The Xcel Heat Bank Thermal Store works with all types of heat source:

Wood Burners
Biomass Boilers
Solar Panels
Gas and Oil Boilers
Heat Pumps
Electric Elements
Communal Boilers Systems

The Xcel stores the heat and uses it to provide enough hot water to run all hot taps at the same time, as well as central heating.

In doing so it makes it possible to run domestic properties from a zero-carbon approach, with backup options tied in. 

Currently the most popular combination to achieve zero carbon is a wood burner as the primary heat source, driving central heating and hot water in winter, with solar thermal panels for hot water in summer. This combination has the added temptation of free hot water and heating.

A gas boiler has been the traditional backup, but this is changing towards wood chip, pellet or log boilers, and heat pumps, driven recently by the  new feed in tariffs, that pay you money for doing so.  
 

At both Ecobuild 2008 and 2009 the Heat Bank Thermal Store
was displayed as part of the exhibition's
main attraction, the Zero Carbon House.

"It is all very well having all this zero carbon heat if it then has
nowhere to go. For many years this has held back the harvest
possible from solar thermal and biomass and hence payback.
Forming a partnership we found a like-minded
manufacturer able to design heat stores to make the most of
the renewable technologies we have sourced."

ZedFabric Innovations

 
The core of the Xcel system is a very high quality stainless steel storage cylinder. This is insulated and cased in a coated steel casing.   

The unit provides 28 separate connections in various sizes, making any combination of heat sources and loads possible.

And keeping your options open for the future.

The finished Xcel is supplied to you as a fully fabricated system, as shown here.

Pumps, control valves, programmers...  
all the components needed to make everything work in perfect harmony are factory fitted, wired and tested.

This approach has the added benefits of reduced installation times, 25 years design experience, and additional on-site backup.

Designing a system from scratch can be a difficult process, even for an experienced designer.  To overcome this we have spent the last ten years developing online software to take you through a design, ask all the important questions, do the maths, and design your system for you. 

The first stage of the Online System Designer involves a series of questions relating to your property and what you wish to do.  

It asks you about hot water requirements, central heating, the types of heat source you wish to employ, and any other questions that are needed to ensure a system is designed properly, without forgetting anything important.

As the Designer collects information it generates a calculations page from your answers.

This checks that the system will 'work' and prompt you to make changes if there seems to be a problem.  

It also works out energy used on an annual basis, as well as carbon footprints, running costs, and potential feed in tariffs.

Once we have the outline or a working design, the Designer generates a list of equipment and options that is required to do what you have asked.

Pricing information is provided to give you a feel for the costs of the system. and help you calculate pay-back times.

A schematic drawing is then generated, providing detailed information on how the system connects together, and allowing you to visualise the whole system in operation.  

This can be used to discuss the technical side of the installation with our technical consultants, or with your installers.

A photograph of the finished and assembled Xcel system is generated so you can get a feel for the actual bit of kit you will receive.

And finally, the system will generate a list of trustworthy and experienced installers in your area.

These installers have been hand picked by us over the years, and they have all shown themselves to be technically competent, honest, and value for money.  

The Xcel is recognized within the industry as the only hot water system capable of  properly integrating wood burning with pressurised hot water and central heating.

That's why it is recommended by most wood burner manufacturers.

Quite simply, it is a combination of the best product, 
25 years experience, and the best design service available.