A heat accumulator in the fireplace ensures longer-lasting heat, but does not automatically save wood. What a storage tank does, for whom it is worthwhile – and how much more it costs compared to normal ovens.
A heat accumulator in the stove can extend the heating effect without increasing the performance of the stove itself. A YouTube video shows this by the North German stove manufacturer heizwerk24, in which master chimney sweep Stefan Wesenberg explains how such storage systems work and what advantages they can bring.
chip newsletter
CHIP ePower newsletter
Once a week everything about the best e-cars, e-bikes and heat pumps as well as the best sources of electricity: green electricity providers, balcony power plants and solar systems. We will guide you through the energy transition with tests, guides and purchasing advice.
This is how heat storage works in a fireplace
Fireplaces without storage give off their heat quickly. If you want the room to quickly become warm and cozy in frosty temperatures, this is ideal. However, they cool down quickly after the fire goes out. Depending on how well the room is insulated, it can quickly become uncomfortable again.
An integrated heat storage can counteract this. It absorbs part of the heat energy generated and releases it into the room with a time delay. This means the temperature remains stable for longer. Ideally, if you let the fire go out before going to bed, you will still be in a pleasantly warm room in the morning.
However, it is important to note that the storage does not increase the heating output of your oven. It simply ensures a more even heat distribution over several hours.
Not every oven is suitable for storage
However, not every oven is suitable for additional storage. Depending on the type, you will need space around your oven. The classic example is the typical tiled stove that you may remember from your grandparents. Today, professionals tend to use firebricks that are installed around the fireplace. But natural materials such as soapstone can also be used. There is also the option of using water as heat storage.
Storage stove or normal fireplace: costs and differences
On average, storage heaters on the market cost between around 2,000 and 8,000 euros. The prices are largely open depending on the version. The price depends, among other things, on the storage mass, the design and the material used. Models with solid soapstone cladding or integrated heat storage tend to be more expensive than simple fireplaces without storage.
A Swedish stove or other classic fireplace without a storage tank is a cheaper way to start. Solid models start at around 600 to 1,500 euros. If the stove can be connected to an existing chimney, the additional costs remain manageable. If a stainless steel chimney needs to be retrofitted, the total costs are usually around 2,000 to 2,500 euros.
More about fireplaces
About the Author
