In the midst of a severe winter blackout, a Vermont resident has transformed a potential crisis into a remarkable tale of resilience and ingenuity by utilising an innovative concrete thermal battery to provide warmth to her home and neighbors.
This resourceful resident, a client of the family-owned company Green Wave Distribution, implemented their groundbreaking low-voltage radiant heating system, known as STEP HEAT. Unlike conventional heating methods, STEP HEAT harnesses the inherent properties of concrete slabs, effectively converting them into thermal batteries capable of storing and gradually releasing heat.
The team at Green Wave, led by Operations Manager Drew Mauro, expressed their elation upon hearing the news. Mauro shared, “Our client in upstate Vermont experienced a power outage lasting nearly a week during an intense cold spell. However, thanks to the heat retained within her concrete slab, she successfully maintained an interior temperature of 68 degrees for over three days.”
The woman’s home became a welcoming haven for her neighbors, whose conventional oil and gas heating systems struggled to contend with the freezing conditions. Amidst the chilling cold, her home, empowered by the revolutionary thermal battery, served as the sole source of comfort in the neighborhood.
Operating at a mere 3-4 watts/ft², STEP HEAT showcases exceptional efficiency compared to traditional methods, resulting in significant energy and cost savings. Additionally, the system capitalizes on the ability to store excess heat during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, optimizing heat distribution and power usage, leading to impressive energy conservation.
By harnessing the concept of thermal mass, the concrete slab, when combined with the radiant heating system, functions as a reservoir, accumulating surplus heat during off-peak periods when electricity costs are minimised. Subsequently, this stored heat can be gradually released, ensuring a comfortable and consistent indoor climate.
Mauro further emphasised the advantages of transforming concrete slabs into thermal batteries, stating, “This approach offers numerous benefits, including enhanced energy efficiency, consistent comfort, reduced operating costs, durability, reliability, and optimised space utilisation by eliminating the need for additional heating equipment.”
With an estimated energy saving of 40-50% compared to traditional heating methods, the story of this Vermont resident stands as a shining testament to the transformative potential of Green Wave Distribution‘s innovative thermal battery concept, which can revolutionise heating solutions and provide warmth to communities even during power outages.
