Researchers at MIT are developing a new localized heating system that has the potential to reduce energy waste and focus warmth on individuals rather than whole rooms.
The system, called Local Warming, uses LED bulbs to beam direct rays of infrared light, according to Discovery News. The team behind the system is led by Carlo Ratti, a professor at MIT's Senseable City Lab.
Local Warming, which includes mirrors surrounding a large infrared bulb, works by sensing when a human is present and rotating the mirrors so heat is directed at that person.
"It's almost like having a your personal sun," Ratti said.
The system is currently a prototype and will be on display at the Venice Architecture Biennale until November. Ratti is looking to have future prototypes feature smaller LEDs so that the system will have a more compact aesthetic, Wired reported.
Ratti is also aiming to have the Local Warming system used in areas without a lot of space where energy is used less efficiently. He said the infrared lights used in the system can bring energy consumption down to 90 percent when there are only two people in the room.
Lobbies and other spacious areas populated only by a few people are the best places for the system, Discovery News reported. Vents and radiators are currently used to heat these spaces no matter how many people are in it. The Local Warming team reported that 20 percent of the nation's energy consumption comes from commercial buildings.
In addition to reducing energy consumption, Local Warming could potentially lead to a decline in complaints from workers about indoor temperatures being too cold or too hot.
The Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is looking to use up to $30 million to fund projects focusing on localized thermal management systems, Wired reported. ARPA-E said that ending reliance on traditional controlled building environments will lead to the freedom to create new forms of architecture.
"What we need to do now is look at how we can develop the technology to make it cheaper and more practical," Ratti said.
