Buffer tanks and calorifiers are two types of tanks for the production, storage and distribution of water, mainly in domestic settings.

The only difference between the two devices lies in how the water is used. In buffer tanks, the water is not for domestic use and is used to store thermal energy produced by other devices such as boilers or heat pumps.

In calorifiers, on the other hand, the water in the storage tank is domestic water, which is heated by heat exchangers, usually coil tubes, in combination with other devices, e.g. solar thermal panels.

Basically, in buffer tanks the water stores thermal energy, while in storage tanks it is heated to be fed into the system as domestic hot water.

Available products include vitrified storage tanks, which are connected to air conditioning systems to increase the total volume of chilled water, and thermal flywheel tanks, which are designed to be installed in conjunction with air conditioning and heating systems to increase the volume of processed water.

Both types of device make it possible to significantly reduce heat pump start-ups and, with them, energy expenditure.