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Heater Tutor

�A Device to Link Smart Thermostats to Direct Vent Heaters

�An Arctic Innovation Competition Idea: Developed and Presented by Amber and Dan Reichardt

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Image From:

ContractorMag.com

Idea Origins

PROBLEM

Remote Monitoring Needed

SOLUTION

Install Smart Thermostat

1,300 SF Home w/ Hybrid Heating System

  • Woodstove – 4 cords/year
  • Oil Fired Direct Vent Heater (Monitor 2400)

- 200 gal/year

Image From:

store.google.com

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Benefits

Fuel

Savings

Improved

Comfort

Control

Temperature

Remotely

Automated

Notifications

Smart Thermostat Benefits

“Gold Standard”

  • Wi-Fi Capable
  • Geofencing
  • Machine Learning

On average the Nest thermostat saved US customers about 10-12% on their heating bills

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…But it Turns Out

That Was Impossible

Why?

Direct Vent Heater

  • 5 Volt
  • DC Power
  • Thermistor Control

Smart Thermostat

  • 24 Volt
  • AC Power
  • Binary Control

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Heater Tutor – Block Diagram

General

Diagram

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Product Demand

Validated According To:

  • Our Own Positive Experience
  • Ubiquity of Direct Vent Heaters throughout Alaska
  • Rapid Growth of the Smart Thermostat Market

2021 - 17% US Homes & growing *

*SP Global Market Intelligence Report – 7/20/2021

Number of Direct Vent Heaters in AK

(rough estimate)

  • Rural AK ~ 25K
  • Fairbanks Area ~ 12K
  • Mat-Su/Kenai ~ 3K

Note: We consulted with a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Fairbanks and a construction manager at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for general perspective on prevalence of Direct Vent Heaters, and derived these estimates through analysis of US Census Data and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation 2017 AK Housing Assessment, but these are rough estimates.

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Competition? –Toyo Wi-Fi

Toyo Wi-Fi - PROS

  • Enables remote access to all settings
  • Makes entering schedules easier
  • Allows remote observation of indoor temp
  • Shows all error codes

Toyo Wi-Fi - CONS

  • NO machine learning
  • Limits schedule to 4 daily set points
  • NO occupancy sensors or geofencing
  • NO remote temperature sensors
  • Toyo Wi-Fi is NOT AVAILABLE as a retrofit

Images from:

toyotomiusa.com/

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Development - DONE

  • Build & install prototype at our house – Dec 2021
  • Build & install 2nd gen prototype at friend’s house – March 2022

Beta Testing – IN PROGRESS

  • Recruit Fairbanks area beta testers
  • Finalize design and build 20 units on professionally printed circuit boards
  • We provide FREE device & installation. Tester provides thermostat of their choice.

​

Initial Commercial Rollout - FUTURE

  • Refine design based on beta testing feedback
  • Start selling Heater Tutor locally through direct sales
  • Develop relationships with Alaska partners to build distribution network

Business Plan

Summer 2022

Winter 2021-2022

Winter 2022-2023

Start small, respond to demand

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​

Rural Alaska

Fairbanks

Mat-Su/ Kenai

Est Homes w/Direct Vent Heaters

24,961

11,644

3,654

Est Annual Fuel Oil Consumption

713 gal

659 gal

565 gal

2022 Avg. Home Heating Oil Cost

$4,464

$2,884

$2,401

Estimated 15% Savings

$670

$432

$360

Statewide Potential Savings

$23 Million

Greenhouse Gas Offsets

4.1 million gallons of heating oil saved p/year displaces 46,000 tons of CO2 emissions = additional $2.3 million in “social cost of carbon” saved

Alaska Cost Savings Potential

Note: Cost Savings Potential are very rough estimates. Please contact Dan Reichardt for a better understanding of how these estimates were derived

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THANKS!!!

WANTED:

Fairbanks Area Monitor/Toyo Owners Interested in FREE 2022 Beta Testing

​

Contact us at

HeaterTutor@gmail.com

Amber Reichardt

Dan Reichardt

Where not noted, images by Dan and Amber Reichardt or from commons.wikimedia.org/