By Carole Hawkins, [email protected]
These One Spark creations aren’t on the verge of sweeping the construction industry any time in the immediate future. But, if you want to get a look at what’s coming — way ahead of the curve — there were a few interesting ideas out there.
Changing an electric water with new element
Energy Labs, based in Jacksonville, introduced “the world’s most advanced” solar water heater.
Called Thermalux, the system uses a standard electric water heater wired to photovoltaic panels. A proprietary heating element and control called the “Intellement,” replaces the heater’s AC element.
The system eliminates more-costly solar tanks, pumps, valves, piping, heat exchangers and plumbing on the roof, which is the norm for solar water heater systems, said James Reid, an energy consultant for SunWorks Solar, which installs Energy Labs’ products.
Energy Labs has been in the thermal solar business since 1973. Its Thermalux product just went on the market seven months ago.
Reid said there’s a four to four-and-a-half year return on investment. But, he also said the system costs $4,895 before installation.
Perhaps the price will come down after the product goes national, which is the goal of the company’s $60,000 crowdfunding campaign. The product was also featured on Kickstarter, a crowdfunding website.
Turning recycled paint into building material
Klaytech creates “rock” using recycled Latex paint.
When mixed with paint, the Klaytech powder creates a textured object that mimics stone, wood or stucco.
Creator John Votel markets the stuff as a way to keep leftover paint out of landfills. But Klaytech is pretty impressive as a building material, too.
Votel showed off Klaytech edging stones, pavers, textured siding, architectural molding and Mediterranean roof tiles a third lighter than normal.
The material even works as cement repair.
Votel, a Jacksonville resident and former Disney artist, said he developed Klaytech when he was looking for a better way to keep paint stuck to canvass.
“I liked doing textured art, but it flakes off,” he said. “With this, you can roll the canvass up and it won’t come off.”
He has a patent pending on the product. Also the Georgia Institute of Technology is interested in testing the material and writing a research paper about it, he said.
Soundproofing for fiance turned into buisiness
This one is for property managers. It’s a curtain that blocks sound.
Useful for rentals near highways or railroad tracks, the Acoustical Curtain is a vinyl panel that’s loaded with barium sulfate.
Walker Peek said he invented it after his fiancé complained the basketball game he was watching downstairs was too loud.
“I stuffed towels and blankets all over the door and she could still hear it,” Peek said.
An engineer by training, he set out to build a soundproof curtain. It worked, but the girl wasn’t impressed yet.
“She said, ‘OK, but it’s ugly,’” Peek said. He improved it.
One year ago the company made its first sale. Now it is averaging $1 million in annual revenues, Peek said, mainly through online sales.
The company has picked up angel investors, but all profits so far have been reinvested in the company.
Peek said the Acoustical Curtain is good for urban professionals who might be living in buildings that don’t have double paned windows.
“We’ve had reviews from people who’ve said, ‘If this doesn’t work, I’m moving out,’” Peek said. “Later, they say, ‘It’s the first time I’ve slept in a month.’”
Peek is the co-founder and CEO of the company, which is called Residential Acoustics and is located in Tampa.