
Buffer Tanks
These tanks are combined
with units such as the ground source or air source
heat pumps. They are a tank of the heating system
water, positioned between the heat source (heat
pump), and the rest of the heating system. They
allow the heat pump to charge the tank with heat
energy, which can be extracted or taken
away by the rest of the heating system.
These are required
with underfloor heating systems when installed
with thermostatic control for each zone. Without
the buffer tank, the heat pump would come on when
a heating requirement is sensed by a thermostat,
but then turn off very quickly when that heating
requirement has been met. This would cycle the
heat pump and reduce the compressors operational
life span.
Good system design
would always ensure the buffer tank is the heating
systems neutral point, with all heating either
being taken from the buffer tank or supplied to
the tank. In other words, a flow and return from
the air / ground source heat pump, and a flow
and return from the underfloor heating or radiators.

NIBE Buffer Tank
Cylinder Leaflet Download
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