Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man and CEO of companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity seems to be considering joining the indoor air quality (IAQ) market.
Recently, a Tesla shareholder who suffers from airborne allergies tweeted about his condition, and Musk was quick to respond. As such, the Tesla founder announced he was working on adapting current HEPA filter technology being used in Tesla vehicles, for residential applications.
While HVAC wouldn’t be on most public figures’ radar, Musk’s fearless implementation of radical technologies could result in a major overhaul of current ventilation, filtration, and heating systems for the home.
The UK’ Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) commented that Musk’s intervention in the IAQ market could have a major impact on pushing for new technologies that could improve the air quality of commercial and residential buildings.
Musk’s vision for the future
Musk has previously hinted at his interest in HVAC. Two years ago during a Tesla shareholder meeting, Musk referenced an undisclosed and ongoing “home HVAC pet project”. Though he did not discuss details at large, Musk noted that his vision for HVAC includes:
- More quiet functionality
- Energy efficiency
- Improved filtration capabilities
- Increased reliability
Already, Musk has displayed his innovative spirit when it comes to heating and ventilation by introducing the first vehicle with a heat pump. Tesla’s “Model Y” SUV, released in 2019, comes equipped with a heat pump device that helps make the car more efficient in colder climates.
Because Teslas are purely electric vehicles, their battery system requires heat to work effectively. In colder climates, extra heat must be produced to power the battery, which results in lost energy and additional power consumption.
The Model Y’s heat pump offers a solution in that it transfers pre-existing heat energy generated by the engine to a thermal reservoir that is then used to heat the battery. This “recycling” of heat is something we’ve previously talked about as the UK moves towards heat pumps as sustainable replacements for gas boilers.
Musk alluded that the same HVAC technology being used in his Tesla vehicles may likely be adapted for residential use. “It’s tiny, it’s efficient, and it has to last for 15 years…we have already done a massive amount of the work necessary for a really kick-ass home HVAC” said Musk.
HVAC, air quality, and the future of connectivity
Musk stepped up his comments further by discussing his ambition for the future of Tesla and home HVAC connectivity. Musk envisions a “super-efficient HVAC” system that will one day know when we’re coming home and dial into our heating and cooling needs.
Though this may seem like something out of a science fiction film, the possibility of this technology may come sooner than we think.
Internet of Things (IoT) applications have already been integrated into residential and commercial applications to provide comfortable environments through sensors and software that can be programmed and modified as needed. The push for IoT and smart buildings may be the first step in one day having a fully automated HVAC and air filtration system that knows exactly what we need, and when we need it. With artificial intelligence on the up and up, there’s really no telling what’s around the corner.
When it comes to indoor air quality and the push for net zero initiatives, Musk seems to understand the importance of stimulating the market. Industry leaders believe Musk can put “the hype into HVAC” and provide much-needed awareness to the sector.