Durham, North Carolina-based Phononic is pioneering heat pumps and air conditioning using solid-state chip technology. The company claims its systems are quieter and more efficient than traditional HVAC systems and could contribute to a decline in HVAC-related emissions.
Phononic’s heating and cooling solutions use a TTAP, which is short for Terminal Treatment of Air with Peltier. This method allows for fully demand-based heating and cooling without refrigerants or a hydronic network.
TTAP can integrated into existing buildings or as a novel system. The system will partially treat the air ventilated through the building, and occupants can set their thermostats for their level of comfort. Phononic says this delivers the same efficiency while lowering operating costs, improving user health, and making installation easier.
“Solid-state cooling systems deliver cool indoor air without the use of refrigerants,” Phononic representatives told The Business Download via email. “As such, indoor temperatures can be kept comfortable during heat waves without negatively impacting the environment and further accelerating climate change with refrigerant leakage into the atmosphere.”
Photo Courtesy Phononic
The solid-state technology reportedly eliminates Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrocarbons, and toxic refrigerants. The cooling system emits water and carbon dioxide and is non-flammable and non-toxic.
The solid-state technology transfers heat from one side of an electric current, known as the Peltier Effect. The chip carries “legs” of semiconductor material, allowing heat to be carried through them. It runs on all-electric power, leaving a minimal carbon footprint.
“HVAC refrigerants have been a major contributor to climate change with a GWP (Global Warming Potential) rating of up to 2000x higher than CO2,” Phononic explained. “It’s imperative that we eliminate refrigerants from our HVAC solution in order to not make the climate problem worse while we keep people safe and comfortable during heat waves.”
One of the key aspects of Phononic HVAC solutions is the energy efficiency. This summer, areas like Texas suffered some of the worst heat waves in history. The amount of air conditioning units hooked up to the Texas state grid, ERCOT, causes strain and rolling blackouts. Phononic said the TTAP system uses up to 18% less energy than traditional HVAC systems.
“Incremental energy savings are important when utility grids are strained by increasing HVAC loads and power-hungry AI data centers,” the company said.
Phononic’s ESG booklet suggests that conventional refrigeration and HVAC will not get the world closer to the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming rate decided at the Paris climate talks in 2015. Solid-state climate control offers a real solution because its systems only emit naturally occurring substances, no freon or chemicals.
“LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) of the TTAP solid-state HVAC system show a 15% reduction in embedded CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) and a 16% reduction of operational CO2e,” Phononic said. “These reductions primarily stem from the elimination of refrigerants and fossil fuels for heating.”
Photo Courtesy Eduardo Soares
Phononic says these systems use up to 30% less power and can even rival traditional systems. It’s also less than 35 decibels loud, meaning no noisy machines whirring constantly. Associated costs also drop by 30% and last longer.
Some industries using Phononic’s systems include grocery stores, data centers, and healthcare and life sciences.
