In most cases, any heating system has three main parts, among them pipe lines, heating radiators and a boiler, which is replaced by heating appliances, can be distinguished. But the systems of the latest generation are often equipped with other useful devices, among them one can distinguish a heat accumulator. Making it yourself at home is quite simple. With the help of this supplement, you can accumulate excess energy generated in the boiler and wasted in vain. In most cases, these options are a metal tank, which is equipped with several nozzles located above and below. Heat sources are connected to the latter, while consumers are connected to the latter. Inside is a liquid that owners can use for their own purposes.
Manufacturing manipulations can be made quite simply, for this it is necessary to prepare a certain set of tools and materials, as well as be patient.
Design Features
If you decide to make a heat accumulator with your own hands, first you need to get acquainted with the features and the principle of operation of this equipment. The basis of functioning is the significant heat capacity of water. The boiler pipeline is connected to the top of the tank, the last of which receives hot water with the highest possible temperature. A circulating pump should be located below, which is responsible for selecting cold water and pumping it through the heating system. The liquid then flows back into the boiler.
In the shortest possible time, previously cooled liquid is replaced with a freshly heated one. After the boiler stops functioning, the water in the system highways begins to cool slowly. In the process of circulation, it enters the tank, in which the extrusion of hot coolant into the pipes begins. This allows you to provide heating for a certain period of time.
The need for a heat accumulator
If you decide to make a heat accumulator with your own hands, you should know about what functions it performs. It is worth considering that modern heat storage devices are quite complex devices that perform many functions. They provide housing with hot water, can increase the efficiency of home heating systems to the maximum possible, while reducing financial costs for fuel. Among other things, the device is able to stabilize the temperature regime indoors.
With the help of this equipment it is possible to combine several heat sources, enclosing them in a single circuit. The inverse task can also be performed. Do-it-yourself heat accumulator is quite simply manufactured. It will accumulate the excess amount of energy that is generated by the boiler.
Disadvantages of a heat accumulator
If you decide to make a heat accumulator for the boiler with your own hands, then you need to consider that it has significant drawbacks, among them it can be distinguished that the water resource will depend on the volume of the installed capacity. Capacity is a very limited concept, which is why water tends to run out. In view of this, owners of private houses often stock up on an additional heating system. The first drawback gives rise to the second: it is expressed in the need for an impressive area, which is required by more resource-intensive installations. This may be a separate room, which has the form of a boiler room. Not every house has the opportunity to equip such a room.
Making a simple heat accumulator
If you need a heat accumulator, making this equipment with your own hands will be quite simple. It should be based on the principle of functioning of a thermos. The presence of walls that are not able to conduct heat does not allow the coolant to cool for a sufficiently long period of time. For work, you will need to prepare a tank, the volume of which is 150 liters or more. Adhesive tape, concrete slab, insulation material, as well as copper pipes will be needed. The latter can be replaced by heating elements.
Specialist recommendations
When you make heat accumulators for your own heating, in the first stage you need to think about how the tank will look. Most often, a metal barrel is used for its manufacture, which can be found even in your own area. The final volume can be determined individually, however, it is not worth using a tank with a capacity of less than 150 liters. This is due to the inappropriateness of the work.
Manufacturing technology
If you decide to make a heat accumulator with your own hands, the drawings of which can be prepared independently, at the first stage the selected barrel must be put in order. To do this, it is thoroughly cleaned, garbage and dust are removed from the inside. If there are areas in which corrosion has already formed, then this defect must be disposed of.
Now the master will have to prepare thermal insulation, which will wrap the container. The insulation material is responsible for keeping heat inside the barrel for a longer time. Mineral wool is excellent for home-made devices. She needs to envelop the container from the outside, fixing everything with tape. Additionally, the structure is covered with sheet metal, which can be replaced with a foil film. With the help of it you need to carefully envelop the container.
Internal filling
If you will make a heat accumulator from a barrel with your own hands, it is important to decide with which option the water inside will heat up. You can use electric heating elements, as well as a coil, the last of which brings the coolant. The first option is quite complicated, in addition, it is unsafe. That is why it is recommended to refuse it. As for the coil, it can be made independently using a copper tube. The diameter of the latter should be 3 cm, while the length can vary from 8 to 15 meters. A spiral is prepared from this element, which is then placed inside.
Final work
The top of the tank acts as a heat accumulator in the model being manufactured. From it will have to run a branch pipe. In the lower part, another pipe is mounted, which will be an introduction. Cold water will flow through it. These components of the system must be supplied with cranes. On this we can assume that a fairly simple device is completely ready for operation. However, before using it, it is important to resolve one issue that is related to fire safety. The rules say that the installation should be located only on a concrete slab, if possible, the structure should be fenced off with walls.
Features of the connection
If you are thinking about how to make a heat accumulator with your own hands, then you need to familiarize yourself with the features of the connection. A return line must pass through the entire tank in transit, at the ends of which an inlet and an outlet should be provided. Initially, it is necessary to connect the tank and the boiler return to each other. Between them is a circulation pump. The latter is installed on the second side, as well as a shut-off valve. The supply pipe is mated using the same technology as the previous one, but now the heat pumps are not installed.