Lämpövaraaja

Lämpövaraaja, often translated as thermal storage tank or heat accumulator, is a device designed to store thermal energy. It typically consists of a well-insulated tank filled with water or another medium capable of absorbing and releasing heat. The primary function of a lämpövaraaja is to decouple heat generation from heat demand, allowing for more efficient and flexible use of heating systems.

These devices are commonly integrated with various heat sources, including wood-burning stoves, pellet stoves, solar thermal systems, heat pumps, and electric boilers. When the heat source is actively producing more heat than is immediately needed, the excess energy is directed to the lämpövaraaja for storage. Later, when the demand for heat increases or the heat source is not operating, the stored thermal energy can be released to warm the building's heating system, such as radiators or underfloor heating.

The benefits of using a lämpövaraaja include improved energy efficiency by utilizing heat when it is most readily available or cheapest to produce, reduced emissions by optimizing combustion processes, and enhanced comfort through a more stable and consistent room temperature. They also allow for the integration of renewable energy sources more effectively, as solar energy or heat pump output can be stored for use when sunlight is not available or the ambient temperature is lower. The size and design of a lämpövaraaja are determined by factors such as the heating load of the building and the capacity of the heat source.