Solutions
Increase heating capacity
Cover peak heating demand by storing thermal energy off-peak — keep your heat pump small.
Heat pump installations are sized for the worst winter day — which means the asset is oversized 80 % of the year and the budget is heavier than it needs to be. The Thermal Box stores heat off-peak (overnight, when energy is cheaper and the grid is calmer) and discharges it during the morning ventilation peak and other high-demand events. You can spec a smaller heat pump and still meet the peak — sometimes 30–40 % smaller — without losing comfort or resilience. Additionally, several parts of Europe are facing a big transition from gas heating networks into electricity, in order to reach the goal of net zero emissions. This important societal shift to reduce the carbon footprint has identified the need for different solutions that can be used in combination with heat pumps.
Typical impact
Increase heating capacity- 30–40%
- smaller HP possible
- Stable
- peak supply
- 25+ yrs
- design life
The challenge
Sizing a heat pump for the worst winter peak means the asset is oversized most of the year and capital costs are higher than they need to be.
The Cartesian outcome
The Thermal Box stores heat off-peak and supplies it during peak demand windows — letting you specify a smaller heat pump or boiler without sacrificing peak coverage.
Best fit when…
- New-build with tight HP capex
- Retrofits adding tenants or floors
- Sites with morning ventilation spikes
Why now
Common challenges include
Increasing thermal capacity is not always straightforward — these are the constraints we usually have to design around.
- Limited space for additional equipment
- High costs related to electrical upgrades and components
- Complex and inefficient retrofit processes
- Projects are harder to complete, due to lack of proper solutions
How it works
From signal to saving — every cycle.
- 01
Profile the peak
We pull half-hourly heating demand and identify the morning ramp and other peak windows.
- 02
Right-size the plant
The Thermal Box covers peak windows so the heat pump can be specified for average, not worst-case.
- 03
Charge off-peak
Heat from the HP or boiler charges the Thermal Box during quiet hours.
- 04
Discharge during peak
The box delivers warm fluid into the heating loop during the morning ramp or other peaks.
FAQ
Common questions about increase heating capacity
How much smaller can the heat pump go?
Typically 30–40 % smaller for new-builds; smaller for retrofits depending on existing load profile.
What about really cold weeks?
Multi-day cold snaps are sized for separately — we keep a reserve buffer or stack additional modules.
Does it work with gas / pellets / biomass boilers?
Yes — the box is heat-source agnostic. Anywhere you charge with hot fluid, you can discharge later.
Let's build the smarter grid