As we continue to face the challenges of climate change, one of the most pressing issues is finding ways to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Small Planet Supply and WaterDrop Systems are tackling this problem head-on by using a revolutionary technology in a new system that has the potential to transform the way we heat and store water in multi-family buildings.
Read MoreIn a world where energy prices are rising, power grids are being overtaxed, and evolving building codes are pushing for electrification, a greater need for shifting electricity loads is emerging. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can help by allowing energy to be stored during off peak hours for later use when it is needed most. Shifting energy loads off peak is a strategy that is being implemented by more utilities. It reduces strain on already burdened power grids and allows for energy demands to be met and paired with greener methods when they are available.
Phase change materials (PCM) are quickly being recognized as a great way to utilize this strategy of storing thermal energy and releasing it on demand. A phase change material has a phase transition temperature that can utilize the absorption and release of energy in practical applications. For buildings, this is usually in the range of temperatures that are comfortable for humans. These materials can be incorporated in different applications within buildings, be it space heating or domestic hot water heating, and are becoming more and more available for use by builders and manufacturers.
Read MoreIf you’re familiar with SANCO2 heat pump water heaters already, you know about the many great benefits they bring to the field of domestic water heating. Highly efficient with COPs approaching 5, hot water provided at ambient temperatures down to -14F, and of course the namesake CO2 refrigerant which is the lowest polluting and safest refrigerant on the market. SANCO2, previously made under the name of Sanden is now under the new flag of ECO2 Systems, and the new 4th generation of heat pumps is coming to market under that name. Worried about the changes? You shouldn’t be!
Read MoreDo you have a project that you think would be perfect for ThermaCork, but the only thing holding you back is the color of finished product? If you have ever wondered about the viability of painting, staining, or sealing our ThermaCork Façade panels, hopefully the results of this ongoing backyard test can answer your questions.
If you’re just tuning in to this test, you can find the original article here, and there is a quick recap on the methodology below. If you’re returning to see the results after the last check-in, feel free to skip ahead!
Read MoreOur past blog posts have highlighted using the SANCO₂ heat pump water heater for combi-system (using SANCO₂ to perform both space and hot water heating) and multi-family applications. This blog post focuses on the basics of the technology that makes SANCO₂ a brilliant choice for energy-efficient hot water heating in most homes.
Read MoreAs we continue forward in the 21st century, one of our biggest undertakings is the electrification of utilities across homes and businesses. “Electrification” is essentially replacing fuel burning appliances with more efficient electric alternatives. One of the most exciting new technologies in this frontier is the Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH), which can obtain a very high Coefficient of Production and offers savings in the form of efficiency.
Since multifamily housing contributes to a significant portion of overall domestic hot water usage, replacing the standard fuel reliant central water heating plant with a HPWH alternative can make a major impact on fuel reliance, with the added benefit of reducing overall grid load thanks to the higher efficiencies achieved.
Read More“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Growing up in the late 80’s and 90’s this felt like it was practically a mantra among the environmentally concerned. Chief among these it seemed was Recycle. I was lucky enough to belong to a household that valued doing our part to keep our planet clean. Having moved between different states it was always interesting to me how different communities handled this monumental task of collection, sorting and recycling, and I’ve seen all the tactics from multi stream to uber convenient single stream, or bafflingly no recycling at all.
These days single stream recycling seems more or less normalized across the US. Single stream recycling is when all of the different recyclable goods are put in the same bin at the source (home, business, etc.). This is arguably the most convenient method for people to follow. In fact, surveys have shown that an overwhelming majority expressed they would not recycle if they had to sort items to different bins
Read MoreDo you have a project that you think would be perfect for ThermaCork, but the only thing holding you back is the color of finished product? If you have ever wondered about the viability of painting, staining, or sealing our ThermaCork Façade panels, hopefully the results of this backyard test can answer your questions.
While ThermaCork makes a wonderful insulator and is a great option for a natural exterior façade, the plain color of it is not always for everyone. When left in its natural state, ThermaCork ranges from a dark brown to a light tan. This color variance comes from natural variance between cork harvests, and from environmental changes in the final installed location such as humidity, temperature, and exposure to sunlight.
Read MoreDo you hear that? Come a little closer and quiet down. Now do you hear it? That’s the sound of a Zehnder ComfoAir 70 (CA 70) providing fresh air to your studio apartment, your home office, or small workout space. Perhaps you’re more familiar with the (almost no) sound of a Zehnder system in a larger home, regardless the end goal is the same; To remove stale used up air from your living space and replace it with fresh filtered air while recovering the heat from exhausted air. Wondering how you can achieve this feat in your own small space without convoluted ducting and having to tear out drywall? Perhaps your building a new tiny home and need a way to ventilate while conserving heat? Read on to find out what benefits the ComfoAir 70 can breathe into your space.
Read MoreAs part of our ongoing drive towards higher-efficiency homes, Small Planet Supply is committed to bringing high-performance building materials to all parts of the market. In 2019, we introduced our KlimaGuard line of building tape as a budget friendly option for high-performance envelope air sealing. Ever since its release, KlimaGuard has been a hit with our customers, and we are excited to announce some improvements and new sizes to further support your building and air sealing needs!
Read MoreWhen building a new home in California this year, builders may come up against some new items in the building code that may be unfamiliar. Notably, the requirements for mechanical ventilation using heat recovery ventilators or HRVs. These systems go hand in hand with the improved airtightness measures that are being called for and will also affect the building’s energy design rating significantly.
Read MoreIn this blog post, Small Planet Supply’s Josh Palmer explains how builders and homeowners can confidently use cork in their building assemblies.
If you’re someone whose fallen in love with natural properties of ThermaCork but are unsure whether you can use it to insulate your home, then this blog post is for you! As we’ve outlined in previous blog posts, cork has been used for hundreds of years as an insulation material and ThermaCork is composed of 100% cork, is carbon-negative and has no chemicals added in production. Builders and homeowners who are considering cork may worry whether using cork as insulation puts them at risk for developing mold. The simple answer is no, if the wall assembly is done correctly. More details about mold, mold prevention and correct wall assembly are outlined in this blog post.
Read MoreAt Small Planet Supply we get a lot of inquiries about using ThermaCork for soundproofing applications. With noise pollution increasing, even while other forms of pollution are remaining steady or decreasing, finding ways to turn down the volume is important.
If you’re already trying to cut down on harmful VOCs, solvents and environmentally destructive production processes in your home or project, the next logical step is to design for noise reduction.
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