TMC INC Heating Concept

Heating – GEO Cell - Solar Battery (Heat)/ Cooling Cell 

A GEO Cell is a means of storing energy during the summer months when solar energy is abundant. How can this be done? One way would be to install full 8 to 10 ft tall basement panels instead of frost walls for a garage that is connected to a house. The basement wall panels are already insulated on the exterior side and the radiant tubing in each panel will absorb the heat and redistribute to the rest of the structure. Next lay down insulation at the lowest level, over virgin ground. Fill this are with an aggregate such as Item 4, this material will help minimize air spaces, strategically place boulders and radiant tubing. Loops for heating the mass will be placed on the bottom and loops to collect the heat will be near the top. Heat with solar in the summer months and store for winter use. Use wood boiler to help charge system in winter months along with solar array.

Thermal Mass Monthly Temps ~

A monthly overview of what systems are running, mass temperatures and what energy is being stored. Starting with the end of the heating season:

March

Near the end of this month the heating system will be turned off. The inside temp will be 70 degrees.

April, May and June

When the mass inside is at 70 degrees and the outside temperatures are average, the mass tends to maintain a constant temperature.

At the end of April the temperature inside will be 70.

At the end of May the Temp will be 70.

June the temperature of the mass will start to rise.

By using the BCL (Basement Cooling Loop) and a circulating pump tied to a thermostat the structures temperature can be maintained.

July and August

During these months the GEO Cells can be charged by using a solar array.

During peak cooling season the mass may be brought down to 65 degrees.

A dehumidifier and or air-conditioner may be needed to help control humidity.

September, October

Near the end of August or beginning of Sept. the cooling gets turned off.

Concrete naturally starts to warm up bringing the temp back up to the 70 degrees.

Solar array will still be heating GEO Cells.

November and December

Use solar array to maintain 70 degrees inside.

Use GEO Cell to compensate when solar is not enough.

Stove/Boiler can be used as back up. The heat that it produces will first be absorbed into the concrete structure. After the structure is up to temperature the wood boiler can then charge the GEO Cell.

January and February

You will still be using Solar as main source of heat.

Use the GEO Cells up Completely

Wood Stove Burning at night and solar during the day will maintain a comfortable 70 degree plus temperature inside.

Innovative Efficiencies

            We all know that the awareness of the need to conserve energy has been developing for some time and is now wide spread. The field of events that provide opportunities for development of practical and stable mechanisms is now upon us.  This gives us the ability to implement change in basic building protocols to enhance energy conservation. Using Thermal Mass as an integrated component of any appropriately sized building reduces its energy operating consumption and has the desired effects of true economy in the preservation of our resources, our environment, and our families’ future.

            Each of the elements commended upon are expandable through theory, practical application, physical results and translation into actual economics on both individual and community levels.

            As in all successful endeavors the simpler and more basic the idea, the more profound the results. Thermal Mass Construction is simply that, a basic application of energy absorption, storage, and reradiation.  In TMC we place large amounts of mass using concrete precast walls, and position the concrete walls inside of a well insulated shell.  Unlike traditional methods of heating or cooling the air inside the structure, TMC maintains the mass’s temperature at approximately 70 degrees year round creating a more comfortable, consistent temperature. By combining TMC with solar hot water and photovoltaic components to your home we will approach a practical self sustaining structure.

            The concept of Thermal Mass Construction could be considered the Bridge that closed the gap between the amount of energy a home consumes and the maximum sustainable output produced from an appropriately sized Solar System.