This Heat Pump Will Help Consumers Save Money and the Environment too

Source: Liam Floyd · HUDDLE · | October 26, 2020

SAINT JOHN – Stash Energy‘s innovative heat pumps will help Saint John Energy customers save money and become part of the solution as the local energy utility tries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through its grid.

Ryan Mitchell (left) and Jordan Kennie (right). Image: Submitted.

Saint John Energy is launching a pilot project with the Fredericton startup that will bring Stash’s heat pumps to up to 50 customers over the next two years. The units store energy to be used during peak electricity usage times, reducing the need for the utility to generate electricity from sources with high greenhouse gas emissions.

This represents the first large-scale order for the firm founded in 2017.

“We’re certainly excited that this innovation was born right here in New Brunswick,” said Ryan Mitchell, Vice President of Saint John Energy. “To be able to work with a local organization that has technology that helps us bring benefits to our customers, the environment, and allows us to support regional economic development is very exciting for us.”

Stash’s heat pumps can store up to four hours of energy during periods where demand for power is lower, such as overnight, to be used when demand for power is higher, such as early mornings.

“The customer still has the comfort in their home from heating and cooling but instead of drawing from the utility, it’s using up what has been stored locally within the customer’s home,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell says peak energy costs Saint John Energy almost $30-million annually and can be known to emit twice as much carbon as that of off-peak energy.

“Certainly, the fact that this new technology will allow low-cost electricity like renewable energy to be captured and converted to thermal energy and consumed as required to heat or cool people’s homes during peak times is excellent,” he said.