Frank Reif
@frankreif.bsky.social
Mainly here for climate stuff. Decarbonizing heating and cooling.
Building science / efficiency / retrofit / mechanical engineering etc.
Building science / efficiency / retrofit / mechanical engineering etc.
I'll show myself out. (context lamella armour)
October 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I'll show myself out. (context lamella armour)
It's a water tank. Depending on geology and hydrology there are a number of season versions.
Pit Thermal Energy Storage is one.
Pit Thermal Energy Storage is one.
October 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
It's a water tank. Depending on geology and hydrology there are a number of season versions.
Pit Thermal Energy Storage is one.
Pit Thermal Energy Storage is one.
Incidentally, I've come across Hydro Solar before, they have the most intersting solar PVT setup I've ever seen: hydrosolar.ca/blogs/case-a...
October 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Incidentally, I've come across Hydro Solar before, they have the most intersting solar PVT setup I've ever seen: hydrosolar.ca/blogs/case-a...
The academic paper might also support the DHW (55C) COP comparison. DHW loads have to modulate significantly (lower compressor RPM) as the thermal store heats up due to the limitations of an in tank coil HX. So the EVI might help in this regard, especially if DHW/SH demands differ considerably.
October 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The academic paper might also support the DHW (55C) COP comparison. DHW loads have to modulate significantly (lower compressor RPM) as the thermal store heats up due to the limitations of an in tank coil HX. So the EVI might help in this regard, especially if DHW/SH demands differ considerably.
"comparing the HSS030V2 Monoblock Heat Pump (Without EVI Technology) with the HSS030V2LM (With EVI Technology"
October 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
"comparing the HSS030V2 Monoblock Heat Pump (Without EVI Technology) with the HSS030V2LM (With EVI Technology"
"Well, you shouldn't be complaining anyway as you got it all for free"
"Electric shocks from walls, safety features bypassed"
"Installation took over a year... we were left for the winter without central heating... We had to seek alternative accommodation for 8 weeks"
"Electric shocks from walls, safety features bypassed"
"Installation took over a year... we were left for the winter without central heating... We had to seek alternative accommodation for 8 weeks"
October 14, 2025 at 9:12 AM
"Well, you shouldn't be complaining anyway as you got it all for free"
"Electric shocks from walls, safety features bypassed"
"Installation took over a year... we were left for the winter without central heating... We had to seek alternative accommodation for 8 weeks"
"Electric shocks from walls, safety features bypassed"
"Installation took over a year... we were left for the winter without central heating... We had to seek alternative accommodation for 8 weeks"
The integrated hydronic metal roof panels and BIPV panels should also increase the roof panel hold down strength - for wind uplift and oil canning, requiring fewer seams/labour costs.
Aesthetically, a BIPVT system is far nicer.
Aesthetically, a BIPVT system is far nicer.
October 1, 2025 at 9:03 AM
The integrated hydronic metal roof panels and BIPV panels should also increase the roof panel hold down strength - for wind uplift and oil canning, requiring fewer seams/labour costs.
Aesthetically, a BIPVT system is far nicer.
Aesthetically, a BIPVT system is far nicer.
Similar. But a metal roof integrated hydronic panel might be better inroof.solar . Whether there's a durable factory applied emissive 8-13um paint is a good material science problem.
Also, a ventilating mesh underpayment and vapour diffusion ridge to manage interstitial moisture risk.
Also, a ventilating mesh underpayment and vapour diffusion ridge to manage interstitial moisture risk.
October 1, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Similar. But a metal roof integrated hydronic panel might be better inroof.solar . Whether there's a durable factory applied emissive 8-13um paint is a good material science problem.
Also, a ventilating mesh underpayment and vapour diffusion ridge to manage interstitial moisture risk.
Also, a ventilating mesh underpayment and vapour diffusion ridge to manage interstitial moisture risk.
Oh, the ones with a supply/exhaust to an internal unit to avoid an external condenser...
I reckon a fan coil is ok, but a compressor in the home isn't ideal.
I reckon a fan coil is ok, but a compressor in the home isn't ideal.
September 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Oh, the ones with a supply/exhaust to an internal unit to avoid an external condenser...
I reckon a fan coil is ok, but a compressor in the home isn't ideal.
I reckon a fan coil is ok, but a compressor in the home isn't ideal.
What do you meam by A2A monoblock? These?
September 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
What do you meam by A2A monoblock? These?
Hot Heart won an award for the Helsinki Energy challenge a few years back. Here in the UK, have hardly any heat networks/STES nor do we have good public baths. This would be my version of luxury sustainability.
carlorattiassociati.com/project/hot-...
carlorattiassociati.com/project/hot-...
September 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Hot Heart won an award for the Helsinki Energy challenge a few years back. Here in the UK, have hardly any heat networks/STES nor do we have good public baths. This would be my version of luxury sustainability.
carlorattiassociati.com/project/hot-...
carlorattiassociati.com/project/hot-...
actually, gpt helped me track down something credible:
www.pnnl.gov/main/publica...
(DG is distributed generation, a combination of spinning gas powered, or battery reserves)
www.pnnl.gov/main/publica...
(DG is distributed generation, a combination of spinning gas powered, or battery reserves)
September 10, 2025 at 10:17 PM
actually, gpt helped me track down something credible:
www.pnnl.gov/main/publica...
(DG is distributed generation, a combination of spinning gas powered, or battery reserves)
www.pnnl.gov/main/publica...
(DG is distributed generation, a combination of spinning gas powered, or battery reserves)
This is what you get when you optimise for drag area!
August 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
This is what you get when you optimise for drag area!
The drag area is what really matters, so it's both drag coefficient x the reference area. SUVs have both a larger reference area and drag coefficient. Tesla model 3 is where we should be.
August 13, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The drag area is what really matters, so it's both drag coefficient x the reference area. SUVs have both a larger reference area and drag coefficient. Tesla model 3 is where we should be.
There's still no design that migrates active components elsewhere in a heating system, such as a mixing valve into the buffer to extract heat from the thermocline directly whilst maintaining stratification.
August 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
There's still no design that migrates active components elsewhere in a heating system, such as a mixing valve into the buffer to extract heat from the thermocline directly whilst maintaining stratification.
Stratified Thermal Storage Buffer Tank:
www.consolar.de/en/stratifie...
Very satisfying passive design for a solar thermal buffer tank.
DHW can remain at mains pressure whilst the buffer expansion vol can be vented elsewhere.
www.consolar.de/en/stratifie...
Very satisfying passive design for a solar thermal buffer tank.
DHW can remain at mains pressure whilst the buffer expansion vol can be vented elsewhere.
August 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Stratified Thermal Storage Buffer Tank:
www.consolar.de/en/stratifie...
Very satisfying passive design for a solar thermal buffer tank.
DHW can remain at mains pressure whilst the buffer expansion vol can be vented elsewhere.
www.consolar.de/en/stratifie...
Very satisfying passive design for a solar thermal buffer tank.
DHW can remain at mains pressure whilst the buffer expansion vol can be vented elsewhere.
Yes. These rather odd looking things.
The pro installers are using Valliant and Mitsubishi units
heatpumpmonitor.org
The pro installers are using Valliant and Mitsubishi units
heatpumpmonitor.org
July 26, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Yes. These rather odd looking things.
The pro installers are using Valliant and Mitsubishi units
heatpumpmonitor.org
The pro installers are using Valliant and Mitsubishi units
heatpumpmonitor.org
Not a bad concept! Radiator handrails.
July 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Not a bad concept! Radiator handrails.
This is the UN projected trend. The later half of the century we'll be dealing with a ridiculous proportion of old people (me, which is partly why I care about it). Looking after very old people is hard.
May 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
This is the UN projected trend. The later half of the century we'll be dealing with a ridiculous proportion of old people (me, which is partly why I care about it). Looking after very old people is hard.
Coming up to 100yrs for this prediction.
Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren (1930)John Maynard Keynes. www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/u...
Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren (1930)John Maynard Keynes. www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/u...
May 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Coming up to 100yrs for this prediction.
Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren (1930)John Maynard Keynes. www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/u...
Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren (1930)John Maynard Keynes. www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/u...
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of will.
James had a good life. We could all do with a bit of cheerful pessimism. At the very least, you might be pleasantly surprised.
"Enjoy life while you can. Because if you're lucky it's going to be 20 years before it hits the fan."
James had a good life. We could all do with a bit of cheerful pessimism. At the very least, you might be pleasantly surprised.
"Enjoy life while you can. Because if you're lucky it's going to be 20 years before it hits the fan."
May 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of will.
James had a good life. We could all do with a bit of cheerful pessimism. At the very least, you might be pleasantly surprised.
"Enjoy life while you can. Because if you're lucky it's going to be 20 years before it hits the fan."
James had a good life. We could all do with a bit of cheerful pessimism. At the very least, you might be pleasantly surprised.
"Enjoy life while you can. Because if you're lucky it's going to be 20 years before it hits the fan."
I found the product mutipane product: LiteZone Glass Inc based in Alberta.
May 8, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I found the product mutipane product: LiteZone Glass Inc based in Alberta.
Insulated glazing units. Which is the glazing component in a window assembly. Vacuum Insulate Glazing are as you expect.
May 8, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Insulated glazing units. Which is the glazing component in a window assembly. Vacuum Insulate Glazing are as you expect.
Like this. As Th-Tc increases, Qhot red arrow gets smaller, reflecting loss of capacity, W arrow (yellow for electricity) increases proportionally to reflect lower COP, Qcold gets smaller. As COP tends to 1, the heat pump turns into an ohmic heater W=Qhot. Maybe show cost/unit thermal change.
April 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Like this. As Th-Tc increases, Qhot red arrow gets smaller, reflecting loss of capacity, W arrow (yellow for electricity) increases proportionally to reflect lower COP, Qcold gets smaller. As COP tends to 1, the heat pump turns into an ohmic heater W=Qhot. Maybe show cost/unit thermal change.