Provided is a method for adaptively controlling the charging time of a storage heater, comprising: determining a stored energy requirement of the heater; determining a background heat requirement of the heater; determining a daily energy requirement (DER) based on the stored energy requirement and the background heat requirement; and determining a daily run time (DRT) at a predetermined time to calculate the charging time for a following period of time based on the daily energy requirement (DER).

A heating and/or cooling temperature adjusting apparatus disposed proximate a point of use comprising a heat exchange structure, at least one thermal mass unit comprised of a material which changes phase at a predetermined temperature, and a housing which at least partially encloses the heat exchange structure and thermal mass unit. Additionally, a plurality of thermal mass units can be employed, each with equivalent, or differing, temperature threshold points for conversion between solid, liquid or gaseous phases. The presence of the thermal mass unit at the point of use allows for the heating/cooling system to rapidly adjust the temperature of the room while simultaneously decreasing the duty cycle of the heating/cooling generator (e.g. boiler).

Improved thermal energy storage materials, devices and systems employing the same and related methods. The thermal energy storage material may be employed in a heater module capable of generating and storing heat. The thermal energy storage materials may include a phase change material that includes a metal-containing compound. The thermal energy storage materials may be encapsulated. Preferably the heater module includes an electric heater and/or a fan.

An improved thermal store is provided. The thermal decouples the heat output from the thermal store from the energy provided to the heater.

Provided is a method for adaptively controlling the charging time of a storage heater, comprising: determining a stored energy requirement of the heater; determining a background heat requirement of the heater; determining a daily energy requirement (DER) based on the stored energy requirement and the background heat requirement; and determining a daily run time (DRT) at a predetermined time to calculate the charging time for a following period of time based on the daily energy requirement (DER).

A vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, includes a vehicle body and a floor. The floor is separated from the vehicle body by a resiliently deformable intermediate member, in at least one edge portion or section adjacent the vehicle body. The intermediate member is retained by a vehicle-body-side securing profile which is disposed on the body.

In a component (1) with a layered structure, at least one heat-conducting layer (5) is provided, in which a conducting element (2) intended to receive a heat-conducting medium is accommodated. A heat storage layer (3) adjoins the heat conducting layer (5), wherein the heat storage layer (3) comprises a natural stone. The conducting element (2) is accommodated in the heat-conducting layer (5) in a heat transfer element (5), wherein the heat transfer element (5) consists essentially of a powdered natural stone. The building element (1) is prefabricated in a production facility before it is transported to a construction site by connecting, preferably gluing, a heat-conducting layer (5), in which a conducting element (2) receiving a heat-conducting medium is accommodated in a heat transfer element (5) consisting essentially of a powdered natural stone, on one broad side to a heat storage layer (3) made of a natural stone and on the opposite broad side to a supporting and/or insulating layer (4; 9).