I know that they are not ordinary blocks Mikey. When they installed the units they layered up the bricks and every other run had a groove in the top and bottom to except the long rectangular elements that run the length of the unit. I am a huge fan of the system, our heat, hot water and all electricity only runs us an average of $240 per month over a year. No maintenance either, no oil tanks, chimneys needing cleaning, furnace maintenance.
Don't know how it could ever be used regarding colonies though. Bees don't need extra heat anyway, just the right conditions, the rest they take care of themselves.