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Thermal Heat Store
This system turns conventional thinking on its head but it works extremely well. Basically, you have a well insulated cylinder that is kept warm 24 hours a day either by Solar Energy and a low water content boiler or an internal burner and pump that is controlled by a cylinder thermostat so the boiler will shut off once the store is full. This will cut in again quickly when temperature in the store starts to drop. In the top half of the cylinder there is a coil of copper pipe though which cold water from the main supply is taken, via a pressure reducing valve, this then picks up the heat from within the cylinder and taken via a thermostatic mixing valve to the hot tap. (Mains hot water) The central heating water is taken from the bottom half of the cylinder by a second pump, controlled by a standard clock/room thermostat (can be connected to different zones as in S Plan) This type of cylinder is sometimes called a boiler mate and is specially designed for the job
The heat store shown also has an electrical back up, so if the gas fails the electrical heater will supply the heat. This can also be connected to an Aga or any other source of heat. If you like to fill the bath up quickly and regularly then consider this type of system, also a quick heating response from a relatively small boiler.
I predict that because they can run off solar energy, these systems will become very popular as we become more energy conscious.
Advantages
Fast instant hot water
Cheap running cost
Reliable
Disadvantages
This is a large dedicated cylinder
Its possible to deplete the stored supply if connected to a low heat source
More expensive to install