Thermal storage for heat pumps
A heat pump makes heat efficiently. Storage lets you choose when it runs: in sunny hours, in cheap hours, and not at the evening peak.
Why add storage to a heat pump
Without storage, a heat pump has to run when the house needs heat, whatever electricity costs at that moment.
With a large heat store, it can run earlier, when your solar panels are producing or when prices are low, and the house draws on the stored heat later.
That matters most on tariffs where electricity prices change through the day. How dynamic tariffs work.
One unit of electricity, several units of heat
A heat pump moves heat from the outside air or ground into your home. That lets it deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity it uses.
So the intended control strategy runs the heat pump first whenever that makes technical and economic sense. The electric heaters add charging capacity when more heat is needed, or when electricity prices make them worthwhile.
Temperatures and efficiency
Heat pumps work most efficiently at lower water temperatures. Keeping a whole tank very hot with a heat pump would reduce its efficiency. That is a common concern about storing heat with heat pumps.
Batbubble is designed around it:
- The heat pump charges the tank at temperatures it handles efficiently.
- The built-in electric heaters add higher-temperature heat only when solar surplus or very cheap electricity makes that worthwhile.
- A tall tank keeps hot water at the top and cooler water at the bottom, so hot water and heating can draw from the right layer.
These are design goals. Measured results will be published after testing.
What your home needs
- A compatible water-based heat pump, or a plan to install one.
- Radiators or underfloor heating that use hot water.
- Space for the tank and a qualified installer. About installation.
Questions about heat pumps and storage
Do I need a buffer tank with my heat pump?
Not always. It depends on your heat pump and heating system, and your installer decides. Batbubble is about storing heat for later, not only smoothing heat pump operation.
Does Batbubble control my heat pump?
It is designed to signal a compatible heat pump when to charge the tank and to measure its power use. Final functions depend on product development.
Will storing heat make my heat pump less efficient?
Heat pumps are most efficient at lower temperatures. Batbubble is designed so the heat pump charges at temperatures it handles efficiently, and the electric heaters add higher-temperature heat only from solar surplus or cheap hours.
Which heat pumps are compatible?
A compatibility list will be published after testing. Batbubble is designed for water-based (air-to-water or ground-source) heat pumps.
Be among the first to get Batbubble.
Batbubble is in development. Join the waiting list for development and availability updates. It is not a purchase or reservation.