School Heating: How to Improve Thermal Comfort and Reduce Consumption with Thermal Storage

The issue of school heating has for years been one of the critical points for public administrations, school principals, and design engineers. School buildings, often old and poorly efficient, are among the most energy-consuming during the winter season. The result? Uneven thermal comfort, energy waste, and high costs.

A concrete answer today comes from an innovative technology: thermal storage with PCM batteries. This solution makes it possible to optimize heat delivery, improve energy management, and contribute to the energy transition of school buildings.

Why school heating is a recurring problem

Among the main factors that make the management of school heating difficult, we find:

• Heterogeneous systems: buildings composed of sections built in different eras, with mixed or outdated systems.
• Excessive or insufficient thermal inertia compared to the type of system: the chosen heating system must take into account the time required to heat the building once the system is switched on.
• Rigid operating schedules: schools have well-defined hours that require precise and punctual thermal comfort.
• Energy demand peaks concentrated in a few hours of the day.

In this context, traditional technologies struggle to maintain a balance between efficiency, comfort, and management costs.

How thermal storage works

The thermal storage system is based on batteries that intelligently store heat. In the case of PCM (Phase Change Material) batteries, thermal energy is stored in the form of latent heat, thanks to the phase change of the material inside the battery (from solid to liquid and vice versa).

Main benefits:

• Stored heat can be released during peak demand, reducing consumption peaks.
• The system can operate in a more stable and efficient way, thanks to the support provided by the battery to cover peaks.
• The need for oversizing heat generators (e.g., boilers, heat pumps) is reduced.

In this way, the entire thermal system works under optimal conditions, improving durability, performance, and management costs.

School heating: what changes with thermal storage

The integration of a thermal storage system within school facilities brings a series of tangible benefits:

1. More stable thermal comfort
Stored heat allows classroom temperatures to remain constant, even at critical times (start of lessons, class changes, particularly cold days).

2. Energy savings and reduced consumption

• Reduced response times to thermal demand.
• Less stress on generators.
• Optimization of operating cycles.

3. Compatibility with public funds
Thermal storage can be fully integrated into projects financed by the NRRP and local calls for the redevelopment of school buildings.

4. Zero emissions
It is possible to install, instead of the traditional boiler, a system with a heat pump coupled with a thermal battery. Find out what the NOx emissions regulation requires and what companies must do.

Where thermal storage applies in schools

The technology is perfectly suited to:

• Primary and secondary schools with centralized systems.
• School complexes composed of multiple buildings.
• School structures with district heating, where thermal flow control is often limited.
• Public buildings included in energy efficiency plans, such as gyms, with high peaks in hot water demand for locker rooms.

This makes thermal batteries extremely versatile, ideal for both new constructions and renovation projects.

Application cases: the i-TES experience

At i-TES we are an Italian company specialized in the development of PCM thermal batteries for residential, business, and public applications. In the school context, we work with public bodies and designers to provide modular, scalable, and highly customizable solutions.

Our approach stands out for:

• Targeted design consulting: consumption analysis, load curve verification, energy simulation.
• Tailor-made solutions: each battery is sized according to the actual thermal needs of the building.

A proven method to turn thermal storage from a simple “technological component” into a real strategic efficiency tool.

Why choose thermal storage for school heating

Here is a summary of the strategic advantages:

• Greater energy efficiency
• Constant and controlled thermal comfort
• Reduced operating costs
• Cut in pollutant emissions
• Easier access to incentives and public funding

Investing in thermal storage means choosing a solid, measurable technology ready to face the challenges of the energy transition in the education sector as well.

An ally for the thermal transition of public schools

School heating is a real challenge, but also a great opportunity. Technologies such as thermal storage make it possible to modernize systems, improve student comfort, and optimize the energy budgets of public administrations. Thanks to the experience and technology of i-TES, today it is possible to turn the school thermal system into a virtuous example of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.

Do you want to improve the thermal efficiency of your school building?

Contact us and start a consultation with our experts.