THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE 3RD MILLENNIUM PROJECT

WHAT IS THERMAL WALL TECHNOLOGY?
Thermal Wall Technology (TWT) is a new, patent pending, innovative construction technique, using conventional construction materials, in which the shell and floors of the building act as an integrated heat storage and heating/cooling delivery system. When utilized in a holistic manner with other energy reduction strategies overall efficiencies can be improved over 75% when compared to conventional wood frame construction techniques. The economically affordable TWT provides one of the most structurally sound building systems and provides the safest, most healthy and comfortable building option on the market today, while achieving the lowest possible energy consumption. TWT innovative construction technique has demonstrated the following outcomes during modeling:
  • Increased heat pump efficiency by 39 to 60%, depending on the ambient temperature (modeled by University of Southern Indiana, Pott College of Engineering)
  • Increased collection efficiency of hydronic solar collectors by approximately 69% (modeled using Asheville, NC 2010 data)
  • Increased collection efficiency of passive solar by approximately 50 to 75%
  • Provided over 90% space cooling at little or no cost due to in-situ thermal mass amelioration (modeled using Asheville, NC 2010 data)
  • Increased overall structure energy efficiency by approximately 75 to 85% when compared to current conventional construction
The Thermal Wall Technology (TWT) embraces both new technologies and ancient arts and serves as a catalyst generating a variety of energy efficiencies, comforts and health/security benefits. The technology has the potential to enhance the overall efficiency of a structure by over 75% and make net-zero energy, off-grid homes and commercial structures far more physically and economically attainable. The technology is applicable through out all climatic regions and can be utilized with conventional heating systems such as heat pumps, high efficiency systems such as ground-source heat pumps and renewable energy systems, such as solar thermal hydronic systems and passive solar construction features. However, the maximum efficiencies are realized when solar thermal collector systems and passive systems are incorporated. For more information on how the TWT works, please visit The Technology page and for definitions of terms, please visit the Glossary page.

Pueblo Indian's Adobe Cliff Dwellings

Over a 1,000 years ago native Americans utilized stone and adobe to construct complex villages in south-facing cliffs to take advantage of passive energy and to provide a secure home. In the summer the cliffs would shade the thermal mass keeping the interior rooms cooler and making the intense southwest temperatures more tolerable. During the winter the mass of the stone or adobe would absorb the suns energy throughout the day. The heat would then migrate through the thick walls and at night radiate the heat energy to the interior of the building to the benefit of the inhabitants.

With the advent of low cost energy in the 20th century and the invention of low cost insulative materials, thermal mass features utilized historically in construction were materially abandoned. However, with increasing energy costs came the demand for better building systems and so the concept of the Thermal Wall Technology was born. 41% of the nation's energy is utilized in the operation of residential and commercial buildings. Should the 3rd Millennium Project demonstration project perform as modeled the secondary associated benefits resulting from energy reduction would represent:

  • One of the most energy reducing technologies ever invented
  • One of the most air pollution technologies ever invented
  • One of the most carbon dioxide technologies ever invented
Equally important is these benefits are achieved with no societal or lifestyle sacrifices as the TWT home is stronger, safer, healthier, more comfortable and exceeds traditional wood frame construction in every aspect.     This website will explain how incorporating modern technology with ancient technology can create a superior habitat. Please enjoy the website and be sure to view the Sponsors page to learn more about the products and services used in the demonstration home. Please check back from time to time to see how the construction is going and to get results from the post construction research and analysis.