Thermal Energy Store Cost

How Much Does a Thermal Store Cost?

As the colder winter months close in, it can feel as if the heating never turns off, and the bills continue to rise. But there is a different way to save money and conserve energy in those colder months.

A typical household will have a system that constantly heats the water you want to use for baths, showers, and washing the dishes. While useful, it's not necessarily the best option for cost-efficiency and energy consumption.

Thermal stores are insulated tanks that hold hot water, rather than heating on demand, so it's ready when you want to use it.

So, how much do thermal stores cost?

The average thermal store installation costs £1,900, including labour and materials.

In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about thermal stores, including the different types of thermal stores, how they work and many other aspects of thermal stores.

Thermal Energy Store Prices

The average cost of installing a thermal energy store is £1,900. The job will usually take 1 day to complete.

Let's look at thermal store installation prices in more detail:

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Labour Cost to Install a Thermal Store & Timescales

The labour cost to install a thermal store is between £400 and £500.

The installation of a thermal store is a two-person job, mainly due to the size and manoeuvrability of the thermal store.

If the engineers find any issues with the mains water source, or the compartment in which you want the thermal store installed, you may find that the price increases.

Cost of living also plays a part in determining your labour charges, with traders in London and the surrounding areas costing more than those in less densely populated areas of the UK.

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Factors That Impact Thermal Store Installation Costs

Size and Type of Thermal Store

If you live in a small house with one other person, you're going to use much less hot water than a household with four children.

A smaller thermal store will cost less in materials, thus saving you money.

However, if you have a big family in your household, it's a good idea to opt for the bigger store, and while it may be a bigger investment, you will save a lot of money in energy bills over time. The quality of the thermal store will also affect the price of the job.

The best thing to do is to buy the best you can afford, and the engineer should be able to advise you on which thermal store they think would be best for your requirements.

Heating System

The heating system you have when installing the thermal store could affect the price of the job.

For example, if you have an old boiler, its components may not match the new thermal store, meaning that some aspects of the boiler or thermal store must be adjusted for it to work properly.

If your boiler is too old to be compatible with the thermal store, you may need to replace the boiler fully. A new boiler costs around £2,400.

If you're keeping your existing boiler, it's worth getting a boiler service to check there aren't any hidden issues. A boiler service costs around £100.

Location and Ease of Access

Thermal stores need somewhere to live. While it's a good idea to keep the thermal store out of the way, this can affect the amount of time it takes to install the thermal store.

Thermal stores can be installed in utility rooms, cupboards, or in the loft, as long as there's enough space and structural support to hold the weight.

Small cupboards and storage spaces are quite tight, so it may take a bit of manoeuvring to get the thermal store into position.

What's Involved in a Thermal Store Installation?

Installing a thermal store isn't suitable for DIY. The process of installing a thermal store is extremely technical, and should only be completed by a qualified heating engineer.

Most homeowners choose to hire a qualified professional for this job.

With MyJobQuote, you can compare several quotes from local heating engineers. It's fast, free, and there's no obligation to go ahead.

To give you an idea about the different aspects involved in installing a thermal store, we've provided a brief step-by-step guide:

Before the Job Starts

• Isolating the Supplies — The engineer will isolate the water at the mains, and they will also switch off the electricity.
• Draining the Old Cylinder — Before dismantling the thermal store, it will be fully drained.

During the Job

• Removing the Old Cylinder — The pipework will be dismantled, and the old cylinder will be broken down and removed from your home, leaving space for the new one to be installed.
• Running New Pipework — If this is a new thermal store, pipes will be run from your mains supply to the location in which your thermal store will be installed.
• Installing the Thermal Store — The new thermal store will be placed, and the pipework will be connected.

After the Job

• Final Connections — The heating component of the cylinder will be connected, the water and electricity will be reset, and your thermal store will be in action.

Choosing a Thermal Store

Thermal stores bring a lot of different benefits to your household:

• Improved Energy Efficiency - Thermal stores make use of the heat already made in your heating system, helping to reduce energy waste.
• Back-Up Hot Water - If your boiler breaks down, you'll still have a reserve of hot water to use.
• Compatible with Different Energy Sources - Thermal stores work alongside many different energy sources, such as gas, oil, and solar panels.

There are two main types of thermal store to choose from:

Vented Thermal Store Cost

A vented thermal store is the more complex of the two options. This store uses a separate feed and expansion tank and costs around £1,050 to £2,000.

You will have a large hot water storage tank, which will most probably live out of the way in your loft space, which can take up a lot of space.

Unvented Thermal Store Cost

An unvented thermal store cylinder is the more basic of the two options.

The water source comes from your main water, and it's a great option if you don't have a lot of space for a huge water tank. An unvented thermal store costs around £950 to £1,800.

It does mean that if your mains water supply is off, your back-up water tank won't last very long.

The vented thermal store is slightly more expensive than the unvented option due to the big tank. However, both options have a varied price range, from budget options to top-of-the-range brands to choose from.

Checklist: Hiring a Heating Engineer to Install Your Thermal Store

Here's what we suggest looking for when hiring a thermal store installer:

• Are they qualified? Thermal stores are typically unvented cylinders, so installers must be G3 qualified under Building Regulations Part G to carry out this work legally.
• Are they Gas Safe or OFTEC registered? If your thermal store connects to a gas boiler, the installer must be Gas Safe registered. For oil boiler connections, they should be OFTEC registered.
• Do they have insurance? Public liability insurance is something you want a heating engineer to have in case something goes wrong during the installation.
• Will they handle Building Regulations notification? Thermal store installations must comply with Part G and Part L. Only installers who are part of a competent person scheme can self-certify the work.
• Do they have experience? Some manufacturers recommend or require approved installers, so it's worth checking they've fitted the specific model you're buying.
• Is waste removal included in the quote? If they're removing an existing cylinder or tank, check whether disposal is included in the total cost quoted.
• Do they have examples of similar work? Take a look at the photos on their MyJobQuote profile to see previous work.
• Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to read feedback from other homeowners.

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