What are some common materials used for sensible thermal energy storage?

Water is a common material used for sensible thermal energy storage due to its high specific heat capacity and low cost. Other materials used for sensible storage include phase-change materials (PCMs), such as paraffin wax or salt hydrates, which can store energy by melting or freezing within a specific temperature range. Some PCMs can also be designed to operate within specific temperature ranges, making them suitable for HVAC applications.