Expansion tanks are required in a closed loop heating or chilled water HVAC system to absorb the expanding fluid and limit the pressure within a heating or cooling system. A properly sized expansion, or compression tank, will accommodate the expansion of the system fluid during the heating or cooling cycle without allowing the system to exceed the critical pressure limits of the system. The expansion tank uses compressed air to maintain system pressures by accepting and expelling the changing volume of water as it heats and cools. Some tank designs incorporate a diaphragm or bladder to isolate the expanded water from the pressure controlling air cushion.