Heating & Cooling

What is Harvest Thermal?

Harvest Thermal is a cutting-edge home heating, cooling, and hot water system designed to decarbonize residential buildings while reducing energy costs.

Last updated
March 8, 2025
Author: Matt from Currents
Learn about energy for your home or business.

By combining a hyper-efficient air-to-water heat pump with smart thermal storage technology, it provides an all-electric solution that optimizes energy usage and minimizes carbon emissions.

How Harvest Thermal Works

The system’s core innovation lies in its Smart Thermal Battery™, which stores heat energy in an insulated water tank instead of relying on traditional electrochemical batteries.

The Harvest Pod®, the intelligent controller, manages the operation of the heat pump and thermal battery. It ensures heating and hot water are available when needed while maximizing efficiency by timing energy use to align with periods of low-cost, clean electricity—typically midday when solar power is abundant [1, 3, 6].

The air-to-water heat pump extracts heat from the air and transfers it to the water tank for storage.

This stored energy is then distributed for space heating through a hydronic air handler or radiant floor systems, as well as for domestic hot water needs. The system also integrates seamlessly with existing ductwork, making it suitable for both retrofits and new construction.

Benefits of Harvest Thermal

Harvest Thermal offers several advantages that contribute to its role in decarbonizing homes:

  1. Carbon Emission Reduction: The system reduces emissions by up to 90% compared to gas furnaces and by 40% compared to standard heat pumps without thermal storage37.
  2. Energy Cost Savings: By optimizing energy use during off-peak hours, homeowners can save up to 45% on utility bills compared to traditional systems12.
  3. Efficient Use of Renewable Energy: The system leverages clean solar power during the day, storing it for use during peak demand periods when grid electricity is typically dirtier37.
  4. Eco-Friendly Refrigerant: The SANCO2 heat pump uses CO2 refrigerant, which has a low global warming potential compared to conventional refrigerants4.
  5. Ease of Installation and Incentives: Harvest Thermal systems qualify for federal tax credits and local rebates, making them more affordable than other HVAC options46.

Decarbonizing Homes for a Sustainable Future

With space heating and hot water accounting for nearly two-thirds of home energy use, Harvest Thermal addresses one of the most significant contributors to household carbon footprints.

Its innovative combination of smart controls, thermal storage, and efficient heat pump technology makes it a game-changing solution for homeowners seeking sustainability without compromising comfort or affordability [7].

Citations:

  1. https://www.smallplanetsupply.com/harvest-thermal
  2. https://www.harvest-thermal.com/support
  3. https://blog.wattcarbon.com/p/making-heat-pumps-smarter-to-cut
  4. https://www.quitcarbon.com/help/what-is-harvest-thermal-and-is-it-right-for-my-home
  5. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/making-heat-pumps-smarter-cut-more-carbon-harvest-thermal-m6xpe
  6. https://www.harvest-thermal.com
  7. https://www.harvest-thermal.com/news/harvests-smart-thermal-battery-breaks-11m-funding-mark
  8. https://www.harvest-thermal.com/product
  9. https://www.harvest-thermal.com/get-harvest
  10. https://passivehouseaccelerator.com/articles/harvest-thermal-delivering-on-the-promise-of-decarbonization
  11. https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvest-thermal

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