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How does a district heating transfer station work?
Anyone who heats with district heating own heating system in the buildingno oil or gas boiler, no chimney cleaning, no fuel storage. But how does the heat get into the house? The answer: Via a transfer station.
In this article we show how a transfer station workswhat types there are and why it is a central element in every district heating connection.
GOOD TO KNOW
What is a transfer station?
The transfer station is the link between the district heating network and the domestic installation. It ensures that the heat generated in the network reaches the building in a safe and controlled manner and performs important tasks such as
Heat transfer
Pressure separation
Temperature control
Consumption measurement
🛠️ Direct or indirect connection?
There are two main types of transfer stations:
|
Type |
Description |
Use |
|
Indirect |
With heat exchanger: |
Standard in Switzerland, |
|
Direct |
Mains heating water |
Possible for small systems |
An indirect station is used in over 90% of cases in Switzerland, primarily because it offers security, protection against grid disturbances and better controllability.
🔍 What is included in a transfer station?
A modern transfer station is compact, pre-assembled and space-saving. It consists of:
Heat exchanger (stainless steel plate heat exchanger)
Control valve with temperature sensor (for automatic flow control)
Heat meter (for billing)
Circulation pump (if required)
Shut-off valves and non-return valves
Optional: hot water preparation with fresh water station
The components are usually pre-assembled on a mounting plate or in a housing and are supplied as a compact station.
🏘️ Where is it installed?
The transfer station is usually installed in the basement of the building or in a plant room. Where the boilers used to be. It needs:
a pipe connection to the district heating network (flow and return),
power connection (for control and pump),
and accessibility for maintenance and meter reading.
🧠 Advantages for owners and operators
Low maintenance: no burner, no chimney, no combustion
Space-saving: compact station at <1 m²
Efficient: temperature and volume control optimizes consumption
Integration into building management system possible
Conclusion: Small but decisive
The transfer station is the heart of every district heating system in the building: compact, safe and efficient.
It ensures that the central heat is also used optimally at building level, without the need for a boiler.
