Heat Pumps and Thermal Batteries: The Rapid Response of PCM Storage

The transition from traditional boilers to heat pumps is not just a technological shift, but a real change in energy logic in thermal systems for domestic hot water. Methane boilers, in fact, were able to produce thermal heat almost instantly, responding quickly to changes in demand, for example in the production of domestic hot water (DHW). Heat pumps, on the other hand, are more efficient machines but not designed to operate "on demand": they prefer continuous and stable operation, avoiding frequent on/off cycles that reduce their efficiency and lifespan. This feature often creates a real doubt for users: "Why doesn’t hot water come immediately with the heat pump?"

The challenge: responding quickly to thermal demand

In a modern system powered by a heat pump, a sudden demand for heat, such as in the case of instant domestic hot water or a thermal load peak, can stress the system.

Many users notice that hot water does not arrive immediately, especially during times of simultaneous use. The heat pump needs time to modulate its power, while users require immediate energy.
This is one of the main issues with heat pumps: the difficulty in responding instantly to thermal demand.

The solution? The thermal battery.

This is where the i-TES thermal battery comes into play, a system that allows thermal heat to be stored and released immediately when needed, eliminating the disadvantages of heat pumps related to response times.

The thermal battery: energy ready to use

The PCM thermal battery doesn’t just store energy, but makes it immediately available.

During the charging phase:

1. The PCM (Phase Change Material) stores energy in the form of latent heat.
2. The material changes state (from solid to liquid) by absorbing the heat produced by the heat pump.

During the discharging phase:

1. When the water temperature in the hydraulic circuit is lower than the phase change temperature, the material returns to the solid state.
2. At this stage, it quickly releases the stored energy and transfers it to the water flowing through the battery.

In this way, the i-TES thermal battery:

• responds instantly to thermal demand peaks;
• keeps the delivery temperature constant (essential for DHW and sensitive thermal processes);
• avoids the need for oversized heat pumps.

High discharge power in compact spaces

One of the most important advantages of PCM (Phase Change Materials) systems is their high energy density.

With the same volume, a PCM thermal battery can:

• deliver very high thermal power;
• ensure optimal thermal exchange efficiency between the material and the heat transfer fluid;
• occupy less space compared to traditional storage systems.

In practice, the system acts as a thermal power reserve always ready to use:

When the user demands energy, the battery responds immediately, while the heat pump continues to operate in the background under optimal conditions.

Synergy for comfort and efficiency

The combination of heat pump and PCM thermal battery allows you to get the best out of both systems. This combination is ideal for both residential and industrial systems, where it is essential to ensure immediate comfort and service continuity.

Main advantages:

• Immediate comfort even with sudden DHW or heating demands.
• Optimization of the heat pump’s operating cycles.
• Reduction of electrical peaks and improved overall efficiency.
• Greater energy flexibility for the entire system.

In this way, thermal systems for domestic hot water become more reliable, efficient, and sustainable.

I-TES: heat as a dynamic resource

Thanks to its expertise in developing PCM-based thermal batteries, i-TES offers solutions that transform the concept of thermal storage into intelligent heat delivery.

The i-TES thermal batteries:

• integrate with various types of heat pumps;
• offer high discharge power and fast response times;
• optimize the heat pump’s efficiency and reduce its size.

In a context where the energy transition is based on the electrification of consumption, the thermal battery becomes a key element in making heat pumps even more sustainable and high-performing.

Discover how heat pumps combined with thermal storage systems can ensure immediate comfort and service continuity even in the tourism sector, where the constant availability of domestic hot water is essential: Heat Pump and Thermal Comfort

In conclusion, we can say that heat pumps represent the future of thermal systems for domestic hot water, but on their own they cannot guarantee an instant response to peak demand. With i-TES thermal batteries based on PCM, it is possible to overcome the disadvantages of heat pumps, ensure hot water is always available, and significantly improve overall energy efficiency.

In this balance between innovation and comfort, the thermal battery becomes the true fast response of sustainable heat.