Thermal Dawn, a company based in Australia, has developed a thermal storage system designed to reduce heating and cooling expenses by replacing conventional gas boilers. The technology, which founder Nick Zeniou recently presented at an industry event, employs phase change materials combined with heat pump technology to store thermal energy for later use.
The system operates as a thermal battery, storing heat at temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius or cooling down to 5 degrees. Rather than generating electricity, it distributes stored thermal energy through existing pipes and radiators or through fan coil units in homes without hydronic systems. According to company data, two pilot installations in southern Australia during the winter months achieved savings of approximately AU$1,500 each. One Melbourne household, operational since May 2026, charges its system during a retailer’s free midday window, eliminating evening heating costs. A second installation in Warragul, completed in July 2026, uses phase change materials to convert the home’s concrete slab into part of the thermal battery, resulting in the heat pump running on only 5 percent of winter evenings during peak pricing hours between 5 pm and 9 pm.
The core innovation involves phase change materials that store energy by freezing or melting at specific temperatures. According to Zeniou, these materials double the system’s heat capacity. The device charges during periods of lowest electricity rates—midday solar generation, free utility windows, or late-night off-peak hours—then releases stored warmth through the evening without operating the compressor during expensive peak demand periods.
Zeniou emphasizes that thermal storage complements rather than competes with home battery systems. Since heating, cooling, and hot water account for up to two-thirds of household energy consumption, using dedicated thermal storage for these loads preserves battery capacity for other applications like lighting, appliances, and electric vehicle charging. Survey respondents at an industry expo demonstrated concern for both sustainability and cost, though the attendee demographic—with 50 of 62 already owning solar panels—represented a specialized market segment.
The company is planning installations in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. Thermal Dawn’s background emerged from founder Zeniou’s childhood in New Zealand, where timing the collection and ignition of firewood determined whether homes remained warm through cold evenings—a concept he applied to modern electricity pricing variations.
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