New Approaches to Heat Storage in Buildings

Thermal energy storage (TES) is the term usually applied to any storage function for which the principal inputs and outputs are thermal energy. In building applications it may be “hotness” storage for space heating or domestic water heating, “coolness” storage for air conditioning, or storage at room temperature for stabilization within the comfort zone. It can substantially improve the economics of conventional space conditioning, and in solar applications it is virtually indispensible.