricity at its lowest off-peak price to heat a propriety thermal storage medium. At peak times it heats water for your heating and hot water from the thermal store.
It would be very complementary to our community energy generation which should provide low-cost electricity to heat the storage.