Home heating and cooling technology is rapidly evolving, with innovations focused on reducing energy bills and minimizing environmental impact. A new startup, Harvest, has introduced a game-changing solution: the “smart thermal battery.” This system offers homeowners an effective way to manage heating, cooling, and hot water needs using clean energy, potentially cutting energy bills by up to 30%.
What Is Harvest’s Smart Thermal Battery?
The smart thermal battery from Harvest is a combination of a heat pump and thermal storage system. This innovation stores energy when it’s cheapest, often drawn from renewable sources such as solar and wind. Later, the energy is used to power heating, cooling, and hot water systems throughout the day, allowing homeowners to optimize energy costs while maintaining comfort.
Harvest was founded by engineers Jane Melia and Pierre Delforge in 2018, following the failure of their nearly 40-year-old gas furnace. Their aim was to build a more sustainable and efficient HVAC system. What started as an attempt to design an energy-efficient heat pump turned into something much more: a smart system that couples the heat pump with a hot water heater, transforming it into a thermal battery that stores energy for later use.
How It Works: Overcoming Traditional HVAC Problems
The transition from gas-powered furnaces to heat pumps can sometimes result in higher energy bills, particularly in areas where electricity is more expensive than natural gas. However, Harvest addresses this issue by utilizing thermal storage. The system stores energy when electricity prices are lower, typically when renewables are abundant, and then uses that stored energy to power the home’s heating, cooling, and hot water needs.
Melia explained, “I firmly believe the future of HVAC is systems where you’re combining the magic of that heat pump with the scalability, cost efficiency, and safety of thermal storage.” This system allows homeowners to benefit from energy savings even when grid electricity prices rise.
While heat pumps are highly efficient (up to 3-5 times more efficient than gas heating), their widespread adoption can strain electrical grids if many households install them at the same time. Melia acknowledged this challenge, saying, “Storage will be part of the mix because if we all transition from gas to electric at the same time, it will be really hard for the grid to keep up.”
This is where Harvest’s energy storage technology comes into play. By storing energy at off-peak times, it helps balance energy demand and reduces the strain on the electrical grid.
Energy Savings and Real-World Examples
One of the key benefits of the smart thermal battery is its ability to lower energy bills. Harvest reports that it can reduce bills by up to 30%. In one example, a couple in San Mateo, California, installed a Harvest system and saw a 15% reduction in their energy bills the following winter, even though electric rates had risen by 30%.
Melia emphasized that the system also benefits the grid, saying, “We’re telling grid operators that we can use energy when it’s best for the grid — but homeowners and tenants get heating, cooling, and hot water whenever they need it.” This dual benefit makes the smart thermal battery a compelling solution for both individuals and the broader energy system.
Harvest’s Expansion: From California to the East Coast
Harvest is already making an impact in California, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and Denver, with plans for further expansion. The company is also exploring opportunities on the East Coast, including in Vermont and New York. Melia noted that the company’s technology is already in hundreds of homes and even multifamily buildings, which is a significant step forward in reducing energy consumption and costs in a broader range of households.
In multifamily setups, such as townhomes, the installation of Harvest’s system has proven beneficial for both property owners and tenants. Melia explained, “The property owners are pleased because the reduction in utility bills is reducing churn and turnover of the tenants.” Additionally, the system’s tax credits and rebates make it more cost-effective. The federal tax credit currently offers 30% of the fully installed cost of a Harvest system, compared to the smaller incentives available for standard heat pump systems.
