Business Details
50 Years
experience
Solar Hot Water Storage Tanks & Heat Exchangers Since 1976
Since 1976, STSS CO has specialized in designing and manufacturing innovative thermal storage solutions for solar, wood/coal, and off-peak electric heating systems. Our product lineup includes collapsible water storage tanks, copper heat exchanger coils, and energy management controls engineered for durability and efficiency. Through decades of research and collaboration with institutions like Bucknell University, we've refined our patented vertical spiral coil design to achieve 20% superior heat transfer performance.Our systems enable homeowners to store solar energy for multi-day use while maintaining optimal heat stratification. With tanks up to 5,000 gallons that collapse for easy installation, we've eliminated traditional size limitations while reducing shipping costs through lightweight construction. Our Energy Management Control system automates heat distribution and backup fuel integration, maximizing system efficiency across residential and commercial applications.
Services
Solar Water Storage Tanks
Heat Exchange Coils
Cold Water Storage Tanks
Energy Management Controls
Fire Protection Tanks
Domestic Water Storage
Thermal Storage Systems
Heat Exchanger Coils
Off-Peak Electric Systems
Custom Tank Solutions
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We have over 45 years of experience in thermal storage solutions
- Our collapsible tanks feature patented vertical spiral heat exchangers
- Bucknell University-verified performance metrics for heat transfer efficiency
- Lightweight construction reduces shipping and installation costs
- Custom-engineered systems for solar, wood, and off-peak electric applications
Services
Solar Water Storage Tanks
Our collapsible solar water storage tanks feature patented vertical spiral heat exchangers for optimal thermal stratification. Available in capacities from 160 to 5,000 gallons, these lightweight aluminum tanks collapse for easy transport through standard doorways. The unique design maintains heat separation while reducing shipping costs by up to 40% compared to traditional steel tanks.
Heat Exchange Coils
Engineered copper and PEX heat exchange coils deliver 20% superior heat transfer performance through vertical spiral design. Tested by Bucknell University, these self-purging coils maintain near-perfect tank stratification while handling up to 86,965 BTUs/hour. Dual-stacked configurations support solar arrays with 10-16 collectors for commercial-scale installations.
Energy Management Controls
Our Energy Management Control system automates heat distribution between renewable sources and backup fuel systems. This hardwired solution monitors tank temperatures to optimize energy use, reducing fossil fuel consumption by maximizing stored heat utilization. Complete with installation diagrams, it integrates seamlessly with existing heating infrastructure.
Cold Water Storage Tanks
NSF-certified cold water storage tanks provide durable solutions for fire protection and domestic water needs. Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, these 275-5,000 gallon tanks feature R-14 insulation and automatic fill systems. The collapsible design enables easy installation in residential and commercial settings while maintaining water quality standards.
Fire Protection Systems
FIRESITE certified water storage tanks deliver reliable on-site fire protection with capacities from 275 to 5,000 gallons. Constructed with embossed aluminum exteriors and EPDM liners, these systems include brass float valves and screened vents to maintain water readiness. The compact design allows installation in standard building spaces while meeting NFPA 22 performance standards.
Questions
What makes STSS tanks different from traditional steel water heaters?
Our collapsible aluminum tanks maintain heat stratification better than steel while being 40% lighter. The patented vertical spiral heat exchangers provide 20% more efficient heat transfer compared to conventional coil designs.
Can STSS systems integrate with existing heating infrastructure?
Yes, our Energy Management Control system seamlessly integrates with existing boilers and heating systems, automatically switching between renewable energy sources and backup fuel as needed without requiring system modifications.
How do the heat exchangers maintain temperature stratification?
The vertical spiral coil design prevents cold water mixing through strategic flow direction, maintaining distinct temperature layers in the tank to maximize usable hot water storage capacity.
What installation advantages do STSS tanks offer?
Tanks ship collapsed in 19-inch wide crates, allowing easy transport through standard doorways. Two people can install a 1,205-gallon tank in under an hour without specialized equipment or structural modifications.
How are performance claims verified?
Bucknell University's two-year engineering study confirmed our heat exchanger performance metrics. We provide detailed technical specifications and BTU ratings validated through independent laboratory testing.