Innovative Heat Battery Technology : The ZEB , a Game Changer for Low-Carbon Heating Solutions
The ZEB is an innovative heat battery boiler that works with a wet heating system , in the same way that an electric , gas or oil boiler does . However , it primarily uses offpeak electricity to generate heat , storing this heat in its thermal core , to be released on demand .
The key difference between an electric boiler and the ZEB is storage capacity . An electric boiler is unable to store heat and instead uses electricity at peak-hours , which is when people most want to heat their homes , making it very expensive to run .
The majority of electric boilers cost 3-4 times more per year to run than a gas boiler , whereas the ZEB runs at a similar cost to an air source heat pump . This is because the ZEB typically uses cheaper , off-peak electricity to charge its thermal core , which then uses that energy to provide heat for the home , making it 50 % cheaper to run than an electric boiler ..
It is designed to store thermal energy at night and release it as heat on demand throughout the day , ensuring warmth when you need it whilst reducing reliance on fossil fuels .
Heat battery boilers , such as the ZEB , offer several key benefits :
• They provide high temperature , consistent and a reliable source of heat , enhancing comfort and convenience .
• They can lead to cost savings when used with off-peak tariffs , like Octopus Go , with an 8.5p off peak rate , which incentivises charging during off-peak hours .
• The technology can integrate with renewable energy systems , such as solar PV and sustainable hot water systems .
• Heat batteries are designed to be easily installed into existing heating infrastructures with minimal disruption .
In addition , the ZEB uses a Smart Charging algorithm to calculate the best time to ‘ charge up ’ and store electricity based on the customer ’ s tariff , weather , grid carbon intensity , and historical heat consumption . It also comes with an App that gives customers more control over their boiler and provides insights into energy , cost and carbon intensity .
In terms of environmental impact , heat batteries play a critical role in the transition to a low-carbon future and offer an innovative and sustainable solution for domestic heating , providing an efficient alternative to traditional heating systems .