h a l f b a k e r yContrary to popular belief
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A large swimming-pool sized cavity under the driveway is filled with sand and surrounded by insulating layers on all sides. The pitch-black driveway above it will itself be used for solar thermal absorption, catching the sun's heat which is channeled into the thermal battery below for storage.
Through
the use of thermal diodes, the stored heat can be tapped for heating hot water, or even for cooking purposes. During winter months, heat can be channeled back into the driveway to melt snow/ice.
In this way, we can store up thermal energy for when we need to use it.
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Passive thermal storage is a great way to save on both cooling and heating. Slab on grade construction acts as a sort of thermal capacitor, it retains the heat you get from having the heat on and the cool from having the air conditioner on so evens everything out as ambient temps change through the day. |
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Don't need anything fancy, concrete with water pipes work. [+] |
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