Accumulation tanks are one of the important components of modern plumbing systems that heat water using energy obtained from different heat sources and safely store this heated water. Their main function is to continuously and evenly meet the hot water demand. They are an indispensable solution, especially in places with high hot water consumption such as hotels, hospitals, mass housing projects, sports facilities, university campuses, and industrial enterprises.
These tanks can be integrated with many different energy sources such as plate heat exchangers, solar energy collectors, heat pumps, solid fuel boilers, natural gas boilers, or waste heat recovery systems. In this way, whether fed from renewable energy systems or traditional heating units, the hot water capacity and continuity of the system are ensured.
One of the most important advantages of accumulation tanks is that they prevent hot water fluctuations during periods of high sudden demand. For example, in a hotel, hundreds of guests taking a shower at the same time in the morning can cause sudden loads on hot water systems. At this point, the accumulation tank activates the hot water it has stored in advance, preventing pressure and temperature fluctuations. Thus, users can access water at a constant temperature at any time of the day.
In addition, accumulation tanks significantly increase energy efficiency. Hot water maintains its temperature for a long time inside the tank thanks to high insulation quality. This reduces fuel consumption and operating costs as it does not require heating systems to operate continuously. It also extends the life of the equipment and minimizes maintenance needs by preventing the system from constantly starting and stopping.
When evaluated on an industrial scale, accumulation tanks meet the need for uninterrupted hot water in production processes. For example, in food production facilities, continuous water supply at certain temperatures is required to maintain hygiene standards. Similarly, in the textile, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors, process hot water is provided in a balanced way thanks to accumulation tanks.
With all these features, accumulation tanks stand out not only as a hot water storage solution but also as strategic equipment that directly affects system efficiency, user comfort, and energy savings.
Accumulation tanks are essentially storage units that do not have a direct heating element but provide hot water from different energy sources when needed by storing it. Their working principle is based on taking the hot water obtained from the heating source to which the system is connected—such as a plate heat exchanger, solar energy collector, heat pump, or boiler system—into the tank and maintaining it in an isolated environment.
The most important difference that separates accumulation tanks from boilers is hidden in their structural design. In boilers, hot water production is carried out through heat exchangers called coils inside the tank. The hot fluid passing through the coil (e.g., boiler water) directly heats the usage water in the tank. In accumulation tanks, however, there is no coil; instead, heat transfer is achieved by directly filling the hot water coming from outside into the tank.
One of the biggest advantages offered by this design is that the inner surface of the tank can be completely smooth and protected with a hygienic coating. Since there is no coil, the entire inner surface can be covered with enamel coating. Enamel coating is resistant to high temperatures, has high corrosion resistance, and prevents bacterial formation. Thus, the tank maintains both its mechanical strength and hygiene standards for many years.
In addition to enamel coating, accumulation tanks are generally covered with insulation materials such as high-density polyurethane or rock wool, allowing hot water to be maintained at the desired temperature for a long time. This situation allows the heating source to work less, providing energy savings and increasing the overall efficiency of the system.
Moreover, the coil-less structure offers significant advantages in terms of maintenance ease. Since there are no complex pipe systems on the inner surface, cleaning and maintenance can be carried out more quickly and effectively. This situation reduces maintenance times and costs, especially in industrial facilities and high-capacity systems.
In summary, the working principle of accumulation tanks is based on efficiently storing hot water coming from outside, maintaining its temperature for a long time, and offering it to the user at a constant temperature. Thanks to its coil-less design, enamel coating, and strong insulation, it offers a long-lasting, hygienic, safe, and energy-efficient solution.
Usage Areas
Accumulation tanks are critical equipment that plays a role in any environment where the need for hot water is continuous, high-capacity, and uninterrupted. Thanks to their storage capacity, insulation features, and compatibility with different energy sources, they are widely preferred in both residential and commercial and industrial facilities.
1. Hotels and Holiday Villages In the tourism sector, customer satisfaction is directly related to the comfort and quality of service provided. One of the most basic elements of this comfort is the provision of hot water at a constant temperature and uninterrupted throughout the day. Especially in hotels, there is intense use in the morning hours; hundreds of guests can take a shower at the same time, breakfast preparations accelerate in kitchens, and cleaning operations start in laundries. This creates sudden and high-capacity loads on hot water systems.
If the system is only based on a boiler or a limited-capacity heating device, temperature fluctuations may occur during these intense hours, and water pressure may decrease. Accumulation tanks are designed to meet such sudden demand increases. They store the hot water produced during the quieter hours of the day in their highly insulated reservoir and activate this water when needed, preventing the system from being strained.
Thus, guests can access hot water at a constant temperature and high pressure from early morning until midnight, regardless of the hotel's occupancy rate. Moreover, the balancing effect provided by accumulation tanks offers significant advantages to hotel businesses in terms of both energy efficiency and extending equipment life. This situation reduces the energy costs of tourism businesses while maximizing guest satisfaction.
2. Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities In the healthcare sector, hot water not only provides comfort but is also a critical requirement for sterilization, hygiene, and patient safety. Many elements used in the hospital environment, such as surgical instruments, laboratory equipment, bed linens, and kitchen materials, require high-temperature and continuous hot water to be cleaned in accordance with hygiene standards.
Numerous processes, such as equipment cleaning before and after operations in operating rooms, the operation of sterilization units, sample preparation and analysis processes in laboratories, patient baths, and food safety applications in kitchens, depend on uninterrupted and constant temperature water. Even the smallest temperature fluctuation that may occur at this point can reduce the quality of sterilization and increase the risk of infection.
Accumulation tanks come into play in hospitals with high capacity and high insulation performance to prevent these risks. They offer the hot water they have stored in advance against demand increases during the busy hours of the day and prevent pressure drops or temperature fluctuations. Additionally, by integrating with backup energy sources (generators, alternative heating systems, etc.), they maintain the continuity of the system even in possible energy cuts.
In this way, sterilization units and patient care processes continue without interruption, while no interruption occurs in the general operation of the hospital. In the long term, the reliability provided by accumulation tanks increases the quality of healthcare services and provides savings in the facility's energy costs.
3. Mass Housing Projects In collective living areas such as sites, apartments, and residences, the need for hot water intensifies at certain times of the day. Especially in the morning and evening hours, the simultaneous use of hot water by many residences can cause sudden loads and temperature fluctuations in central hot water systems. This situation can negatively affect user comfort and lead to the strain of the heating system.
Accumulation tanks are an ideal solution to eliminate this problem. When integrated into the central hot water system, they store the hot water produced during hours of low demand and balance the system by activating it during peak demand hours. Thus, each apartment is provided with hot water at a constant temperature and sufficient pressure.
Especially when used together with solar energy hot water systems, their efficiency increases even more. The hot water produced from the sun during the day can be stored in the accumulation tank and used in the evening hours or on days when the sun is insufficient. This method provides both energy savings and encourages the use of renewable energy by reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Moreover, thanks to the high insulation properties of accumulation tanks, heat loss is kept to a minimum for a long time. This contributes to the reduction of energy costs while meaning lower operating expenses for building management. In the long term, these systems add value to mass housing projects in terms of both economic and environmental sustainability.
4. Industrial Facilities In industrial facilities, hot water plays a critical role not only in production processes but also in cleaning, hygiene, and process safety. Most production lines require water at certain temperatures and continuous flow. Therefore, the continuity of hot water directly affects the production capacity of the facility.
In the food sector, processes such as pasteurization, bottling, equipment washing, and hygiene maintenance require the provision of hot water at specific temperature ranges and uninterrupted. In the textile sector, the temperature of the water directly affects product quality during fabric dyeing, finishing, and washing stages. In the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, production processes require high-temperature water in stages such as heating reactors and cleaning storage tanks.
Accumulation tanks offer a reliable hot water source in such industrial environments thanks to their high-volume storage capacity and superior insulation features. They store the hot water produced during times of low demand and activate it during peak production hours, preventing the system from being strained. Thus, production lines continue to operate without interruption, and efficiency is maintained.
Large-capacity accumulation tanks also provide significant advantages in energy management. By minimizing heat loss, energy costs are reduced, and since heating systems work less, equipment life is extended. Additionally, by integrating with solar energy or waste heat recovery systems, fossil fuel consumption is reduced, contributing to both environmental sustainability and the operating budget.
5. Sports Complexes and Swimming Pools In facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, spa centers, baths, and hot springs, hot water consumption is quite high and continuous throughout the year. In these facilities, ensuring the uninterrupted provision of hot water is of critical importance to ensure user comfort and maintain service quality.
Shower areas require continuous hot water for users to relax and meet their hygiene needs after training or swimming. Especially during peak usage hours, the simultaneous operation of many showers can create a significant load on the system. Accumulation tanks activate the hot water stored in advance during these peak hours, preventing temperature fluctuations and providing a constant pressure water flow.
In pool heating systems, maintaining the water at a certain temperature is vital for user health and comfort. Accumulation tanks provide energy savings in pool water heating circuits by minimizing heat losses.
Spa and wellness equipment (jacuzzi, steam room, massage pools, etc.) generally require high-temperature and continuous water flow. In such applications, the accumulation tank both supports the system during demand increases and increases energy efficiency by preventing heating equipment from operating unnecessarily.
Moreover, the high insulation properties of accumulation tanks in such facilities reduce operating costs while ensuring that hot water is maintained in accordance with hygiene standards. Especially in sports and entertainment facilities that are used intensively throughout the year, accumulation tanks are indispensable equipment that increases both user satisfaction and operational efficiency.
6. Educational Institutions and Public Buildings In dormitories, university campuses, schools, military facilities, public buildings, and similar collective living areas, the need for hot water increases intensely at certain times of the day. Especially in the morning hours, the simultaneous use of hot water by students, staff, or duty personnel can lead to sudden loads in central hot water systems. This situation can cause temperature fluctuations and pressure drops in systems without sufficient storage capacity.
Accumulation tanks offer a balancing storage solution in such intense usage scenarios. They store the hot water produced during hours of low demand in their highly insulated body and quickly deliver this water to the system during peak demand moments, providing uninterrupted service. In this way, both users access comfortable and constant temperature water, and the heating system continues to operate without being overloaded.
Especially in crowded living areas such as dormitories and campuses, simultaneous hot water demand occurs at different points such as showers, cafeterias, laundries, and gyms. Accumulation tanks come into play with their high-volume storage capacity to meet this multiple demand.
In public buildings and military facilities, the continuity of hot water is important not only for comfort but also for operational necessity. In such facilities, accumulation tanks working in integration with backup energy sources against energy cuts ensure the continuity of the system.
The use of accumulation tanks in educational institutions and public buildings is an important investment in terms of comfort, energy efficiency, and system reliability. It maintains service quality during peak usage hours and reduces operating costs in the long term.
7. Agricultural and Livestock Applications In the agriculture and livestock sector, the use of hot water is a critical requirement not only for comfort but also for production efficiency, hygiene, and animal health. Especially in greenhouse heating systems, maintaining the temperature balance necessary for plant growth is of vital importance for efficient production. Accumulation tanks store the hot water produced during the day and make it available at night or during periods when weather conditions are unfavorable. In this way, the temperature inside the greenhouse is consistently maintained, and energy efficiency is achieved.
In livestock activities, especially in dairies, certain temperature water is needed for the hygienic cleaning of milking equipment and storage tanks. Accumulation tanks continuously keep this hot water ready, ensuring that cleaning and sterilization processes are carried out without interruption. This helps to maintain both milk quality and meet food safety standards.
Additionally, accumulation tanks are an effective solution for heating animal shelters. In cold climates or winter months, it is necessary to maintain the shelter temperature at a certain level to protect animal health. Accumulation tanks store pre-heated water and activate it when needed, supporting the heating system.
The use of accumulation tanks in these areas not only increases energy efficiency but also ensures the uninterrupted continuation of production processes and reduces operating costs. For agricultural and livestock enterprises, these systems are a valuable investment in terms of long-term efficiency and sustainability.
Differences Between Boiler and Accumulation Tank
Although both equipment are designed to provide hot water, the boiler and accumulation tank differ from each other in terms of both working principle and design features. These differences directly affect usage scenarios and system efficiency.
1. Working Principle
• Boilers produce hot water through the coil inside. The hot fluid passing through the coil (e.g., boiler water, solar energy circuit, or heat pump fluid) transfers heat to the usage water inside the tank. In this way, the water is heated directly inside the device.
• Accumulation tanks, on the other hand, do not contain coils. Instead, they store pre-heated water coming from external sources (exchanger, solar energy, heat pump, boiler, etc.). In other words, the accumulation tank is not a heating device but a highly efficient hot water storage.
2. Purpose of Use
• Boilers undertake both the heating and storage of water at the same time. Therefore, they can be used as a standalone hot water production system.
• Accumulation tanks, on the other hand, are responsible for the storage, not the production of hot water. They are integrated into the system in projects where the boiler alone is insufficient in capacity or where hot water demand is very high, increasing the storage volume.
3. Structural Features
• Since there is a coil in boilers, the internal design of the tank is more complex. This situation can increase production costs and maintenance difficulties.
• Since there is no coil in accumulation tanks, the entire inner surface can be protected with enamel coating. This coating increases resistance to corrosion and provides an advantage in terms of hygiene.
4. Energy Efficiency
• Boilers can continuously produce hot water as long as the heat source is working, but capacity may be limited in cases of sudden high demand.
• Accumulation tanks activate during sudden demand increases by storing the hot water coming from outside in advance. Thus, they prevent the system from being strained and optimize energy use.
5. Integration Opportunities
• Boilers can work alone or be connected to solar energy or boiler systems.
• Accumulation tanks mostly work together with plate exchanger systems, solar energy systems, or heat pumps. Especially in renewable energy applications, they store the hot water produced during the day for use at night.
Integration with Solar Energy and Exchanger Systems
One of the most important advantages of accumulation tanks is their high compatibility with renewable energy systems, thereby increasing both energy efficiency and sustainability. Especially in solar energy hot water systems, accumulation tanks serve as a critical component that maximizes system performance.
In solar energy systems, the energy obtained from the sun during the day is transferred to a heat carrier fluid via collectors. This fluid transfers heat to the usage water with the help of plate exchangers. However, energy production from the sun is only possible during the day, and efficiency decreases in cloudy weather. At this point, the accumulation tank comes into play; it stores the hot water produced throughout the day, keeping it ready for use at night or when sunlight is insufficient.
The main advantages of this system are as follows:
• Energy Continuity: Since the hot water obtained from solar energy is stored in the accumulation tank, users can access uninterrupted hot water 24 hours a day.
• Energy Efficiency: Excess hot water produced during sunny hours is not wasted; it is evaluated by being stored, increasing the overall efficiency of the system.
• Fuel Savings: During periods when solar energy is used, traditional heating systems are activated less, thus reducing fuel consumption and operating costs.
Integration with plate exchanger systems further enhances the performance of accumulation tanks. Plate exchangers are equipment with a large surface area and high heat transfer efficiency. Since there is no direct contact between the hot fluid and the usage water, hygienic usage water is obtained. Moreover, plate exchangers allow the tank to reach the desired temperature in a much shorter time thanks to their high heat transfer rates.
Pioneering brands in the sector, such as MIT, offer accumulation tanks and boilers as package solutions, providing significant advantages to the user. In these package systems; the exchanger, accumulation tank, boiler, and necessary connection elements are pre-designed and integrated in a compatible manner. Thus:
• The initial investment cost is optimized because the equipment is supplied as a single package, not separately.
• The installation time is shortened, and potential incompatibility problems on site are prevented.
• System efficiency increases because all components are selected in compatible capacity and design.
As a result, the integration of solar energy and exchanger systems with accumulation tanks stands out as an environmentally friendly solution supporting the use of renewable energy and an economical investment that reduces energy costs. Especially in hotels, hospitals, mass housing, and industrial facilities, these integrated solutions offer high performance and low operating costs in the long term.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Advantages
Accumulation tanks not only undertake the task of hot water storage in modern facilities but also provide significant contributions in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability. The basic operating principle of the system is to store the produced hot water without loss and make it available only when needed. This approach significantly reduces both operating costs and environmental impacts.
1. Minimizing Heat Loss Accumulation tanks are covered with superior insulation materials such as high-density polyurethane foam or rock wool. Since these materials have a low thermal conductivity coefficient, they maintain the temperature of the water inside the tank for a long time. Thanks to the insulation quality, the hot water stored in the tank can be kept at the desired temperature for hours or even days. This minimizes energy loss and prevents heating systems from unnecessarily activating.
2. Preventing Unnecessary Energy Consumption In traditional systems, heating devices need to operate continuously when there is a hot water demand. Accumulation tanks, on the other hand, offer the hot water they have stored in advance for use, so the heating source works less. This situation significantly reduces the system's energy consumption, especially outside peak usage hours.
3. Savings in Fuel and Operating Costs Less operation of heating devices means reduced fuel consumption. This provides savings in natural gas, electricity, or solid fuel expenses and extends the life of the equipment, reducing maintenance and repair costs. Especially in large facilities, significant reductions in annual energy bills are achieved.
4. Compatibility with Renewable Energy When integrated with renewable energy sources such as solar energy or waste heat recovery systems, accumulation tanks store the hot water produced from these sources, making it available at any time of the day. This reduces fossil fuel consumption, decreases carbon emissions, and makes it easier for businesses to achieve their environmental sustainability goals.
5. Reducing Carbon Footprint Energy efficiency not only provides cost advantages but also reduces environmental impacts. Less energy consumption means less greenhouse gas emissions. This is an important advantage for both environmentally conscious businesses and projects aiming for green building certification.
6. Increasing System Efficiency Accumulation tanks reduce the on-off cycles of the heating system, allowing equipment to operate more efficiently. In continuously operating systems, efficiency decreases and the risk of malfunction increases; however, when an accumulation tank is used, the system operates more stably and efficiently.
Accumulation tanks are not just a hot water storage solution; they are a strategic investment that provides energy savings, reduces operating costs, and minimizes negative environmental impacts. Whether in residential projects or industrial facilities, they are an indispensable part of sustainable energy management with their long-term economic and environmental benefits.
Conclusion
Accumulation tanks are not just equipment that stores hot water; they are strategic solution partners in the energy management of modern facilities. Whether in comfort areas or industrial production facilities, they are one of the most effective methods for ensuring the continuity of hot water, increasing energy efficiency, and extending the life of heating systems.
Thanks to their high insulation capacity, they preserve the stored hot water for a long time, thus preventing heating systems from unnecessarily activating. This means both fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs. Their compatibility with different energy sources such as solar energy, heat pumps, plate exchangers, solid or liquid fuel boilers makes accumulation tanks a versatile and flexible solution.
Especially when integrated with renewable energy systems, accumulation tanks play a critical role in achieving sustainability goals. The ability to offer the hot water produced during the day for use at night allows energy sources to be used more efficiently. This contributes to the reduction of the carbon footprint and provides an important advantage for environmentally conscious businesses.
As Ekin Industrial, we add value to your projects with high-quality, long-lasting, and hygienic accumulation tanks produced in Turkey. Our products are designed to be adaptable to different scale applications, from residential projects to hotels, from hospitals to industrial facilities.
Every project's needs are different; therefore, our engineering team determines the accumulation tank with the most suitable capacity and technical features for you. We are with you at every stage of the process, from production to installation, from commissioning to after-sales technical support.
If you also want to increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and obtain long-lasting hot water solutions, contact our expert team on accumulation tanks. Let's determine the most suitable solution for your project together and take your system's efficiency to the next level.