The SmartWatt system converts heat into useful electricity, according to the company
A co-operative building in the Riverdale section of the Bronx in New York City has installed a hot water system that also generates free electricity. Connecticut-based Enviro Power’s SmartWatt boiler is an energy-saving, emission-reducing, drop-in replacement for the hot water portion of conventional heating systems. The company claims it is the “first and only” boiler designed to convert heat that would otherwise be lost in traditional boilers into useful electricity. The Cambridge House at 3235 Cambridge Avenue is the first co-op building to tap the technology.
“We knew we had to find a real long-term solution to reducing the energy footprint at Cambridge House,” said Phil Fram, president of the co-op board at Cambridge House. “One that would provide substantial energy-saving benefits, help us to comply with Local Law 97 and ultimately contribute to the lowering of carbon emissions, all important considerations as we looked for the best option. We found all that in Enviro Power’s SmartWatt technology.”
Enviro Power claims the SmartWatt boiler generates clean energy at close to 100 per cent efficiency reducing carbon emissions and aligning Cambridge House to meet the goals set forth by New York City’s Local Law 97. “We knew we had to find a real long-term solution to reducing the energy footprint at Cambridge House. One that would provide substantial energy-saving benefits”
After making energy-saving upgrades to existing systems with minimal impact, the board had to move to find a broader resolution. This drop-in hot water boiler that reduces the use of traditional boilers found in commercial buildings incorporates a mini power plant and, according to Enviro Power’s, is the only technology available that uses a compact internal power plant to capture heat otherwise lost in the process into electricity.
As a solution that offers a cost-effective installation process and technology that far exceeds the energy savings benefits of traditional heating and hot water systems, Enviro Power claims, the SmartWatt boiler will more than pay for itself over about three years by significantly lowering the energy costs at the 74-unit Cambridge House while providing hot water and generating enough electricity to provide over 50 per cent of the power to the building’s common areas. “We are excited about the potential to tackle the issue of climate change through our work in New York City as Enviro Power is laser focused on decarbonising the building sector, contributing to the green economy, and making sure any building has access to cleaner and more affordable electricity by promoting climate justice and lowering energy poverty,” said Dan Nadav, CEO of Enviro Power.
“With the easy to install and maintain decarbonising technology built into the SmartWatt boiler, Enviro Power is well positioned to serve co-op buildings by lowering the carbon footprint and reducing energy costs more efficiently when replacing old heating systems.”
