WO1990013776A1

WO1990013776A1 - Heating/cooling system and method

Info

Publication number: WO1990013776A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/002693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frederick Bon Jasperson; Buddy Mack Beard; Joe Mike Beard
Original assignee: Frederick Bon Jasperson
Priority date: 1989-05-11
Filing date: 1990-05-11
Publication date: 1990-11-15
Also published as: AU5740590A

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for reducing the energy costs associated with heating or cooling the interior of a structure with electricity. Energy savings are realized by heating or cooling a medium during off peak hours of energy demand, and circulating the heated or cooled medium through thermal storage walls (20) defining an interior of the structure to be heated or cooled. The air within the interior of the structure is circulated by fans (50) to further enhance the capabilities of the system (10).

Description

HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Field of Invention

The invention relates to a system for reducing the energy costs associated with heating or cooling the interior of a structure with electricity. Energy savings are realized by heating or cooling a medium during off peak hours of energy demand, and storing the heated or cooled medium in the walls defining an interior of the structure to be heated or cooled. The air within the interior of the structure may also be circulated to further enhance the capabilities of the system. Bactecrround of the Invention

Energy conservation practiced by an energy consumer can save money and reduce energy consumption. In older structures or homes energy conservation practices may include turning off appliances when not in use, adjusting thermostats or replacing older and inefficient energy consuming equipment with new equipment having greater efficiency.

In new homes non-conventional structural and/or building materials can be used to reduce or conserve energy. Structural composites, laminates or, alternatively, the use of free energy sources, such as solar energy, can be used to lower costs.

U.S. Patent No. 4,393,861, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a heating system comprising a south facing wall for absorbing solar energy. The energy is collected in communicating air channels of the south-facing wall and the subsequently warmed air is then conveyed to storage walls (non- south facing walls) surrounding the remainder of the interior of the building. The heated air is then used to heat interior walls by radiant transfer.

Such a system is quite efficient and can be successfully employed in regions all over the United States. However, the system is slow in changing temperatures on demand, and builders and consumers are becoming reluctant to build and/or buy structures with the capacity to exploit solar energy.

Utilities promote energy conservation among consumers. Such promotion frequently involves instructing consumers to reduce demand for power during peak or overload periods so that the utility can avoid brownouts and other inconveniences. At the same time utilities also desire to increase sales, and promotions regarding reducing demand for power do not further this desire. Of course, the construction of additional and larger plants could allow a utility to meet consumer demand for power during high peak use. However, such power plants would be extremely under utilized during off-peak hours.

Accordingly, consumers are still searching for solutions for lowering energy costs, and the utilities are still searching for solutions for dispensing electricity during off peak hours to increase sales without creating or generating demand during peak hours. A system which functions during off peak hours to electrically heat or cool a medium that can be stored within the structure to be later heated or cooled would satisfy the needs of both consumers and the utilities. That is, consumers could purchase electricity at off-peak hours to obtain savings of up to 50%, and a utility, in facing reduced demand for electricity at peak hours, could defer building new plants normally required to keep pace with increased consumer or industrial demand. The present system provides such a solution. Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to a system that enables consumers to use electrical power during "off peak" hours to heat or cool a medium which is then circulated through walls of a structure which is to be heated or cooled. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the system of the invention showing two storage walls affixed perpendicularly to each other, a trench, and means for heating or cooling a medium conveyed through the trench by the blower; Fig. la shows an alternate embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the trench in section showing air receiving openings connecting the trench to a storage wall.

Fig. 3 is a top view similar to Fig. 2 showing air exit openings returning air from the storage wall to a trench.

Fig. 4 shows the path of warmed or cooled air through wall passages at the junction of a stud wall and a storage wall.

Fig. 5 shows air flow through wall passages around windows or other structures. This figure also shows reverse air flow wherein air enters the storage wall downstream and exists upstream from the entrance.

Fig. 6 is a plot of mean radiant temperature versus air temperature and illustrates the comfort level of person exposed to various temperatures in an environmentally conditioned room when air velocities are changed.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the solid block most useful in constructing the walls of the invention. Fig. 8 is a section of a storage wall built with blocks of

Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the wall of Fig. 8 showing reinforcement bar in place.

Fig. 10. is an end view of the wall of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a top sectional view of a prefabricated wall which can be used to make a storage wall of the invention.

Fig. 12 shows a room defined by 4 storage walls of the system with blowers for circulating the air in a room.

Fig. 13 is a side view of a blower in the storage walls of Fig 11.

Detailed Description of the Invention

"Off peak hours" are defined as the hours of the day i which the consumer demand for electricity is at a reduced demand level relative to the greatest demand required by consumers during a 24 hour period. For example, in the Washingto Metropolitan area off peak hours for consuming electricity ar considered to occur between 12:00a. and 8:00a.m., all da Saturday and Sunday and holidays. However, it is understood tha the term is relative and that peak demand is indeed a functio of demand and not necessarily a function of the time of day.

Mean radiant temperature is defined as the averag temperature of all surfaces radiating in an enclosed area suc as a room. In this disclosure T-_rt represents the mean radian temperature and T_a represents air temperature. Fig. 1 is perspective view of the system of the invention.

The system allows a consumer of electricity to economically buy power from a utility during off peak hours, at cheaper rates, to cool or heat a medium which can be used during such off peak hours to heat or cool a wall mass which then radiates to the interior of a structure defined by the wall mass. When needed the medium is circulated preferably during off peak hours in heat exchange contact with the storage walls of a dwelling or structure which act as a heat sink. The interior of the room defined by at least one storage wall over time assumes the temperature of the storage walls through radiant transfer. Such a system can save a consumer of up to 50% of the conventional cost of electricity. A second advantage of the system is that demand for power during peak hours is reduced allowing the utility to defer plans to replace or enlarge existing power plants. Thus, a utility can save millions of dollars in construction costs and interest on loans.

A third advantage of the system, which is described infra is that the system, on command, will rapidly change the comfort level in a room so that a lag time is not experienced such as that which occurs in the system described in U.S. Patent No. 4,393,861.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional heating/cooling system 10 such as a forced air electrical heating and/or electrically operated air conditioner system 11, with blower 12, connected to a trench 15 for conveying a warmed or cooled medium such as air or water to storage walls 20. The two storage walls 20 shown are connecting perpendicular walls defining the corners of a room. and preferably the entire building interior is defined by such storage walls.

In a preferred embodiment all exterior walls of a building or structure, preferably a dwelling, are composed of storage walls 20 which are the essential components of the heat exchange system of the present invention. In a building an exterior room will possess a single storage wall except in instances in which a room is situated at the corner of a building as shown in Fig. 1. Of course, the four walls of a room may be storage walls 20. As shown, storage walls 20 are preferably constructed of concrete or masonry blocks 21 but may be composed of other materials capable of acting as a heat sink, such as earth, fly ash, clay, brick, metal such as iron or lead, or materials capable of storing and conveying water, etc. The base of storage walls 20 forms a side wall 22 for trench 15. The base of walls 20 is formed of concrete blocks 21 interspersed with base blocks 23 that are wider than blocks 21. The purpose of blocks 23 is discussed infra. Attached to the exterior of storage walls 20 is an insulation panel 24 which is preferably protected from the elements by an exterior finish (not shown) such as known to those in the industry having ordinary skill in the art.

Attached to the interior surface 26 of storage walls 20 are vertically and horizontally oriented furrings 28 and 32. Furrings 28 and 32 are used to affix internal panels 35 made of gypsum board or the like to storage walls 20 covering the interior surface 26 thereof. Furrings 28 and 32 are spaced apart as shown in any one of Figs. 1, 4 and 5 to form air passages 40 between the interior panel 35 and the interior surface 26 of the storage wall. A base board 41 in association with base concrete blocks 23 forms openings, such as at 42 and 43 shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, which communicate the air passages 40 to air trench 15. Shown in Fig. 1 and more clearly in Fig. 3 are venturi blocks 45 secured to the side wall 22 of trench 15 before and after air exit opening 43. Immediately opposite air opening

43, i.e., affixed on the opposing side wall of the trench is a second set of venturi blocks 45.

The system includes one or more variable speed air pumps or blowers 50, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, which may be positioned at remote locations in a structure or room to circulate interior room air (not the air conveyed through the storage walls 20) . It is important to realize that the interior room air does not communicate with the fluid medium supplied to storage walls 20. The interior of the room is substantially sealed from the passages 40 and thus entry of the fluid medium to the interior of a room is avoided.

Fig. 1 shows the movement of electrically heated or cooled air through trench 15 and through storage walls 20 of a room having two exterior walls 20. Air heated or cooled by units 11 is conveyed by blower 12 to trench 15. The air is communicated to storage walls 20 by entering air passages 40 through air entrance opening 42. The air travels through a first storage wall in the serpentine manner shown by the arrows and exists through air exit opening 43 into trench 15. When venturi blocks 45 are arranged as described and shown a throat is created, similar to the throat in a carburetor, that increases the velocity of the air moving through the throat area. This arrangement creates a low pressure region at the air exit opening 43 ensuring that air is returned to the trench. The air is conveyed through trench 15 around the corner or junction of the walls 20 and then the air travels into a second air entrance opening 42 to again circulate in a serpentine manner before exiting the second storage wall at a another air exit opening 43. Heated air moving through air passages 40 transports heat directly to the concrete mass which serves as thermal storage or heat sink. For example, air which is heated up to, for example, 85"F by at least in part an electrical source is passed through the air passages 40 giving up heat directly to the concrete or masonry wall 20 and internal panels 35. The internal panel 35 having a lower mass than the concrete wall will be warmed to a slightly higher temperature than the surface of the concrete, however, the radiant exchange between the two facing surfaces will keep the temperature difference between them small. The concrete wall is heated to a desired temperature, which is less than the temperature of the circulating air. In short, the concrete wall acts as a heat sink and then radiates at its heated temperature to the interior of the room.

Cold air circulated through passages 40 removes heat from the concrete wall. The wall will reach a desired temperature which is warmer than the circulating cold air and will radiate at its cooled temperature to the interior of the room.

The storage walls having a mass of about 150 lbs./sq. ft. radiate at a certain temperature (a temperature less than that of the moving heated air or greater than that of moving cooled air) for periods of up to 72 hours per cycle. A cycle is defined as the period in which the walls will continue to radiate within a temperature range deemed comfortable without adding or subtracting heat from the wall by passing heated or cooled air over the wall. Of course, energy losses will occur and radiating periods will vary. As the wall radiates the temperature of the surface facing the room interior will remain approximately the same temperature as the core temperature of the concrete wall and a closed or insulated room will assume the temperature of the storage walls. In this manner the air temperature of the room and the mean radiant temperature of the room become equal so that the air temperature and mean radiant temperature are controlled. Alternate air flow paths through storage walls 20 are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In Fig. 4 a stud wall is fastened to a storage wall and at the base of the walls intermittent fasteners 46 are used to complete the joining of the two walls and to allow air to continue its passage through air passages 40 of walls 20.

As shown in Fig. 5 air passages 40 can be configured to follow the outlines of windows and other obstructions in the wall. Fig. 5 also shows that the direction of air flow is determined by placement of air entrance openings 42 and air exit openings 43. The wall section at the left-hand side of Fig. 5 shows a "counter flow" path of the air. That is, the air enters the storage wall down stream of the air exiting opening 43 and exits upstream as shown.

Shown in Fig. la is an alternate embodiment wherein warmed or cooled water is circulated through metal coils 51 which may have metal fins 52 for increasing the radiating area of the coils. The coils may be enclosed in sheet metal panels 53 in heat exchange contact with concrete blocks (not shown in Fig. la) of the storage wall 20. The concrete blocks of the storage walls acquire a desired temperature, by acquiring heat, or losing heat- to the water circulating through coils 51 and the storage walls 20 radiate at their acquired temperature as discussed above. Internal panels 35 generally assume the temperature of the concrete blocks of the wall as does the interior of the room so that the air temperature and the mean radiant temperature of a room interior become equal. In such a system an air trench 15 is of course not needed.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. la furrings 28 and 32 are again used to support internal panels 35. However, steel pipe could be used as a support system in place of furring for securing internal panels 35 to the storage wall 20 creating a fire proof heating or cooling system. The pipe could also be used to convey a heated or cooled medium, and the increased support obtained using the steel pipe allows for the construction of a ceiling composed of a storage wall 20 further increasing the storage capacity of the system.

By using the system of this invention, the units supplying hot or cold air to the trench, as shown in Fig. 1, or the system supplying hot or cold water to coils 51 as shown in Fig. la, can be operated continuously during off peak hours to store heat or remove heat from walls. Continuous operation is a much more efficient operation than the cycling which now occurs in conventional systems. In order to further improve the efficiency of the system shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. la variable speed air pumps or blowers 50 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 are remotely positioned within a building or room to circulate the air in the room.

Blowers 50 increase the versatility of the system allowing the system to quickly respond to commands in regard to changing the comfort level of a room. The blowers, as part of the system also, allow the system to actually lower energy requirements. These advantages are explained below in conjunction with the plot shown in Fig. 6.

Four separate conditions usually control the comfort level one experiences in a conditioned enclosure such as a room. These conditions are humidity, air temperature, radiant temperature and air velocity.

As alluded to above the system of the present invention maintains the interior air of a conditioned enclosure at the mean radiant temperature of that enclosure. In obtaining this equilibrium condition drafts within a structure are eliminated or reduced. By ignoring humidity conditions, which are normally between 30 and 60%, and which range is deemed to be a comfortable range, the last remaining condition to be controlled is air velocity. Fig. 6 is a plot taken from the ASHRAE Handbook of

Fundamentals. Pg. 141 (1985) . The plot is taken from experiments conducted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) using an environmental chamber. Along the ordinate of the plot are points corresponding to the mean radiant temperature of a room. Plotted on the abscissa are points corresponding to the air temperature of a room. Air velocity curves or comfort lines are also shown on the plot. The diagonal broken line is a plot of points wherein T_mrt = T_a and this condition, as described above, is achieved using the system of the invention.

Interpretation of the plot begins by noting that any points falling on a comfort line define a condition wherein a person would be physiologically comfortable? such a point is deemed a comfort point. As an extreme case point E on the plot represents a room air temperature of 45°F, a mean radiant temperature of 100^βF and an air velocity of less than 0.1 m/sec. A person would be just as comfortable at conditions represented by point E as he would under conditions represented by point F, a mean radian temperature of 72°F an air temperature of 72^βF and an ai velocity of 0.5 m/sec. Additional interpretation of the plot is as follows:

In a controlled conventionally heated room during winte months the room air temperature is maintained at 72° and th out-of-doors air temperature is about 35°F. By projecting th 72°F air temperature line to intersect the 0.2 m/sec air velocit curve as shown at point A the mean radiant temperature of th room of a conventional structure is found by drawing a secon projection line from the point A to the mean radiant temperatur scale. The 0.2 m/sec point is a rather low value for ai velocity but is a typical value for a mass movement of air cause by convection heat exchange with inside walls and window surface of conventional structures which are cooler than the room air. As shown such a conventionally heated room will have a mea radiant temperature of 65"F and this temperature is very clos to the inventors own measurements. At the conditions represente by comfort point A a person will feel physiologicall comfortable. It is also noted that the person who is comfortabl at 72"F room air temperature with an air velocity of 0.2 m/s an mean radiant temperature of 65^βF (point A) would be just a comfortable in a room with an air temperature of 67^βF, a mea radiant temperature of 67^βF, and an air velocity of less than 0. m/s, which is point B on the plot. Of course, condition represented by point B are achieved using the system of th instant invention wherein T_mrt = T_a. Reducing the air velocity to less than 0.1 m/s is a condition which is easily satisfied by using the system of the instant invention, and cannot be obtained by relying on conventional structures. An air velocity of less than 0.1 m/s can be achieved with the invention because there is no mass air movement caused by convection exchange between the inside mass of a house and the inside air.

A primary difference between the system of the instant invention and convection, or conventional system(s) is that a dwelling built with the system of the invention will have a lower heat loss during winter months. This is because heat loss is a function of the differences in temperatures between the inside and outside temperature of the dwelling. For example, with a 35°F out-of-doors temperature, and an inside air velocity of 0.2 m/s in a room where convection is taking place the temperature difference is 37^βF i.e., the difference between 72° and 35^βF. However, a room conditioned by the present system has a temperature difference of only 32°F, i.e., the difference between 67°F and 35°F. In terms of the energy required to maintain comfort, the conventional convection system requires about 15% more energy then the system of the present invention.

Savings can also be achieved during the summer months. In a conventionally cooled house the inside air temperature is generally maintained at 68"F. assuming and out-of-doors temperature of 95°F (which would be a typical daytime temperature during summer months in western parts of the United States) . From Fig. 6 by projecting the 68°F temperature line to intersect the 0.2 m/s air velocity curve or comfort curve, (point C) , and by drawing, a projection from point C to the mean radiant te perature scale a mean radiant temperature of 72°F is obtained. As described above a person is deemed comfortable at these conditions because the point falls on a comfort curve. Noting that the system of the present invention achieves conditions wherein _mrt = T_a, one would experience the same degree of comfort at 75°F air temperature, 75^βF mean radiant temperature and an air velocity of 1.5 m/s i.e., point D of the chart. However, conditions represented by point D cannot be realized without a means to control the relative velocity as an independent variable. By installing variable speed air pumps a particular individual's comfort needs can be satisfied. That is, by using variable speed air pumps 50 positioned in the corners of the room as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, an air speed of 1.5 m/s can be achieved and the occupant will experience the same degree of comfort as experienced under conditions represented by point C. The important aspect of employing air pumps is that now the system can operate in the summer at _mrt = T_a = 75°F. With an out-of-door temperature of 95"F, the temperature difference between the inside and outside is 20°F. This temperature difference compares with a difference of 27°F for a conventional convection forced air cooling system. In terms of energy necessary to maintain comfort conditions, the convective forced air system will require 35% more energy than the radiant system with air pumps of the invention. Of course the savings is independent of the source of fuel used or the fluctuating rates of a utility.

A further advantage of using the system with variable speed air pumps or blowers 50 is that the blowers add an appreciable degree of owner-control over the comfort conditions within the occupied space and this control is almost instantly adjustable. That is, as discussed above, the air temperature of the room can be controlled to essentially equal the radiating temperatures of the storage walls, i.e., T_mr^ = T_a. When this condition is achieved a simple adjustment to the speed of blowers 50 automatically generates a completely different comfort condition by changing the velocity of the air within the interior of the room without changing temperatures. Thus, instead of controlling air temperature with a thermostat, a comfort level is maintained or changed by controlling air velocity and the mean radiant temperature.

Control, of course, can be varied according to time of day and owner activities. That is the system includes equipment for separately monitoring the time of day, the temperature of the storage walls and thus the mean radiant temperature of a room and the air velocity of the room. The data generated from this equipment is sent to a controller such as a computer which in turn controls the blowers 50 and either the heater or air conditioning equipment 11 of the system to maintain a comfort level or to change a comfort level as demanded. The system can be designed for the whole house, or zoned for individual rooms by employing separate air pumps.

That is, once the system is up and operating the storage walls will radiate at a specific temperature predetermined by an operator and maintained by a thermostat. This specific predetermined temperature is, of course, adjustable. This temperature can also be maintained under the control of a computer receiving temperature data from a thermometer placed within the massive wall. When the storage walls reach their predetermined temperature obtained from the circulating medium and confirmed by the thermometer, the electrical heating/cooling equipment heating or cooling the medium is turned off. Of course, heat gain or loss will occur during an end of a cycle and then the computer or thermostat will activate the heating or cooling equipment as necessary. The difference between the predetermined temperature and the temperature calling for activation of the heating/cooling equipment is also adjustable. The storage walls, during a cycle, radiate at the preset temperature to the interior of a room and the room air temperature will become equal to the mean radiant temperature.

Once T_mrt = T_a is reached at the preset or predetermined temperature a level of comfort will be achieved but the system will be slow to act in changing comfort levels. That is, it make take hours to reduce the mean radiant temperature of a room once that temperature is achieved. In order to more quickly adjust the comfort level the air within the interior of the room may be circulated at a faster or slower rate by adjusting the speed of the air blowers. This can be done manually or automatically by a computer. For instance, when sleeping one feels more comfortable if the interior space is cooler relative to an interior space maintained at conditions for normal activities during the day. As discussed above, reducing the mean radiant temperature, and thus the air temperature of the room by cooling the circulating medium and thus the radiating temperatures of the wall, may take considerable time, i.e., more than six hours. However, by adjusting the fan speed and thus the velocity of the air circulating within the interior of a room a change in the comfort level can be made quickly to the interior of the room. Such adjustments may be automatically effected by monitoring the operating speeds of the fan and the time of day. That is, fan adjustment and thus interior air speed can be controlled by a computer which monitors the time of day so that when the bed-time hour is at hand the speed of the fans is computer adjusted to increase the velocity of the air circulating in the interior of the room. In the morning the computer would re-adjust the speed of the fans for day-time conditions, and thus the velocity of the interior air would be reduced. Although storage walls 20 of the system can be fabricated from conventional concrete block and assembled in conventional manners, the storage walls are preferably constructed by the method as set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,771,584 which is incorporated herein by reference. The invention disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,771,584 relates to using redwood strips or lays to align each course of concrete block with adjacent courses by automatically providing leveling at the bottoms of the blocks, particularly when the block is laid with a "stacked bond" (i.e., one block directly above and in line with the one below) instead of a "running" bond (wherein an alternate courses are offset by the width of a half-block) . In other words, instead of attempting to make a more suitable block, the invention set forth in the '584 patent negates the effect of irregularities in blocks through the use of, in essence, a remanufaσtured rigid mortar board. In the invention of the '584 patent, a hollow concrete block is utilized having an opening extending through the block from top to bottom when laid in a wall in the normal orientation of such concrete blocks. The block is open, especially when utilizing a stacked bond arrangement of blocks, so that the σoncrete grout can be poured into the open-end area to bind adjacent stacks of blocks together. Of course, normally horizontally reinforcing bars of steel or the like will be included in the walls, and will serve to hold the walls together, but for the most secure construction each stack of concrete blocks are grouted to the adjacent stack.

The hollow block used in the method of the '584 patent can be used to construct the storage walls of the present invention but such a block is not the most practical block to use. The hollow concrete block is the block that the industry uses to construct walls because it is light-weight and is relatively easy to transport. In fact the use of heavier blocks is opposed by the block industry because the block industry maximizes profits by minimizing transportation costs and therefore a heavier block is not produced. However, forming walls with a hollow or light¬ weight block is not the most efficient method to practice the present invention. The greater the mass of the wall the greater the storage capacity of the wall and therefore a wall composed of lead or even a wall that incorporates water as a heat sink, or even a wall constructed with a block having a greater mass than the industry standard should be used in the invention. In fact the block for use in the system of the invention is preferably solid. Illustrated in Fig. 7, is an example of a solid block 60 which can be used to construct the wall used as the heat sink in the system of the present invention with air circulating through air passages 40.

As shown in Fig. 7 solid block 60 is composed of a block body 61, a top surface 66, two flat faces 68 and a flat bottom (not shown) . Block 60 has a longitudinal centered V-shaped groove 62 on its top approximately 7/8" deep and 6.5 inches long, and V-shaped centered grooves 64 about 7 inches high centrally located on each side of the block, directly below top centered groove 62. The depth of grooves 64 is equal to the depth of centered groove 62. The depth of the center groove 62 is not critical. Each half 66 of the top surface of block 60 is approximately 2.25 inches wide and 7.5 inches long, and as shown halves 66 are separated by longitudinally shaped groove 62. The block has at least two steps 67 or bearing surfaces located as shown at the top of faces 68. Faces 68 are about one inch wide, seven inches long and extend approximately 1/8 inch beyond the edges of block body 61 and top surfaces 66. Steps 67 are approximately one inch steep. All measured lengths, widths and heights are approximate and one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the dimensions are not critical and may be changed. It must be appreciated that this disclosed block design is only one of many possible configurations for a solid block. So long as the block can be fabricated with horizontal and vertical grooves, the purpose of which is explained infra such a block can be used in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The density of such block ideally is between 100 - 150 lbs/ft³ and preferably about 135 lbs/ft³ - 150 lbs/ft³, but blocks constructed from materials lighter than concrete or cement, such as fly ash, may be used. Fly ash blocks have a density of between 60-100 lbs/ft³. Although blocks produced from fly ash are not an ideal block from a density stand point, fly ash, a by¬ product produced from cool burning electrical plants, is an abundant resource. Approximately 42 million tons of fly ash are produced in the United States and the disposal of this inert material is becoming rather difficult. It is estimated that if 778,000 homes are built per year from blocks constructed from fly ash all of fly ash in the United States could be incorporate into a useful product. The useful product, incorporated into the system of the invention would make electrical heating and coolin more efficient thus reducing CO2, S0₂ and nitrogen oxide emissio levels from coal burning electrical plants. Thus, the chemical agents suspected in the phenomena of global warming and acid rai can be reduced. Shown in Figs. 8 - 10 is the construction of wall from blocks of the invention.

Blocks produced from fly ash, concrete etc., may be arrange to form a wall as discussed below.

In a first course of solid block laid side-to-side, as show in Figs. 8 through 10 the sides of faces 68 of a first block abu the sides of faces of adjacent blocks. In laying the blocks i this manner 1/4 inch recesses 69 are created between the bloc bodies along with diamond-shaped channels 70 which communicat with recesses 69. The aligned blocks also create an elongate horizontal recess and channel more fully described below whic is shaped similar to the shape of recesses 69 and 70.

To create a wall or a built-up structure with the blocks a shown in Fig. 8, a pair of associated redwood strips 75 are lai on bearing surfaces 67 of the blocks 60 and act as a mortarbed and a next course of blocks is then stacked upon the redwoo strips. Redwood strips 75 are about 11/8 to 2 inches high bu may be bigger. By creating multiple courses side grooves 64 o a block on the second course are aligned with the side groove 64 of the blocks of a first course creating vertically aligne diamond-shaped channels 70 as seen more clearly in Fig. 9 Additionally, because a top course of blocks is separated from a bottom course of blocks as shown more clearly in Fig. 10, horizontal recesses 71 are created which communicate with a V- shaped channel 72 by aligning blocks in a course as described. Thus, assembled walls have multiple courses of blocks visually and physically separated by horizontally frictionally secured nailable redwood strips 75. To complete an integral solid wall with multiple courses, grout is poured in the recesses 69 created between the blocks, and grout is also poured through the diamond- shaped channels 70 and horizontal recesses 71 and in V-shaped channels 72. Recesses 69 and 71 should be large enough to allow for the pour of grout but small enough to ensure a bond of high strength between blocks. Since smaller mortar joints create stronger bonds a balance must be attained in determining the size of recesses 69 and 71.

Such walls may be built without reinforcing steel, however, it is preferable to use horizontal 76 and vertical 77 reinforcing steel bars. This preference stems from the fact that the wall structure is provided with additional support and from the fact that metal reinforcement bar also aids in the transfer of heat from the heat sink, i.e. from the massive wall to an interior wall, and such reinforcement bar allows the massive wall to acquire heat from the trench air at a faster rate. The more reinforcement bar used, the faster the rate of transfer and the faster the system responds to commands from the computer or controller for temperature changes. Typically the reinforcement bar will make up about 5 to 25% of the volume a wall and this volume will provide structural support and will provide the system with the ability to speed the reheating or recooling of a room using the system.

As shown, vertically aligned bars 77 can be inserted through the vertically diamond shaped channel 70 created by the abutting blocks, and horizontal bars 76 can be placed through the longitudinal V-shaped elongated channels 72 created by aligning the tops of the block in a single course. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 horizontal bars may be alternated in a sine/cosine pattern to tie vertical reinforcing bars 77 to the built-up structure to increase stability. After assembly, grout can be poured down the recesses 69 of the block, and grout can be poured down the vertical diamond shaped channels 70 and through elongated channels 71 and 72 of the wall to fabricate a completely solid wall having a density approximating that of a preferred block or a greater density. In such a system the ratio of grout to block is 1:9 versus 6:4 for a conventional system. With such a small amount of grout a single unskilled worker can grout the wall while the wall is being constructed.

In order to ensure quality and reduce expenses relating to building structures or dwellings it is desirable to prefabricate as much of a building as possible away from the building site. Accordingly, walls for use in the system of the present inventio may be prefabricated, and wall mass may be added to th prefabricated structure at the job site, creating a heat storag portion of storage wall 20. Fig. 11 shows a top sectional view of such a prefabricate structure. As shown, the rigid insulation 90 of the wall i sandwiched between wood panels 91 and 92, or similar suitabl structures to create an exterior structural component. Dry wal 94 which faces the inside of a building is attached to stee studs 96 to provide passages for conveying the warmed or cooled air of the system. A layer of corrugated steel 98 is attached to the other side of the studs creating a prefabricated interior structural component. These two structural components can be transported separately and joined together at the job site, or shipped as a single unit already joined by a steel framework 99 shown in dotted lines which separates the interior and exterior structural components creating a void between the components. This single structure can then be erected at the site, and wall mass is added to the component wall structures by pouring concrete 100 into the wall void at the job site. The wall system can then be connected to an air trench 15 and the heating and cooling units described supra. While the invention has been particularly shown and described in reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A system for controlling the temperature of the interior space of a building at least in part by the use of electrical energy during off peak hours of electrical energy consumption, comprising: a fluid medium, means for electrically heating or cooling said medium, said interior space being defined by at least one massive storage wall capable of radiating heat to an interior space of the building and being cooled or heated to a predetermined adjustable mean radiant temperature by said medium, said massive storage wall having an associated exterior insulation and an associated interior panel, with the massive storage wall being in spaced relation to said interior panel, the internal panel and the massive storage wall defining communicating passage means therebetween for conveying the medium therebetween; said storage wall radiating at about the temperature of the medium to the interior space so that air temperature of the interior space is equal to the mean radiant temperature? and control means for controlling the perceived comfort level of the interior space to an individual therein by regulating the velocity of the air in the interior space relative to the mean radiant temperature to produce a perceived physiological temperature perception by the individual which is within the comfort level for that individual.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one massive wall is a solid continuous wall.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one massive wall is constructed of solid block.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said medium is air.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said massive wall is formed by pouring concrete between spaced prefabricated exterior and interior components.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said massive wall is formed of hollow blocks.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said solid block has a longitudinally centered top groove and at least two side grooves on each side of the said block communicating with said top groove.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said block has top surface separated by said centered top groove and at least two bearing surfaces, each bearing surface being associated with a side face of the block for receiving wood strips.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein said at least one massive wall is masonry wall.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said at least one massive wall has a mass of about 150 lbs./sq. ft.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said interior space is substantially sealed from said communicating passage means defined by the spaced relation between the internal panel and the massive storage wall.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid medium is not heated in part by solar energy.

13. A method for heating or cooling the interior space of a building using at least in part electrical energy during off peak hours of electrical energy consumption, comprising: heating or cooling a fluid medium; circulating said fluid medium to one or more storage walls radiating to and defining the interior space of a building so that said one or more storage walls radiate at about the temperature of the fluid medium to the interior space and an air temperature of the interior becomes equal to the mean radiant temperature, each said storage wall having an exterior insulation panel, an interior panel, and a massive wall in spaced relation to said interior panel, means between the panel and the massive wall for conveying the medium therebetween, said massive wall acting as a heat sink? moving air within the interior space? and changing the comfort level in said interior space by controlling the velocity of the moving air in the interior of the space.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said massive wall is composed of a solid block comprising a block body having a to surface separated by a centered longitudinal groove, two load bearing surfaces each being located on a side fac of the block body and extending beyond said block body in tw side directions parallel to said centered longitudinal groove? and vertically aligned grooves communicating with said centere longitudinal groove, said vertically aligned grooves bein positioned on opposing sides of the block body said opposin sides being positioned on the block body about 45° relative t said side faces.

15. A solid block for building a wall structure comprising: a block body, said block body having side faces for abuttin side faces of adjacent blocks of a wall structure, and top an bottom faces? said side faces having at least one vertical groove, equal in length to the length of the side face, and said top and bottom faces having at least one horizontal groove, equal in length to the length of the top and bottom face respectively.

16. The solid block of claim 15 having a density of between 90 and 150 lb./ft.³.

17. The solid block of claim 15 which is mainly composed of fly ash.

18. A built-up structure comprising a plurality of the blocks defined in claim 15, said blocks being disposed side-to- side in a plurality of courses separated by associated pairs of nailable strips, each member of said associated pair of strips being positioned on opposite sides of the built-up structure in parallel relation to one another? said courses defining a plane and forming elongated longitudinal channels between said courses, and vertical channels between vertical rows of blocks? and a hardenable composition poured into said vertical and longitudinal channels for forming an integral built-up structure.

19. The built-up structure of claim 18 further comprising a horizontal reinforcement bar positioned within at least certain of the elongated longitudinal channels of said courses, and vertical reinforcement bar positioned within at least certain of said vertical channels for support and for facilitating heat transfer of the built-up structure.

20. The built-up structure of claim 19 wherein said nailable strips are redwood strips.

21. A solid block comprising a block body having a top surface separated by a centered longitudinal groove. two load bearing surfaces each being located on a side face of the block body and extending beyond said block body in two side directions parallel to said centered longitudinal groove? and vertically aligned grooves communicating with said centered longitudinal groove, said vertically aligned grooves being positioned on opposing sides of the block body said opposing sides being positioned on the block body about 45° relative to said side faces.

22. A prefabricated wall comprising an exterior structural component including an insulation layer sandwiched between wood layers? an interior structural component including drywall and corrugated metal layers in spaced relation to one another and being separated by furring? means for joining said exterior and interior structural components in spaced relation thereto creating a void space for receiving a hardenable composition.