System and method for controlling the temperature in a structure

Abstract

There is described a system for controlling the temperature in a structure that has exterior walls. At least a portion of at least one exterior wall comprises a cement core having a layer of insulation on an interior face and an exterior face of the cement core, and at least one fluid conduit embedded in the cement core. A source of temperature-controlled fluid is connected to the at least one fluid conduit.

1 . A system for controlling the temperature in a structure, comprising:
 a structure comprising exterior walls;   at least a portion of at least one exterior wall comprising a cement core having a layer of insulation on an interior face and an exterior face of the cement core, and at least one fluid conduit embedded in the cement core; and   a source of temperature-controlled fluid connected to the at least one fluid conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising more than one fluid conduit in the at least one exterior wall. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the source of temperature-controlled fluid circulates temperature-controlled fluid separately through each fluid conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of temperature-controlled fluid comprises a ground-source energy source. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of temperature-controlled fluid comprises a solar energy source. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of temperature-controlled fluid comprises a combustion energy source. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of temperature-controlled fluid comprises a refrigeration source. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of temperature-controlled fluid is maintained at a temperature between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a heater for heating an interior of the structure to a target temperature, the temperature-controlled fluid being at a temperature that is less than the target temperature. 
     
     
         10 . A method of controlling the temperature in a structure, comprising the steps of:
 embedding a fluid conduit in a cement core of at least one exterior wall, the at least one exterior wall comprising insulation on an interior face and an exterior face of the cement core; and   circulating temperature-controlled fluid through the fluid conduit to maintain the cement core within a predetermined temperature range.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein more than one fluid conduit is embedded in the cement core. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein circulating temperature-controlled fluid comprises circulating temperature-controlled fluid separately through each fluid conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a controller controls the temperature in each fluid conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one fluid conduit transfers heat into a source of temperature-controlled fluid, and at least one fluid conduit transfers heat out of the source of temperature-controlled fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the temperature-controlled fluid is circulated through at least one of a ground-source energy source, a solar energy source, a combustion energy source and a refrigeration source. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of heating an interior of the structure to a target temperature, and wherein the temperature-controlled fluid is at a temperature that is less than the target temperature.