I propose that a high capacity, central compressor be placed in a central location in the home. Insulated coolant pipes would run to an "outlet" next to each electrical outlet in the home. You simply "plug" in the coolant tube, and the central compressor does the work for the heat pump, refrigerator, freezer, etc. Instead of a thermostat on each appliance turning on and off it's own compressor, it would just open or close a solenoid valve. The waste heat could go to help heat the home in the winter, or through a heat exchanger to heat the water in the summer or when the heater's off (a la [Trodden's] Freeze-Geyser idea). Another option for the waste heat would be a "warm box" in the kitchen to keep the food warm. For off-peak times, perhaps the compressor could save time by filling an insulated reservoir with coolant, and then cut off until more cooling was needed. Another option would be to cut out the coolant going through the home altogether, and use salt water in the pipes.
-- fogfreak, Mar 29 2003

This type of system could come close http://home.howstuffworks.com/ac5.htm
Chilled water cooling system [half, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Maybe you want something like a chilled water system? Pretty common, without the "outlet" part though as far as I know.
-- half, Mar 30 2003



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