Here we are again with the second #AskTheArchitect (follow this on twitter or follow me @blockarchitects) post. The Question posted is: 'Why can't we contain the summer heat and re-use it in the winter months?' and this particular question related to housing in Scotland.
It's an interesting question because it taps into the current push by the Scottish Government and EU regarding reducing carbon output.
The fact is that there are many new products on the market place all of which are working towards reducing the carbon footprint of new and used houses. I today saw a VPhase product which regulates the power supply to a house saving £75-£100 a year on electricity costs and it can be fitted to existing houses. This can be fitted by KCC Electrical, Glenrothes
I am not aware that it is possible to store heat for several months in advance but if anyone knows differently then I would love to chat with them. We do however have Air Source Heat Exchangers which are powered by photovoltaics or solar panel on the roof. The energy from the sun powers a motor which extracts heat contained within the house and the recirculates this into an underfloor heating system. Certainly the heat is being recirculated and in theory reduces the running costs however, if we could invent a way for buildings to store heat in the summer and displace this in the winter...well, the inventor will I am sure be a very rich man.
I do not wish anyone to think that block architects are specialists in environmental design as it's an industry which is revolving and moving fast, however I can assure everyone that we are meeting many leading industry professionals with a view to getting this knowledge rooted within our design process.
Comments welcome at the bottom of the blog.
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