19 THERMAL WALL TECHNOLOGY BENEFITS

The following are 19 identified Thermal Wall Technology Benefits:

1. The TWT system can be utilized with conventional heat-pump technology. The lower operating temperatures will increase the efficiency of the heat-pump by 39 to 60%. The heat-pump can also be operated at night or off-peak electrical periods, reducing pressure on the nation’s electrical grid system.
2. Thermal mass temperature moderation: Unlike conventional construction the substantial accessible thermal mass has far greater influence on the interior climate via thermal amelioration by radiating heat to the interior or absorbing heat from the interior depending on the temperature of the thermal mass.
3. Lower solar thermal collector and storage temperatures: Solar collector efficiency decreases as the temperature of the collector absorber and heat storage media (generally water) increases. The substantial mass of the thermal walls will enable the transfer of energy at very low temperatures, substantially increasing collector efficiency seasonally as much as 69%.
4. Enhance solar availability: The lower collector operating temperature enables collection of solar energy on cloudy and hazy days, expanding the useful time periods and thus enabling solar to provide a higher percentage of heating needs. 
5. Thermal mass absorption of passive solar energy: The ICFs provide both structural support and thermal storage. Energy and temperature balance is critical to both efficiency and comfort of a passive solar structure. The substantial and accessible thermal mass will assist in absorbing the passive solar energy, thus increasing the passive solar systems comfort and efficiency.
6. Hydronic distribution of passive solar energy: Temperature balancing of a passive solar home can be tricky. In traditional passive solar homes, if the interior absorbing mass becomes too warm then the windows must be shaded or the heat vented. However, with the TWT system, if the floors overheat the heat can be transferred via hydronic tubing in the floor to the walls or floors in other areas of the home.  The transfer of energy lowers the temperature of the floor receiving the solar inputs enabling additional capture of energy, thus increasing the efficiency of the passive solar system by 50 to 75%, while creating a more comfortable interior environment.
7. Space cooling: The thermal walls will provide both passive and mechanical space cooling. The thermal wall system will through thermal amelioration, passively (without mechanical systems) absorb large amounts of heat from warm air in the cooling season months without significant temperature increases in the thermal mass, thus cooling the interior. In many climates the solar collectors can be operated at night to cool the thermal mass of the walls. These two features may eliminate or reduce the need for active cooling infrastructure and associated operational costs in many climatic regions, increasing the cost efficiency of the solar collector system. The more arid the region the greater the potential of this feature. Additional research will be required to  determine the suitability of this feature in high humidity climates.
8. Hydronic heating and cooling: Operational costs for hydronic heating are less expensive than most other options, thus reducing operational energy demand.
9. Reduction in supplemental solar storage: The thermal wall system will significantly reduce the size of the supplemental storage since heat is now stored in the walls; thus, the space requirement and cost of the supplemental heat storage is significantly reduced. The smaller size of the supplemental storage also enables the solar system to achieve a usable higher temperature more quickly.
10. The cooling of the thermal walls can occur during the night at off-peak electrical times. The heating of the walls using conventional heat sources can also be conducted during off-peak electrical periods. This reduces the pressure on the nation’s electrical grid system and could qualify for off-peak discount electrical rates.

The Thermal Wall Technology delivers heat via infrared radiation (IR) also referred to as radiant heat. There are numerous benefits related to efficiency, comfort and health when comparing infrared vs. traditional air convection heat.

11. Retention of heat by re-radiation: IR energy is either absorbed and re-radiated or reflected, remaining within the interior of the structure for a longer period. Unlike the heating of air molecules in a convection system which will escape or be ejected from the home, thus creating efficiencies over traditional systems.
12. IR heats objects and not air: IR generally does not heat air it heats objects, thus the air which will escape or be ejected does not contain as much energy, increasing the efficiency of the building.
13. Constant heat comfort: IR moves at the speed of light without creating drafts thereby enabling IR to deliver a comfortable level of heat with less energy.
14. IR heat is a more efficient heat source: IR heats the objects it strikes and not the air, as such, the interior air temperature can be maintained at approximately 5-8˚F lower while still maintaining comfort levels, which equates to a 12-19% reduction in heat energy.
15. IR radiates in a straight line: This straight-line movement of IR does not heat air, it heats objects and thus minimizes temperature stratification. This lowers the temperature at elevated levels in the interior and minimizes the need to operate fans in the winter, which subsequently eliminates energy use, drafts, convection loops and reduces air entrainment of dust, mold and other pollutants.
16. IR does not dry out the air: Unlike other conventional convection heating systems which dries out air, IR does not (to the same extent), thus creating a healthier and more comfortable environment, soothing dry skin conditions, minimizing allergy symptoms, keeping throat and nasal passages hydrated helping the inhabitants’ breath better and sleep more comfortably.
17. IR eliminates drafts and enables better control of air exchanges: Since the energy is not being pumped into the air which constantly needs re-energizing and replacement, the precise air exchanges to ensure a healthy interior can be achieved.
18. IR eliminates the traditional forced air convection heating system and therefore requires less air movement and fewer air exchanges, creating efficiencies in energy loss and consumption. This equates to less dust, pollen and other pollutants introduced to the interior environment from the onset.
19. IR dries out surfaces: This heating of surfaces helps reduce mold and mildew thus reducing costs to control mold and mildew and the associated health costs.