Abstract: A frictional heating system for communicating with an air supply duct to heat and cool air in a building, including an enclosure defining an interior, two air inlets, and at least one air outlet therein communicating with the interior of the enclosure for permitting air flow therethrough. A plurality of turbines are carried on a common shaft for rotation therewith. Each of the turbines is positioned within the enclosure for drawing air into the enclosure and frictionally heating the air therein. A first conduit is in fluid communication with the air outlet, a water heater and an air conditioning system, for moving frictionally-heated air from the air outlet to one or the other of the water heater and the air conditioning system. A motor assembly including a motor is operatively connected to the common shaft and positioned outside the enclosure for driving the common shaft and turbines.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained highly efficient frictional air heating unit is provided which draws a flow of ambient air through an air inlet, frictionally heats the air, and discharges the air through an air outlet. The frictional air heating unit is utilized in a heating and cooling system for providing a source of heated air for heating, for powering an absorption type air conditioner system for cooling, and for heating water.