Many people do not know about the benefits of do it yourself air conditioning repair. In fact, there are people who are hesitant about do it yourself air conditioning repair because they think you need to be certified, which is why they do not do, do it yourself air conditioning repair. There are however some benefits to do it yourself air conditioning repair.
The number one benefit of do it yourself air conditioning repair is that do it yourself air conditioning repair is much cheaper than having to hire a technician to do repairs for you. Do it yourself air conditioning repair is not a hard task. There are many manuals and books that can show you how to perform do it yourself air conditioning repair. By using resources to learn do it yourself air conditioning repair jobs, you will save a lot of money that you can put into other things.
Another benefit of do it yourself air conditioning repair is that you will be learning a new skill. Do it yourself air conditioning repair is good to get you into the habit of learning how to do things yourself and can get you into the habit of doing your own repairs. Parts for do it yourself air conditioning repair are not expensive and can be done fairly cheap especially if you go to a parts supplier who sells parts at a discounted price.
One more benefit of do it yourself air conditioning repair is that you do not have to rely on a technician. Knowing how to perform do it yourself air conditioning repair tasks, if your air conditioner breaks down you do not have to wait for a technician to come to your home and diagnose the problem then go get parts and do all the tasks necessary to repair the problem. With do it yourself air conditioning repair, you do not have to wait for a repair man and you can diagnose the problem yourself, making completing repairs a much quicker task.
The benefits of do it yourself air conditioning repair will not only help you save more money, but it will also educate you in the areas of do it yourself air conditioning repair, and make you more independent so that you can perform your own repairs.
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Ready for a change? Geothermal Heat Pumps is one of the most energy efficient ways to cool and heat your house with little to no maintenance needed.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Geothermal Comfort: Investing in Savings
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) geothermal systems are,“the most energy- efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.” Extremely high levels of efficiency are possible because a geothermal heat pump only uses electricity to move heat, not produce it. A geothermal unit typically supplies four to five kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity used. Three to four of these kilowatts of heat come directly from the earth itself, and are clean, free and renewable. Geothermal heat pumps also take advantage of the mild ground temperature for extremely high efficiency cooling. Most systems also include a hot water generator, which diverts a portion of the supplied heat to the domestic water heater. This provides a substantial portion of a family’s hot water needs at a very low cost. Overall, geothermal technology offers the highest cooling and heating efficiencies of any system available today.
Geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode. Water is used as the heat transfer medium through a closed loop piping system buried in the ground. By using this stable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps provide energy efficient comfort year around with a factory- tested and sealed packaged unit, without the need for a noisy outdoor fan, or a flue.
The environmental advantages of geothermal systems have caught the eye of governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Because geothermal technology is lowest in CO2 emissions, it provides a solution to global warming by primarily using the natural energy of the earth. EarthPure® (R-410A) zero ozone depletion refrigerant is available for ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps for an even friendlier system.
In January 2006 the U.S. Federal government changed the minimum efficiency for air conditioners to 13 SEER from the previous minimum requirement of 10 SEER. Geothermal systems are up to twice the minimum required efficiency! As efficiency ratings increase, operating costs decrease. However, efficiency ratings alone do not tell the “whole story” when it comes to operating costs for homeowners. Fuel type, home construction, geographic location and thermostat settings are just some of the factors.
Over the years, geothermal systems have always been the leader in low operating costs. Recently, however, fossil fuels (natural gas, fuel oil and propane) have begun increasing at a much higher rate than electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that electricity prices will remain stable over the next twenty years, allowing some increase for inflation. Now is the time to consider electric technologies like geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water needs.
Even a high efficiency natural gas furnace with a high efficiency air conditioner is still nearly twice the operating costs as a geothermal system. Since these comparisons are for new equipment (i.e. standard efficiencies = 13 SEER efficiency for air conditioners and 80% AFUE efficiency for furnaces), comparisons to existing equipment being replaced by a geothermal system would be even more dramatic. If the existing air conditioner is older, it may have an efficiency of between 8 and 10 SEER. Older furnaces could be as low as 65-70% efficient.
Geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode. Water is used as the heat transfer medium through a closed loop piping system buried in the ground. By using this stable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps provide energy efficient comfort year around with a factory- tested and sealed packaged unit, without the need for a noisy outdoor fan, or a flue.
The environmental advantages of geothermal systems have caught the eye of governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Because geothermal technology is lowest in CO2 emissions, it provides a solution to global warming by primarily using the natural energy of the earth. EarthPure® (R-410A) zero ozone depletion refrigerant is available for ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps for an even friendlier system.
In January 2006 the U.S. Federal government changed the minimum efficiency for air conditioners to 13 SEER from the previous minimum requirement of 10 SEER. Geothermal systems are up to twice the minimum required efficiency! As efficiency ratings increase, operating costs decrease. However, efficiency ratings alone do not tell the “whole story” when it comes to operating costs for homeowners. Fuel type, home construction, geographic location and thermostat settings are just some of the factors.
Over the years, geothermal systems have always been the leader in low operating costs. Recently, however, fossil fuels (natural gas, fuel oil and propane) have begun increasing at a much higher rate than electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that electricity prices will remain stable over the next twenty years, allowing some increase for inflation. Now is the time to consider electric technologies like geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water needs.
Even a high efficiency natural gas furnace with a high efficiency air conditioner is still nearly twice the operating costs as a geothermal system. Since these comparisons are for new equipment (i.e. standard efficiencies = 13 SEER efficiency for air conditioners and 80% AFUE efficiency for furnaces), comparisons to existing equipment being replaced by a geothermal system would be even more dramatic. If the existing air conditioner is older, it may have an efficiency of between 8 and 10 SEER. Older furnaces could be as low as 65-70% efficient.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Everything You Need To Know About Green Energy
Green energy refers to the use of power that is not only more efficient than fossil fuel but that is friendly to the environment as well. Green energy is generally defined as energy sources that don't pollute and are renewable.
There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydro power on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.
Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.
The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.
Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.
As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.
Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.
The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.
Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.
Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energys impact is minimal, however.
There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydro power on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.
Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.
The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.
Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.
As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.
Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.
The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.
Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.
Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energys impact is minimal, however.
Friday, October 23, 2009
DIY Preventative Maintenance
Its 6 p.m., a very hot 96 degrees with the humidity at about 80%, and you just got home. Of course, the a/c in your car didn’t quite have time to cool off before you got in the bumper to bumper traffic on the interstate, so you had to turn it off before the auto overheated. That’s OK. At least you remembered to leave your home a/c turned down to about 65 degrees.
You’ll cool off once inside and you shed the sweat soaked clothes. Just getting the house key in the hole makes you sweat. Then it hits you right in the face! A blast of hot air that has started your head pounding. No air conditioning!
OK, I know this has happened to at least 75% of the population. Especially if you live in the south, you know what I’m talking about. How can you prevent this from happening again? There are no absolute guarantees it won’t. No, you can’t be completely safe from this aggravating situation. But you can help your heating and cooling system just by reading your owner’s manual. I know, who reads these things? We do, the ones’ who have been in this same situation. Believe it or not, there are some good facts that you need to know to stay comfortable.
First and foremost: Learn how to operate your thermostat! I think about 10% do not know how to do this.
Second: Know where your filter is and replace it, or clean it, once a month, every 2 weeks if you have pets with hair. And I have to tell you, some people don’t even know they have filters for their units that must be cleaned or replaced some time. If this isn’t done you will have a very expensive repair bill.
Third: Locate all the electrical breakers, inside and out, to all your pieces of equipment. Some systems have electric air filters, or cleaners, or humidifiers, even other electrical components that could cause the system to stop. Know where the breakers are and how to turn them back on.
There aren’t that many parts of the system that a normal homeowner can deal with on the system. The first check point should be your thermostat. Be sure it is on, and the temperature is set at the correct temperature you want in the house. If this looks good, go to your filter and check it. If it looks like a rug, change it. If you’re not sure, change it anyway. Now give it about 15 minutes, put your hand as close to a vent in one of the rooms, and see if any cool air is coming out.
OK, so that didn’t work. Do you have any idea where the condensing unit is? It is usually somewhere along the back of the house, or on an end. Once you do find it, see if you can hear it running. Usually there is a fan close to the top which you may be able to see, hear, or feel hot air coming out the top. If this unit is not running there should be an electrical disconnect box on the wall within 3 feet of the unit. It only has one lever on the side which should say ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintanence
Be sure the leaver is in the ON position. Your unit may have a delay on it which may not let it come on right away. Wait about 5 minutes, if it’s still not on you may have a problem.
You can go to your main electrical panel and be sure all breakers, at least one will be 110 v., and one will be a 230 v., going to your system, are not tripped off. Turn the breakers off and then back on kind of hard. Again, give the unit about 5 minutes. If nothing is happening, I suggest you call someone certified to work on your air conditioning system. If you are lucky enough to get the cool air on, you will have to be patient with it. Everything, walls, floors, furniture, ceilings, is at 96 + degrees. It will take a long time for everything to cool down to a tolerable temperature. It would probably be best to eat dinner out somewhere its cool. Let the unit try to catch up a little before you face that heat again.
These systems are pretty simple to operate. And after you read the maintenance and operation manual, you will be able to troubleshoot your problems, if they are minor, to keep from having another annoying and uncomfortable situation.
If you have to call a service technician to check your air conditioning, be sure he is certified and bonded. If he isn’t, find someone that is. This can save you time, money, and nerves. I was the customer service person for a fairly large heating and cooling contractor, I know what I’m talking about! There isn’t anything I haven’t heard from irate customers. Just keep your cool, read your manual, follow the directions, and hope for cooler weather.
You’ll cool off once inside and you shed the sweat soaked clothes. Just getting the house key in the hole makes you sweat. Then it hits you right in the face! A blast of hot air that has started your head pounding. No air conditioning!
OK, I know this has happened to at least 75% of the population. Especially if you live in the south, you know what I’m talking about. How can you prevent this from happening again? There are no absolute guarantees it won’t. No, you can’t be completely safe from this aggravating situation. But you can help your heating and cooling system just by reading your owner’s manual. I know, who reads these things? We do, the ones’ who have been in this same situation. Believe it or not, there are some good facts that you need to know to stay comfortable.
First and foremost: Learn how to operate your thermostat! I think about 10% do not know how to do this.
Second: Know where your filter is and replace it, or clean it, once a month, every 2 weeks if you have pets with hair. And I have to tell you, some people don’t even know they have filters for their units that must be cleaned or replaced some time. If this isn’t done you will have a very expensive repair bill.
Third: Locate all the electrical breakers, inside and out, to all your pieces of equipment. Some systems have electric air filters, or cleaners, or humidifiers, even other electrical components that could cause the system to stop. Know where the breakers are and how to turn them back on.
There aren’t that many parts of the system that a normal homeowner can deal with on the system. The first check point should be your thermostat. Be sure it is on, and the temperature is set at the correct temperature you want in the house. If this looks good, go to your filter and check it. If it looks like a rug, change it. If you’re not sure, change it anyway. Now give it about 15 minutes, put your hand as close to a vent in one of the rooms, and see if any cool air is coming out.
OK, so that didn’t work. Do you have any idea where the condensing unit is? It is usually somewhere along the back of the house, or on an end. Once you do find it, see if you can hear it running. Usually there is a fan close to the top which you may be able to see, hear, or feel hot air coming out the top. If this unit is not running there should be an electrical disconnect box on the wall within 3 feet of the unit. It only has one lever on the side which should say ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintanence
Be sure the leaver is in the ON position. Your unit may have a delay on it which may not let it come on right away. Wait about 5 minutes, if it’s still not on you may have a problem.
You can go to your main electrical panel and be sure all breakers, at least one will be 110 v., and one will be a 230 v., going to your system, are not tripped off. Turn the breakers off and then back on kind of hard. Again, give the unit about 5 minutes. If nothing is happening, I suggest you call someone certified to work on your air conditioning system. If you are lucky enough to get the cool air on, you will have to be patient with it. Everything, walls, floors, furniture, ceilings, is at 96 + degrees. It will take a long time for everything to cool down to a tolerable temperature. It would probably be best to eat dinner out somewhere its cool. Let the unit try to catch up a little before you face that heat again.
These systems are pretty simple to operate. And after you read the maintenance and operation manual, you will be able to troubleshoot your problems, if they are minor, to keep from having another annoying and uncomfortable situation.
If you have to call a service technician to check your air conditioning, be sure he is certified and bonded. If he isn’t, find someone that is. This can save you time, money, and nerves. I was the customer service person for a fairly large heating and cooling contractor, I know what I’m talking about! There isn’t anything I haven’t heard from irate customers. Just keep your cool, read your manual, follow the directions, and hope for cooler weather.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DIY AC Repair
The major air condition repairs carried out are due to the air conditioner not being able to turn on, or the cooling capacity has been reduced, the air flow is lost or it can also be due to the internal components of the air conditioner.
The usual air conditioner components that need to be replaced are the faulty air compressor or condenser, defective air handling unit, defects in the duct system and the air leaks.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintenance
If your air conditioner doesn’t start, you have to look at the controls and the switches as most of the problems due to air condition repair are electrical repairs. You have to check whether the circuit breaker and the thermostat are properly functioning.
After that you need to check the air handling unit which comprises the return air plenum, air filter, blower fan, cooling and heating coil and the supply plenum. Next you need to check the circuit breakers for the compressors and the air handling units.
If the air conditioning problem is not resolved, then you need to check the duct system i.e. the return air ducts and the supply air ducts and the filters whether they carry air from the air handler to the different intended rooms in the building.
The other most common problem with air conditioners would be that the air conditioner doesn’t give good cooling effect. It so, you will need to check the blower unit.
If you find that it is dirty, you should clean it as it causes loss of cool air supply. The reduced cooling could also be due to old or aged air compressors which have to be replaced.
The air compressors are costly and this would be an expensive repair. Cooling effect is reduced even if the condensate from the air conditioner is not being drained properly or there are leaks in the air handler, or due to damaged air ducts or due to the problems in the air conditioner refrigerant system.
The usual air conditioner components that need to be replaced are the faulty air compressor or condenser, defective air handling unit, defects in the duct system and the air leaks.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintenance
If your air conditioner doesn’t start, you have to look at the controls and the switches as most of the problems due to air condition repair are electrical repairs. You have to check whether the circuit breaker and the thermostat are properly functioning.
After that you need to check the air handling unit which comprises the return air plenum, air filter, blower fan, cooling and heating coil and the supply plenum. Next you need to check the circuit breakers for the compressors and the air handling units.
If the air conditioning problem is not resolved, then you need to check the duct system i.e. the return air ducts and the supply air ducts and the filters whether they carry air from the air handler to the different intended rooms in the building.
The other most common problem with air conditioners would be that the air conditioner doesn’t give good cooling effect. It so, you will need to check the blower unit.
If you find that it is dirty, you should clean it as it causes loss of cool air supply. The reduced cooling could also be due to old or aged air compressors which have to be replaced.
The air compressors are costly and this would be an expensive repair. Cooling effect is reduced even if the condensate from the air conditioner is not being drained properly or there are leaks in the air handler, or due to damaged air ducts or due to the problems in the air conditioner refrigerant system.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Cutting Energy Waste To Save Money
Tired of throwing money at oil companies and your local utility? You can fight back by eliminating the energy waste in your life. Consider the following:
1. If you have an attic, you undoubtedly are wasting money on your heating bill. Take a close look at the entrance to the attic. If it is a drop down from the ceiling, hot air is moving up and through it.
2. When considering the layout of solar panels on your home, it is vital that you consider how to maximize the exposure to the sun. This is known as “orienting” and involves placing the panels in such a position that they receive as much sun as possible.
3. Check the Pressure in Your Tires – Under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 3 to 5 percent and wear out the tires. Make sure to maintain pressures at the top end of the suggested psi of the tire.
4. Programmable Thermostats Save Money – Heating your home can be expensive. Programmable thermostats let you save money by setting the times when heating should occur and when it should not such as when you are at work.
5. Cut Lighting Costs – The lights in your home are huge money wasters. Switch to CFL lights. They last up to 10 times longer and cost less to run.
6. Heating Two Story Homes – Heat moves up, so you can manipulate it with your multi-level home. Close all vents other than on the lowest floor. Heat will migrate up and you will spend less.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
7. The Electrical Grid – When it comes to renewable energy, you will quickly hear the term electrical grid. It refers the platform maintained by utilities across the country. With solar, you can feed energy into the grid when not using it.
8. Solar power not only saves you money, but helps stop global warming.
9. Window Energy Costs – Windows allow for the transfer of heat in a big way. Closing curtains or blinds over them at night can cut down on the rate of heat loss, saving you tons on your bill.
10. Changing Car Filters – Two energy wasters on your car are the fuel filter and air filter. Change them every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. Any oil change location can do it.
You should notice that the above tips do not really require you to make any drastic changes in your life. It is more a matter of eliminating the sloppy things to save some serious money.
1. If you have an attic, you undoubtedly are wasting money on your heating bill. Take a close look at the entrance to the attic. If it is a drop down from the ceiling, hot air is moving up and through it.
2. When considering the layout of solar panels on your home, it is vital that you consider how to maximize the exposure to the sun. This is known as “orienting” and involves placing the panels in such a position that they receive as much sun as possible.
3. Check the Pressure in Your Tires – Under-inflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 3 to 5 percent and wear out the tires. Make sure to maintain pressures at the top end of the suggested psi of the tire.
4. Programmable Thermostats Save Money – Heating your home can be expensive. Programmable thermostats let you save money by setting the times when heating should occur and when it should not such as when you are at work.
5. Cut Lighting Costs – The lights in your home are huge money wasters. Switch to CFL lights. They last up to 10 times longer and cost less to run.
6. Heating Two Story Homes – Heat moves up, so you can manipulate it with your multi-level home. Close all vents other than on the lowest floor. Heat will migrate up and you will spend less.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
7. The Electrical Grid – When it comes to renewable energy, you will quickly hear the term electrical grid. It refers the platform maintained by utilities across the country. With solar, you can feed energy into the grid when not using it.
8. Solar power not only saves you money, but helps stop global warming.
9. Window Energy Costs – Windows allow for the transfer of heat in a big way. Closing curtains or blinds over them at night can cut down on the rate of heat loss, saving you tons on your bill.
10. Changing Car Filters – Two energy wasters on your car are the fuel filter and air filter. Change them every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. Any oil change location can do it.
You should notice that the above tips do not really require you to make any drastic changes in your life. It is more a matter of eliminating the sloppy things to save some serious money.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Being Greener When You Rent
Renting can be frustrating when you want to go green. There are a lot of things you just don’t have control over. You generally don’t own the appliances, can’t install solar panels, etc. It gets annoying sometimes.
I deal with this a lot as I do still rent. We’re fortunate enough to be renting a house rather than an apartment, but there are still a lot of limitations.
Start By Saving Energy
Even when you can’t replace that cranky old refrigerator, you can still save energy. Start with the light bulbs. Switch out to compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs. In many areas you can find them at a discount through your local electric company. I’ve seen them under $2.50 for a 3-pack in my area due to discounts run through my power company. Take advantage.
There is one catch to CFLs if you have a lot of closed fixtures. The standard spiral bulbs don’t work as well in closed fixtures. According to energystar.gov, you are best off using a reflector CFL in these areas. Similarly, if you have dimmer switches, you will want to be sure that your bulbs will work with these.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
Also try to find out about recycling these, as they have a small amount of mercury and should not be just thrown in the trash. In my area Kohl’s recycles them.
You should also think more about when you are using electricity. Power down the computer if you won’t be using it for a time. Unplug appliances that don’t need to be plugged in all the time. Unplug the cell phone charger and other chargers.
Power strips can also be a big help. Use them to shut off all power to multiple items at once. This takes care of the “phantom load” that many electrical items have where they use electricity even when off. Often this is to run a clock or other nonessential. If you don’t need it to have electricity 24/7, find a way to make shutting it off all the way easy.
Watch for Green Apartments
You may not be able to move into one right now, but in some areas green apartments are turning up. Just a few miles from where I live, there’s a new apartment complex that is powered by solar power. Believe me, I would have loved to get on that list, but by the time I heard of it, the list was full.
I expect green apartments to be a trend. It’s a good value for the landlords and very appealing to many renters.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
Encourage Green Habits
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is that you may not have access to many of the basic things homeowners take for granted. For example, recycling may or may not be available in some apartment communities, even if single family homes are required to recycle.
If your complex doesn’t recycle, talk to the rental agents about it. If they learn there is a demand for it, they’re more likely to sign up for recycle bins to be put out by the trash bins.
Being green in a rental situation is more difficult, but it is not impossible. These steps can help you to get onto the right path.
I deal with this a lot as I do still rent. We’re fortunate enough to be renting a house rather than an apartment, but there are still a lot of limitations.
Start By Saving Energy
Even when you can’t replace that cranky old refrigerator, you can still save energy. Start with the light bulbs. Switch out to compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs. In many areas you can find them at a discount through your local electric company. I’ve seen them under $2.50 for a 3-pack in my area due to discounts run through my power company. Take advantage.
There is one catch to CFLs if you have a lot of closed fixtures. The standard spiral bulbs don’t work as well in closed fixtures. According to energystar.gov, you are best off using a reflector CFL in these areas. Similarly, if you have dimmer switches, you will want to be sure that your bulbs will work with these.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
Also try to find out about recycling these, as they have a small amount of mercury and should not be just thrown in the trash. In my area Kohl’s recycles them.
You should also think more about when you are using electricity. Power down the computer if you won’t be using it for a time. Unplug appliances that don’t need to be plugged in all the time. Unplug the cell phone charger and other chargers.
Power strips can also be a big help. Use them to shut off all power to multiple items at once. This takes care of the “phantom load” that many electrical items have where they use electricity even when off. Often this is to run a clock or other nonessential. If you don’t need it to have electricity 24/7, find a way to make shutting it off all the way easy.
Watch for Green Apartments
You may not be able to move into one right now, but in some areas green apartments are turning up. Just a few miles from where I live, there’s a new apartment complex that is powered by solar power. Believe me, I would have loved to get on that list, but by the time I heard of it, the list was full.
I expect green apartments to be a trend. It’s a good value for the landlords and very appealing to many renters.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
Encourage Green Habits
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges is that you may not have access to many of the basic things homeowners take for granted. For example, recycling may or may not be available in some apartment communities, even if single family homes are required to recycle.
If your complex doesn’t recycle, talk to the rental agents about it. If they learn there is a demand for it, they’re more likely to sign up for recycle bins to be put out by the trash bins.
Being green in a rental situation is more difficult, but it is not impossible. These steps can help you to get onto the right path.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Air Pollution - Your House May Be Harming Your Family
Kitchen cabinets, furniture, perfume, even candles and air fresheners – they can all contribute to the air pollution in our homes.
Dr. Bernard Hamel, former Director for the Institute for Environmental Studies at Drexil University, estimates that the levels of potentially deadly toxins in the average American home may be five times greater than the level of toxic pollutants found in the dirtiest city air.
Indoor air pollution poses a far greater risk to our health than outdoor pollution. Exposure to tobacco smoke, structural materials, mold, and even simple household dust can make us sick.
Biological contaminants such as mold and mildew allow disease-carrying pollutants to reproduce and spread their spores throughout the air. Toxic chemicals found in air fresheners, as well as average cleaning and grooming supplies can also be hazardous when build-up occurs in poorly ventilated rooms. Even the glue that holds 90% of today’s furniture together contains formaldehyde, which may cause nausea, headaches, lethargy and breathing problems in some people.
Another concern is lead paint, asbestos and radon, which were used in most homes, built before the 1980’s. Odorless, colorless and tasteless, these are all substances that are impossible to detect without proper testing.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintenance
When trying to safeguard your home against indoor pollution, follow these simple tips:
Oven Cleaner:
Cover grime with baking soda. Spray with water until wet, keeping dry for 3-4 hours. Let sit overnight. In the morning wipe clean with clear water.
Furniture Polish:
Caustic household cleaners and chemicals may be the #1 source of acute human exposure to toxic substances, according to research done by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. They make us sick and they damage the environment. When you have to use a caustic substance around your home, remember two important tips:
Dr. Bernard Hamel, former Director for the Institute for Environmental Studies at Drexil University, estimates that the levels of potentially deadly toxins in the average American home may be five times greater than the level of toxic pollutants found in the dirtiest city air.
Indoor air pollution poses a far greater risk to our health than outdoor pollution. Exposure to tobacco smoke, structural materials, mold, and even simple household dust can make us sick.
Biological contaminants such as mold and mildew allow disease-carrying pollutants to reproduce and spread their spores throughout the air. Toxic chemicals found in air fresheners, as well as average cleaning and grooming supplies can also be hazardous when build-up occurs in poorly ventilated rooms. Even the glue that holds 90% of today’s furniture together contains formaldehyde, which may cause nausea, headaches, lethargy and breathing problems in some people.
Another concern is lead paint, asbestos and radon, which were used in most homes, built before the 1980’s. Odorless, colorless and tasteless, these are all substances that are impossible to detect without proper testing.
Clearwater Air Conditioning Maintenance
When trying to safeguard your home against indoor pollution, follow these simple tips:
- Use pump bottles for cleaning supplies instead of spray cans. They spray less fumes and are easier to direct.
- Add more ventilation, or simply open your doors and windows more often to help air out the indoor pollution.
- Hire environmental testers to check for things like radon, lead and asbestos.
- Use “green” cleaning products. They’re cheaper and easy to make. Try these recipes for some common household cleaning jobs:
- 1 qt. warm water
- 1 tsp. liquid hand soap
- 1/4 tsp. lemon juice
Oven Cleaner:
Cover grime with baking soda. Spray with water until wet, keeping dry for 3-4 hours. Let sit overnight. In the morning wipe clean with clear water.
Furniture Polish:
- 1 pt. mineral oil
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
Caustic household cleaners and chemicals may be the #1 source of acute human exposure to toxic substances, according to research done by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. They make us sick and they damage the environment. When you have to use a caustic substance around your home, remember two important tips:
- Know how to use them properly: Always use caustic chemicals and cleaners in a well-ventilated area. Use an air mask if possible.
- Know how to dispose of them properly: Improper disposal of household cleaners, paints and other chemicals is the main source of toxic pollution in the United States today.
- Never pour any hazard household substance down the drain.
- Keep original containers for ingredient lists and storage.
- Take lids off paint and let dry prior to disposing.
- Take all chemical containers to your local hazardous waste site for disposal.
Friday, October 16, 2009
How is a geothermal heat pump like a refrigerator?
Like a refrigerator, a geothermal heat pump simply transfers heat from one place to another. When a refrigerator is operating, heat is being carried away from the inside food storage area to the outside, your kitchen. Therefore, cooling is not being added to the inside; heat is being taken out.
To understand the operation of a geothermal heat pump, it helps to understand how a refrigerator works. A refrigerator uses a refrigeration circuit with four main components, a compressor (1), a condenser (2), an expansion device (3), and an evaporator (4). Refrigerant (sometimes referred to by the brand name Freon) is pumped through the circuit to transfer heat from the inside of the refrigerator to the outside.
The compressor (1) is the pump. It also pressurizes the refrigerant gas. Since temperature and pressure are directly related, as the pressure increases, the temperature increases. The high temperature/high pressure gas flows from the compressor to the condenser (2).The cooler air in the kitchen (relative to the temperature of the refrigerant, 150 to 180°F [65 to 85°C]) causes the refrigerant to condense into a liquid. When two surfaces at different temperatures touch (or are very near – separated only by tubing), the hotter surface cools and the cooler surface warms. This is a law of physics called the second law of thermodynamics. The condenser therefore releases heat to the kitchen.
The next step in the process involves the expansion device (3).The expansion device is a small orifice that the refrigerant is forced through. The small hole creates a pressure differential between the two sides of the device. Think of an expansion device like a dam on a river with a hole in the dam. The water leaking through the hole is at a low pressure on the downstream side; the water on the other side (being held back by the dam) is at a high pressure. Once again, the pressure/temperature relationship (lower pressure/ lower temperature) creates a cold, low pressure liquid refrigerant that gets fed to the evaporator (4).
As warm air inside the refrigerator (relative to the very cold temperature of the refrigerant) passes through the evaporator coil (4), the hotter surface (air inside the refrigerator) gets cooler and the cooler surface (refrigerant in the evaporator (4) tubing) gets warmer. The liquid refrigerant evaporates back into gas form, and the cycle starts over again as the refrigerant enters the compressor (1). The evaporator therefore absorbs heat from the inside of the refrigerator, which keeps the food cold.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
An air conditioner or refrigerator transfers heat in only one direction. A heat pump can transfer heat in two directions, thereby heating or cooling the space. Most heat pumps heat or cool the air. Some heat pumps heat or chill water. An additional component, a reversing valve, is added to a heat pump, which allows the refrigerant to change direction, allowing the space that was being cooled to be heated.
A geothermal heat pump has a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator like a refrigerator, but also includes a reversing valve to allow both heating and cooling. The big difference between a refrigerator or traditional air conditioner and a geothermal heat pump is the way heat is transferred. A geothermal heat pump transfers heat between the refrigerant circuit and the ground instead of between the refrigerant circuit and the air. The ground is a much milder heat source, since the temperature changes very little over the course of the year. The outside air temperature, however, varies significantly over the year, making a geothermal heat pump much more energy efficient than a traditional air conditioner or heat pump. A geothermal heat pump compressor also operates at lower pressures because of the milder heat source/heat sink (the ground), helping provide longer life expectancies.
A geothermal heat pump is a like a refrigerator in many ways. Simple refrigerator technology coupled with the stable temperature of the Earth provides quiet, reliable, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems for today’s discerning homeowners.
To understand the operation of a geothermal heat pump, it helps to understand how a refrigerator works. A refrigerator uses a refrigeration circuit with four main components, a compressor (1), a condenser (2), an expansion device (3), and an evaporator (4). Refrigerant (sometimes referred to by the brand name Freon) is pumped through the circuit to transfer heat from the inside of the refrigerator to the outside.
The compressor (1) is the pump. It also pressurizes the refrigerant gas. Since temperature and pressure are directly related, as the pressure increases, the temperature increases. The high temperature/high pressure gas flows from the compressor to the condenser (2).The cooler air in the kitchen (relative to the temperature of the refrigerant, 150 to 180°F [65 to 85°C]) causes the refrigerant to condense into a liquid. When two surfaces at different temperatures touch (or are very near – separated only by tubing), the hotter surface cools and the cooler surface warms. This is a law of physics called the second law of thermodynamics. The condenser therefore releases heat to the kitchen.
The next step in the process involves the expansion device (3).The expansion device is a small orifice that the refrigerant is forced through. The small hole creates a pressure differential between the two sides of the device. Think of an expansion device like a dam on a river with a hole in the dam. The water leaking through the hole is at a low pressure on the downstream side; the water on the other side (being held back by the dam) is at a high pressure. Once again, the pressure/temperature relationship (lower pressure/ lower temperature) creates a cold, low pressure liquid refrigerant that gets fed to the evaporator (4).
As warm air inside the refrigerator (relative to the very cold temperature of the refrigerant) passes through the evaporator coil (4), the hotter surface (air inside the refrigerator) gets cooler and the cooler surface (refrigerant in the evaporator (4) tubing) gets warmer. The liquid refrigerant evaporates back into gas form, and the cycle starts over again as the refrigerant enters the compressor (1). The evaporator therefore absorbs heat from the inside of the refrigerator, which keeps the food cold.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
An air conditioner or refrigerator transfers heat in only one direction. A heat pump can transfer heat in two directions, thereby heating or cooling the space. Most heat pumps heat or cool the air. Some heat pumps heat or chill water. An additional component, a reversing valve, is added to a heat pump, which allows the refrigerant to change direction, allowing the space that was being cooled to be heated.
A geothermal heat pump has a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator like a refrigerator, but also includes a reversing valve to allow both heating and cooling. The big difference between a refrigerator or traditional air conditioner and a geothermal heat pump is the way heat is transferred. A geothermal heat pump transfers heat between the refrigerant circuit and the ground instead of between the refrigerant circuit and the air. The ground is a much milder heat source, since the temperature changes very little over the course of the year. The outside air temperature, however, varies significantly over the year, making a geothermal heat pump much more energy efficient than a traditional air conditioner or heat pump. A geothermal heat pump compressor also operates at lower pressures because of the milder heat source/heat sink (the ground), helping provide longer life expectancies.
A geothermal heat pump is a like a refrigerator in many ways. Simple refrigerator technology coupled with the stable temperature of the Earth provides quiet, reliable, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems for today’s discerning homeowners.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Government Grants for Alternative Energy
In his State of the Union Address for 2007, President George W. Bush called for a 22% increase in federal grants for research and development of alternative energy. However, in a speech he gave soon after, he said to those assembled, I recognize that there has been some interesting mixed signals when it comes to funding.
Where the mixed signals were coming from concerned the fact that at the same time the President was calling on more government backing for research and development, the NREL, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden, Colardo was laying off workers and contractors left and right.
Geothermal Tax Credits
Apparently, the Laboratory got the hint, because soon after the State of the Union Address, everyone was re-hired. The second speech of the President’s was actually given at the NREL. There is almost unanimous public support for the federal backing through research grants, tax breaks, and other financial incentives of research and development of alternative energy sources.
The NREL is the nation’s leading component of the National Bioenergy Center, a virtual center that has no central bricks and mortar office. The NREL’s raison d’etre is the advancing of the US Department of Energy’s and the United States’ alternative energy objectives.
The laboratory’s field researchers and staff scientists, in the words of Laboratory Director Dan Arvizu, support critical market objectives to accelerate research from scientific innovations to market-viable solutions. At the core of this strategic direction are NREL’s research and technology development areas.
These areas span from understanding renewable resources for energy, to the conversion of these resources to renewable electricity and fuels, and ultimately to the use of renewable electricity and fuels in homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles. The federally-backed Laboratory directly helps along the United States’ objectives for discovering renewable alternative fuels for powering our economy and our lifestyles.
The NREL is set up to have several areas of expertise in energy research and development. It spearheads research and development efforts into renewable sources of electricity; these would include such things as solar power, wind power, biomass power, and geothermal power.
It also spearheads research and development of renewable fuels for powering our vehicles such as biomass and biodiesel fuels and hydrogen fuel cells. Then, it seeks to develop plans for integrated system enginnering; this includes bringing alternative energy into play within buildings, electrical grids and delivery systems, and transportation infrastructures.
The Laboratory is also set up for strategic development and analysis of alternative energy objectives through the forces of economics, market analysis and planning, and alternative energy investment portfolios structurings.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
The NREL is additionally equipped with a Technology Transfer Office. This Office supports laboratory scientists and engineers in the practical application of and ability to make a living from their expertise and the technologies they develop.
NREL’s research and development staff and its facilities are recognized for their remarkable prowess by private industry, which is reflected in the hundreds of collaborative projects and licensed technologies that the Laboratory now has with both public and private partners.
Where the mixed signals were coming from concerned the fact that at the same time the President was calling on more government backing for research and development, the NREL, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden, Colardo was laying off workers and contractors left and right.
Geothermal Tax Credits
Apparently, the Laboratory got the hint, because soon after the State of the Union Address, everyone was re-hired. The second speech of the President’s was actually given at the NREL. There is almost unanimous public support for the federal backing through research grants, tax breaks, and other financial incentives of research and development of alternative energy sources.
The NREL is the nation’s leading component of the National Bioenergy Center, a virtual center that has no central bricks and mortar office. The NREL’s raison d’etre is the advancing of the US Department of Energy’s and the United States’ alternative energy objectives.
The laboratory’s field researchers and staff scientists, in the words of Laboratory Director Dan Arvizu, support critical market objectives to accelerate research from scientific innovations to market-viable solutions. At the core of this strategic direction are NREL’s research and technology development areas.
These areas span from understanding renewable resources for energy, to the conversion of these resources to renewable electricity and fuels, and ultimately to the use of renewable electricity and fuels in homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles. The federally-backed Laboratory directly helps along the United States’ objectives for discovering renewable alternative fuels for powering our economy and our lifestyles.
The NREL is set up to have several areas of expertise in energy research and development. It spearheads research and development efforts into renewable sources of electricity; these would include such things as solar power, wind power, biomass power, and geothermal power.
It also spearheads research and development of renewable fuels for powering our vehicles such as biomass and biodiesel fuels and hydrogen fuel cells. Then, it seeks to develop plans for integrated system enginnering; this includes bringing alternative energy into play within buildings, electrical grids and delivery systems, and transportation infrastructures.
The Laboratory is also set up for strategic development and analysis of alternative energy objectives through the forces of economics, market analysis and planning, and alternative energy investment portfolios structurings.
Clearwater Geothermal Air Conditioning
The NREL is additionally equipped with a Technology Transfer Office. This Office supports laboratory scientists and engineers in the practical application of and ability to make a living from their expertise and the technologies they develop.
NREL’s research and development staff and its facilities are recognized for their remarkable prowess by private industry, which is reflected in the hundreds of collaborative projects and licensed technologies that the Laboratory now has with both public and private partners.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Global Warming - What Can We Do to help?
Global warming refers to the increase in average temperature near the earth’s surface and in its oceans. Climate change is another term used interchangeably with global warming. However, climate change may encompass other changes in climate besides increases in temperature.
In the past century the average air temperature near the earth’s surface has increased by around 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Various models have attempted to predict how these temperature changes may impact on the future. They variously predict increases from 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Most scientists agree that temperatures are likely to continue increasing. However, they do not agree nearly as much when it comes to predicting the magnitude of the increase.
So what actually causes the increased temperatures?
The earth’s temperature is affected by many factors such as:
The earth’s orbit – The tilt of the earth axis as it revolves around the sun influences the amount of sunlight reaching earth. Therefore changes in the earth’s orbit affects its surface temperature.
Changes in intensity of heat emitted by the sun can also affect temperature on earth.
Volcanic activity – Lava, ash, dust and hot gases from volcanic eruptions can create volcanic aerosols which reflect heat away from the earth’s surface and result in cooler temperatures. For instance 1816 is said to have been a year without a summer – widely believed to have been a result of the eruption of the Tambora volcano in Indonesia in the previous year. On the other hand, volcanoes also emit huge quantities of Carbon Dioxide, which tend to have the opposite effect and could lead to higher temperatures.
The causes listed above have existed for a very long time. However, since the Industrial Revolution and especially since 1900 another cause has taken precedence. Increased use of fossil fuels and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide have caused massive increases in greenhouse gases. This has led to increased temperatures through the greenhouse effect.
What is the greenhouse effect and how does it impact on surface temperature?
The earth receives heat from the sun. The earth loses heat by reflecting it back into the atmosphere. The atmosphere contains a mixture of gases that trap heat and keep the earth’s surface warm. This is similar to the mechanism that keeps the inside of a garden greenhouse warmer than the outside. These greenhouse gases are vital for life on earth. If they did not exist it is likely that earth would be too cold to sustain life. However, too much of a good thing can have bad consequences. As a result of our energy intensive lifestyles and the burning of vast quantities of fossil fuels the levels of greenhouse gases have been increasing rapidly which magnifies the greenhouse effect and traps more and more heat close to the earth’s surface. Greenhouse gases are primarily Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Ozone.
What are the consequences of global warming?
As the earth becomes hotter all year round the incidence of droughts and wildfires will increase. There is already evidence of this in effect. Many US cities have recorded their hottest ever temperatures within the last 3 decades and vast areas worldwide are drought affected and subject to horrific wildfires.
Warmer water in the oceans feeds energy into more and more powerful storms and dangerous hurricanes. The warmer seas also result in melting of glaciers and ice caps that in turn cause higher sea levels and flooding of coastal communities. Many small island nations in the Pacific face the prospect of becoming totally submerged in the very near future.
Spread of insect borne diseases such as malaria- Areas which were previously inhospitable to hosts of these diseases such as mosquitoes become breeding grounds as temperatures change. This could lead to the spread of tropical diseases to more temperate areas.
Changes in climate will also push many species of animals and plants to extinction as they struggle to survive in their changing environments.
As with most debates there are the naysayers, predominant among them is the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the only scientific society that rejects the conclusion that global warming is a threat.
However, if the 30 other scientific societies and academies who support the findings of global warming are to be believed, the consequences are obviously serious if not downright frightening! So what’s being done to control it?
Geothermal Tax Credits
Governments around the world have undertaken programs to cut back the level of emissions of greenhouse gases. For instance in the US the government has a strategy in place to reduce emissions by 18% over the 10 year period 2002 to 2012. To this end the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented many initiatives to encourage the reduction of emissions by various industries and other stakeholders.
However, this is not a responsibility that rests exclusively with government or regulatory bodies. Every individual contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore has an obligation to help cut back.
What can an individual do to help?
The list of ways to cut back on emissions is probably as long as the many ways that energy is expended but there are several obvious and relatively easy ways to achieve improvements:
In the US about half of greenhouse gas emissions come from power plants while about a third comes from transportation. Any activity that cuts back on power usage or reduced use of transportation would have a positive impact.
Using energy efficient electrical appliances including compact fluorescent lights instead of traditional globes would help. In the US energy efficient appliances in more than 50 categories can be identified by their “Energy Star” rating.
Geothermal Air Conditioning
Similarly using more fuel-efficient cars or perhaps even reducing the use of cars and opting for more “green” transport methods such a bicycles, using public transport or even walking could help.
Using vehicles that run on renewable fuel sources such as E85 (A fuel containing 85% Ethanol) or bio-diesel.
Ensuring that tire pressures are at appropriate levels and your vehicles engine is tuned to manufacturers specifications would also help reduce fuel consumption.
Switching to greener sources of energy. Using solar power directly where the technology permits. Where there is no option but to use electricity or other traditional energy sources then it may be possible to make this purchase from a supplier who uses green, non fossil fuel sources to produce it.
Planting trees to offset the effects of the carbon dioxide emissions created in the production of the energy and other products one consumes is another alternative. It isn’t necessary to do this oneself. Around the world there are organizations that are gearing up to do this on behalf of the many millions of concerned consumers. So for instance a power company could estimate the greenhouse gases emitted to produce a kilowatt-hour of electricity and then allow its customers an opportunity to pay to offset these emissions and become “carbon neutral”.
Other ways of conserving energy would include cutting back on waste thereby saving on the energy that would be expended on replacement of the wasted item – Recycle and reuse whenever possible.
Saving on water consumption – A huge amount of energy is spent on purifying water for consumption so cutting back on water waste will help considerably.
Ensuring you have efficient insulation and that cooling and heating appliances are cleaned and primed to work efficiently.
Although individual actions may seem trivial their cumulative impact worldwide can be literally life changing. It is clear that much can be done at an individual level to control global warming. Although they cannot agree on the magnitude of global warming the overwhelming majority of the scientific community agree that it is a very real problem. The time for action is now! The consequences of doing nothing are just too frightening to comprehend!
In the past century the average air temperature near the earth’s surface has increased by around 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Various models have attempted to predict how these temperature changes may impact on the future. They variously predict increases from 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Most scientists agree that temperatures are likely to continue increasing. However, they do not agree nearly as much when it comes to predicting the magnitude of the increase.
So what actually causes the increased temperatures?
The earth’s temperature is affected by many factors such as:
The earth’s orbit – The tilt of the earth axis as it revolves around the sun influences the amount of sunlight reaching earth. Therefore changes in the earth’s orbit affects its surface temperature.
Changes in intensity of heat emitted by the sun can also affect temperature on earth.
Volcanic activity – Lava, ash, dust and hot gases from volcanic eruptions can create volcanic aerosols which reflect heat away from the earth’s surface and result in cooler temperatures. For instance 1816 is said to have been a year without a summer – widely believed to have been a result of the eruption of the Tambora volcano in Indonesia in the previous year. On the other hand, volcanoes also emit huge quantities of Carbon Dioxide, which tend to have the opposite effect and could lead to higher temperatures.
The causes listed above have existed for a very long time. However, since the Industrial Revolution and especially since 1900 another cause has taken precedence. Increased use of fossil fuels and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide have caused massive increases in greenhouse gases. This has led to increased temperatures through the greenhouse effect.
What is the greenhouse effect and how does it impact on surface temperature?
The earth receives heat from the sun. The earth loses heat by reflecting it back into the atmosphere. The atmosphere contains a mixture of gases that trap heat and keep the earth’s surface warm. This is similar to the mechanism that keeps the inside of a garden greenhouse warmer than the outside. These greenhouse gases are vital for life on earth. If they did not exist it is likely that earth would be too cold to sustain life. However, too much of a good thing can have bad consequences. As a result of our energy intensive lifestyles and the burning of vast quantities of fossil fuels the levels of greenhouse gases have been increasing rapidly which magnifies the greenhouse effect and traps more and more heat close to the earth’s surface. Greenhouse gases are primarily Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Ozone.
What are the consequences of global warming?
As the earth becomes hotter all year round the incidence of droughts and wildfires will increase. There is already evidence of this in effect. Many US cities have recorded their hottest ever temperatures within the last 3 decades and vast areas worldwide are drought affected and subject to horrific wildfires.
Warmer water in the oceans feeds energy into more and more powerful storms and dangerous hurricanes. The warmer seas also result in melting of glaciers and ice caps that in turn cause higher sea levels and flooding of coastal communities. Many small island nations in the Pacific face the prospect of becoming totally submerged in the very near future.
Spread of insect borne diseases such as malaria- Areas which were previously inhospitable to hosts of these diseases such as mosquitoes become breeding grounds as temperatures change. This could lead to the spread of tropical diseases to more temperate areas.
Changes in climate will also push many species of animals and plants to extinction as they struggle to survive in their changing environments.
As with most debates there are the naysayers, predominant among them is the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the only scientific society that rejects the conclusion that global warming is a threat.
However, if the 30 other scientific societies and academies who support the findings of global warming are to be believed, the consequences are obviously serious if not downright frightening! So what’s being done to control it?
Geothermal Tax Credits
Governments around the world have undertaken programs to cut back the level of emissions of greenhouse gases. For instance in the US the government has a strategy in place to reduce emissions by 18% over the 10 year period 2002 to 2012. To this end the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented many initiatives to encourage the reduction of emissions by various industries and other stakeholders.
However, this is not a responsibility that rests exclusively with government or regulatory bodies. Every individual contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore has an obligation to help cut back.
What can an individual do to help?
The list of ways to cut back on emissions is probably as long as the many ways that energy is expended but there are several obvious and relatively easy ways to achieve improvements:
In the US about half of greenhouse gas emissions come from power plants while about a third comes from transportation. Any activity that cuts back on power usage or reduced use of transportation would have a positive impact.
Using energy efficient electrical appliances including compact fluorescent lights instead of traditional globes would help. In the US energy efficient appliances in more than 50 categories can be identified by their “Energy Star” rating.
Geothermal Air Conditioning
Similarly using more fuel-efficient cars or perhaps even reducing the use of cars and opting for more “green” transport methods such a bicycles, using public transport or even walking could help.
Using vehicles that run on renewable fuel sources such as E85 (A fuel containing 85% Ethanol) or bio-diesel.
Ensuring that tire pressures are at appropriate levels and your vehicles engine is tuned to manufacturers specifications would also help reduce fuel consumption.
Switching to greener sources of energy. Using solar power directly where the technology permits. Where there is no option but to use electricity or other traditional energy sources then it may be possible to make this purchase from a supplier who uses green, non fossil fuel sources to produce it.
Planting trees to offset the effects of the carbon dioxide emissions created in the production of the energy and other products one consumes is another alternative. It isn’t necessary to do this oneself. Around the world there are organizations that are gearing up to do this on behalf of the many millions of concerned consumers. So for instance a power company could estimate the greenhouse gases emitted to produce a kilowatt-hour of electricity and then allow its customers an opportunity to pay to offset these emissions and become “carbon neutral”.
Other ways of conserving energy would include cutting back on waste thereby saving on the energy that would be expended on replacement of the wasted item – Recycle and reuse whenever possible.
Saving on water consumption – A huge amount of energy is spent on purifying water for consumption so cutting back on water waste will help considerably.
Ensuring you have efficient insulation and that cooling and heating appliances are cleaned and primed to work efficiently.
Although individual actions may seem trivial their cumulative impact worldwide can be literally life changing. It is clear that much can be done at an individual level to control global warming. Although they cannot agree on the magnitude of global warming the overwhelming majority of the scientific community agree that it is a very real problem. The time for action is now! The consequences of doing nothing are just too frightening to comprehend!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Geothermal Renewable Energy - The Earth
The heat of the Earth makes up what is known as geothermal energy. When dust and gasses from Earth mixed together 4 billion years ago, geothermal energy resulted.
Inside the Earth at its core, some 4, 000 miles deep, the temperature is estimated at about 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Geothermal energy has been used throughout history for bathing, relaxing, cooking and heating. It was thought by some to have healing effects and was used to treat eye and skin diseases. The first geothermal generator that produced energy was built in Lardarello, Italy in 1904. The United States followed with their first attempt at geothermal power in 1912 at The Geysers in California. Today it is produced in twenty-one countries around the world.
Geothermal energy is located deep in the ground. The heat at the core of the Earth has an outward flow. As it moves, it is transferred to surrounding rock layers called the mantle. As temperatures and pressure increase, the rock melts and becomes magma. The magma moves toward the surface of the earth carrying the heat with it. If the magma reaches the Earth’s surface, it becomes lava. However, most of it stays below the Earth’s crust and heats rocks and water that surround it. These temperatures can reach up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water travels to the Earth’s surface, it becomes hot springs or geysers. Mostly it stays trapped in fractured, porous rocks called geothermal reservoirs. This heat near the Earth’s surface becomes a form of energy.
Tampa Geothermal Air Conditioning
Hot water or steam from the reservoir exerts a force that can spin a turbine connected to a generator and produces electricity. The cooled water is then returned to the reservoir in order for it to reheat. Much exploration and testing needs to be done to determine where the geothermal underground waters are. When ideal spots are located, drilling is done to create production wells that bring the water to the Earth’s surface for power generation in geothermal power plants.
Although the costs to construct geothermal plants and geothermal wells are high, the cost of producing electricity is lower over time. The fuel is reliable, stable and does not need to be transported. The white smoke you will see over geothermal power plants is not smoke but rather steam. During the process of operations it may, however, bring some hazardous gases from underground.
The United States stands as the biggest producer of geothermal energy. Unfortunately, interest in it is low and it only accounts for about 1% of this country’s energy supply. Through research and experience new methods and technologies for accessing geothermal energy will improve. Tapping into the heat under the Earth’s surface can produce much more of the nations energy. We are at a point where renewable energy sources must make their way to the forefront of the energy picture. Not only are fossil fuels being depleted, but also they are ruining our air quality. In time, geothermal energy may become an appealing alternative. Competitive pricing and minimal environmental impact could produce a hot future for this renewable energy source.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Geothermal Q&A
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Questions You Should Ask About a New Heating and Cooling System.
Regardless of the type of heating and cooling system you may be considering for your home or business, there are specific questions you should ask the dealer/ installer. These questions deal with finding out the actual efficiency of the system, any operating limitations it may have, and the bottom line of operating costs. The answers here are meant as a guide for what you should try to find out with your questions.
Q: What is the Btuh [kW] size of the heat pump or furnace that’s being proposed?
A: Heating systems are designed to provide specific amounts of heat energy per hour. The term “Btuh” [kW] refers to how much heat can be produced by the unit. Before you can know what size system you’ll need, you must have a heat loss/heat gain calculation done on your home. From that, an accurate determination can be made on the size of the heating/cooling system. Many fossil fuel furnaces are substantially oversized for home heating requirements, resulting in increased operating costs.
Q: Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer’s average?
A: All types of heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory conditions. To get an accurate installed efficiency rating, factors such as flue gas heat losses, cycling losses caused by oversizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be included. Air conditioners are normally rated in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). SEER and EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) cannot be directly compared without the use of software.
Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their Coefficient of Performance or COP for heating and EER for cooling. It’s a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses.
Most geothermal heat pumps systems have COPs of 3.5 – 5.0.That means for every one unit of energy used to power the system, 3.5 to 5 units are supplied as heat. Whereas a fossil fuel furnace may be 80-90 percent efficient, a geothermal heat pump is about 450 percent efficient. Some geothermal heat pump manufacturers and electric utilities use software to accurately determine the operating efficiency of a system for your home. Software like ClimateMaster GeoDesigner allows comparisons in dollars to avoid the confusion of the various rating systems.
Q: Will the minimum entering water temperature have an affect on which heat pump I buy?
A: Yes. If you have an open-loop system, your entering water temperatures (EWTs) may range from the 70s°F [20s°C] in the southern United States to the 40s°F [single digits, °C] in Canada. All heat pumps can handle temperatures in the moderate to warm ranges. A closed-loop system, on the other hand, may encounter EWTs below freezing. Not all ground-source heat pumps will operate at those low temperatures. It’s important for you to know what EWTs your heat pump will handle.
Q: Are the dealer and loop installers qualified?
A: Don’t be afraid to ask for references from dealers. A reputable dealer won’t hesitate to give you names and numbers to call to confirm his capabilities.The same applies to the loop installer.
Q: Will open- or closed-loop be best for you?
A: That depends on several factors, as stated earlier. A dealer should be willing to install what’s best for you, not for him.
Q: Will the loop joints be heat fused?
A: The only acceptable method for joining buried sections of the special pipe used for closed loop systems is heat fusion. Any other method will eventually result in the failure of the loop.
Q: How long is the payback period for your ground- source heat pump system?
A: To figure this accurately, you must know how much per year you’ll save in energy costs with a ground-source system, and the difference between it and a traditional heating system and central air conditioner. As an example: if you’ll save $700 per year with a ground-source system and the costs difference is $2,000, your payback would be less than three years.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
Q: If a home has ceiling cable heat or baseboard heat, do air ducts need to be installed?
A: Not always. It may be desirable to install ground- source heat pump room units. For some small homes, one room unit would provide most of the heating and cooling needs. Ceiling cable or baseboard units could then be used for supplemental heat.
Q: Can I use a geothermal heat pump for radiant floor heating (warm floors)?
A: Yes. Water-to-Water heat pumps heat water instead of air. The principle is the same as far as loop piping is concerned. Warm water is circulated through the floor to heat the home.
Regardless of the type of heating and cooling system you may be considering for your home or business, there are specific questions you should ask the dealer/ installer. These questions deal with finding out the actual efficiency of the system, any operating limitations it may have, and the bottom line of operating costs. The answers here are meant as a guide for what you should try to find out with your questions.
Q: What is the Btuh [kW] size of the heat pump or furnace that’s being proposed?
A: Heating systems are designed to provide specific amounts of heat energy per hour. The term “Btuh” [kW] refers to how much heat can be produced by the unit. Before you can know what size system you’ll need, you must have a heat loss/heat gain calculation done on your home. From that, an accurate determination can be made on the size of the heating/cooling system. Many fossil fuel furnaces are substantially oversized for home heating requirements, resulting in increased operating costs.
Q: Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer’s average?
A: All types of heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory conditions. To get an accurate installed efficiency rating, factors such as flue gas heat losses, cycling losses caused by oversizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be included. Air conditioners are normally rated in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). SEER and EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) cannot be directly compared without the use of software.
Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their Coefficient of Performance or COP for heating and EER for cooling. It’s a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses.
Most geothermal heat pumps systems have COPs of 3.5 – 5.0.That means for every one unit of energy used to power the system, 3.5 to 5 units are supplied as heat. Whereas a fossil fuel furnace may be 80-90 percent efficient, a geothermal heat pump is about 450 percent efficient. Some geothermal heat pump manufacturers and electric utilities use software to accurately determine the operating efficiency of a system for your home. Software like ClimateMaster GeoDesigner allows comparisons in dollars to avoid the confusion of the various rating systems.
Q: Will the minimum entering water temperature have an affect on which heat pump I buy?
A: Yes. If you have an open-loop system, your entering water temperatures (EWTs) may range from the 70s°F [20s°C] in the southern United States to the 40s°F [single digits, °C] in Canada. All heat pumps can handle temperatures in the moderate to warm ranges. A closed-loop system, on the other hand, may encounter EWTs below freezing. Not all ground-source heat pumps will operate at those low temperatures. It’s important for you to know what EWTs your heat pump will handle.
Q: Are the dealer and loop installers qualified?
A: Don’t be afraid to ask for references from dealers. A reputable dealer won’t hesitate to give you names and numbers to call to confirm his capabilities.The same applies to the loop installer.
Q: Will open- or closed-loop be best for you?
A: That depends on several factors, as stated earlier. A dealer should be willing to install what’s best for you, not for him.
Q: Will the loop joints be heat fused?
A: The only acceptable method for joining buried sections of the special pipe used for closed loop systems is heat fusion. Any other method will eventually result in the failure of the loop.
Q: How long is the payback period for your ground- source heat pump system?
A: To figure this accurately, you must know how much per year you’ll save in energy costs with a ground-source system, and the difference between it and a traditional heating system and central air conditioner. As an example: if you’ll save $700 per year with a ground-source system and the costs difference is $2,000, your payback would be less than three years.
Tampa Geothermal Installation
Q: If a home has ceiling cable heat or baseboard heat, do air ducts need to be installed?
A: Not always. It may be desirable to install ground- source heat pump room units. For some small homes, one room unit would provide most of the heating and cooling needs. Ceiling cable or baseboard units could then be used for supplemental heat.
Q: Can I use a geothermal heat pump for radiant floor heating (warm floors)?
A: Yes. Water-to-Water heat pumps heat water instead of air. The principle is the same as far as loop piping is concerned. Warm water is circulated through the floor to heat the home.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Open-Loop Systems
Q: What is an open-loop system?
A: The term “Open-Loop” is commonly used to describe a geothermal heat pump system that uses groundwater from a conventional well as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer. The groundwater is pumped through the heat pump where heat is extracted (in winter) or rejected (in summer), then the water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. Since groundwater is a relatively constant temperature year-round, it is an excellent heat source/heat sink. An example of a groundwater installation
Q: What do I do with the discharge water?
A: There are a number of ways to dispose of water after it has passed through the heat pump. The open discharge method is the easiest and least expensive. Open discharge simply involves releasing the water into a stream, river, lake, pond, ditch or drainage tile. Obviously, one of these alternatives must be readily available and must possess the capacity to accept the amount of water used by the heat pump before open discharge is feasible. A second means of water discharge is the return well. A return well is a second well bore that returns the water to the ground aquifer. A return well must have enough capacity to dispose of the water passed through the heat pump. A new return well should be installed by a qualified well driller. Likewise, a professional should test the capacity of an existing well before it is used as a return.
Q: How much groundwater does an open-loop system need?
A: Geothermal heat pumps used in open-loop systems need differing amounts of water depending on the size of the unit. The water requirement of a specific model is usually expressed in gallons per minute (l/s) and is listed in the specifications for that unit. Your heating and cooling contractor should be able to provide this information. Generally, the average system will use 6-10 G.P.M. [0.4 – 0.6 l/s] while operating. An extremely cold day might result in a usage of 6,000-10,000 gallons [23,000 – 38,000 liters] of water. Your well and pump combination should be large enough to supply the water needed by the heat pump in addition to your domestic water requirements. You will probably need to enlarge your pressure tank or modify your plumbing to supply adequate water to the heat pump.
Q: What problems can be caused by poor water quality?
A: Poor water quality can cause serious problems in open-loop systems. Your water should be tested for hardness, acidity and iron content before a heat pump is installed. Your contractor can tell you what level of water quality is acceptable. Mineral deposits can build up inside the heat pump’s heat exchanger. Sometimes a periodic cleaning with a mild acid solution is all that’s needed to remove the build-up. Impurities, particularly iron, can eventually clog a return well. If your water has a high iron content you should be sure that the discharge water is not aerated before it’s injected into a return well. Finally, you should opt against using water from a spring, pond, lake or river as a source for your heat pump system unless it’s proven to be free of excessive particles and organic matter. They can clog a heat pump system and make it inoperable in a short time. If water quality is a concern, a closed-loop system should be used.
Q: Does an open-loop system cause environmental damage?
A: No. They are pollution free. The heat pump merely removes heat from or adds heat to the water. No pollutants are added whatsoever. The only change in the water returned to the environment is a slight increase or decrease in temperature.
Q: Are there any laws that apply to open-loop installations?
A: In some localities, all or parts of the installation may be subject to local ordinances, codes, covenants or licensing requirements. Check with local authorities to determine if any restrictions apply in your area. Geothermal Heat Pumps: Parts of the System.
Q: What are the components of a geothermal heat pump system?
A: The three main parts are the heat pump unit, the liquid heat exchange medium (open or closed loop), and the air delivery system (ductwork).
Q: Are all geothermal heat pumps alike?
A: No. There are different kinds of geothermal heat pumps designed for specific applications. Many geothermal heat pumps, for example, are intended for use only with higher temperature ground water encountered in open-loop systems. Others will operate at entering water temperatures as low as 20°F [-7°C] which is required for closed- loop systems. Geothermal heat pumps can also differ in the way they are designed. Self-contained units combine the blower, compressor, water heat exchanger and air coil in a single cabinet. Split systems allow the coil to be added to a forced-air furnace and utilize the existing blower.
Q: Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?
A: Geothermal heat pumps will reduce your heating and cooling costs regardless of how well your home is insulated. However, insulating and weatherizing are key factors in realizing the most savings from any type of heating and cooling system.
Q: Can a geothermal heat pump also heat water for my home?
A: Yes. Using what’s called a Hot Water Generator (HWG), some types of geothermal heat pumps can save you up to 50 percent on your water heating bill by pre-heating tank water. The HWG is a factory-installed option.
Q: Is a geothermal heat pump difficult to install?
A: Most units are easy to install, especially when they are replacing another forced-air system. They can be installed in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel furnaces because there is no combustion, thus, no need to vent exhaust gases. Ductwork must be installed in homes that don’t have an existing air distribution system. The difficulty of installing ductwork will vary and should be assessed by a contractor.
Q: Can a geothermal heat pump be added to my fossil fuel (Gas, oil, propane) furnace?
A: Split systems can easily be added to existing furnaces for those wishing to have a dual-fuel system. Use the heat pump as the main heating source and a furnace as a supplement in extremely cold weather if additional heat is needed.
A: The term “Open-Loop” is commonly used to describe a geothermal heat pump system that uses groundwater from a conventional well as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer. The groundwater is pumped through the heat pump where heat is extracted (in winter) or rejected (in summer), then the water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. Since groundwater is a relatively constant temperature year-round, it is an excellent heat source/heat sink. An example of a groundwater installation
Q: What do I do with the discharge water?
A: There are a number of ways to dispose of water after it has passed through the heat pump. The open discharge method is the easiest and least expensive. Open discharge simply involves releasing the water into a stream, river, lake, pond, ditch or drainage tile. Obviously, one of these alternatives must be readily available and must possess the capacity to accept the amount of water used by the heat pump before open discharge is feasible. A second means of water discharge is the return well. A return well is a second well bore that returns the water to the ground aquifer. A return well must have enough capacity to dispose of the water passed through the heat pump. A new return well should be installed by a qualified well driller. Likewise, a professional should test the capacity of an existing well before it is used as a return.
Q: How much groundwater does an open-loop system need?
A: Geothermal heat pumps used in open-loop systems need differing amounts of water depending on the size of the unit. The water requirement of a specific model is usually expressed in gallons per minute (l/s) and is listed in the specifications for that unit. Your heating and cooling contractor should be able to provide this information. Generally, the average system will use 6-10 G.P.M. [0.4 – 0.6 l/s] while operating. An extremely cold day might result in a usage of 6,000-10,000 gallons [23,000 – 38,000 liters] of water. Your well and pump combination should be large enough to supply the water needed by the heat pump in addition to your domestic water requirements. You will probably need to enlarge your pressure tank or modify your plumbing to supply adequate water to the heat pump.
Q: What problems can be caused by poor water quality?
A: Poor water quality can cause serious problems in open-loop systems. Your water should be tested for hardness, acidity and iron content before a heat pump is installed. Your contractor can tell you what level of water quality is acceptable. Mineral deposits can build up inside the heat pump’s heat exchanger. Sometimes a periodic cleaning with a mild acid solution is all that’s needed to remove the build-up. Impurities, particularly iron, can eventually clog a return well. If your water has a high iron content you should be sure that the discharge water is not aerated before it’s injected into a return well. Finally, you should opt against using water from a spring, pond, lake or river as a source for your heat pump system unless it’s proven to be free of excessive particles and organic matter. They can clog a heat pump system and make it inoperable in a short time. If water quality is a concern, a closed-loop system should be used.
Q: Does an open-loop system cause environmental damage?
A: No. They are pollution free. The heat pump merely removes heat from or adds heat to the water. No pollutants are added whatsoever. The only change in the water returned to the environment is a slight increase or decrease in temperature.
Q: Are there any laws that apply to open-loop installations?
A: In some localities, all or parts of the installation may be subject to local ordinances, codes, covenants or licensing requirements. Check with local authorities to determine if any restrictions apply in your area. Geothermal Heat Pumps: Parts of the System.
Q: What are the components of a geothermal heat pump system?
A: The three main parts are the heat pump unit, the liquid heat exchange medium (open or closed loop), and the air delivery system (ductwork).
Q: Are all geothermal heat pumps alike?
A: No. There are different kinds of geothermal heat pumps designed for specific applications. Many geothermal heat pumps, for example, are intended for use only with higher temperature ground water encountered in open-loop systems. Others will operate at entering water temperatures as low as 20°F [-7°C] which is required for closed- loop systems. Geothermal heat pumps can also differ in the way they are designed. Self-contained units combine the blower, compressor, water heat exchanger and air coil in a single cabinet. Split systems allow the coil to be added to a forced-air furnace and utilize the existing blower.
Q: Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?
A: Geothermal heat pumps will reduce your heating and cooling costs regardless of how well your home is insulated. However, insulating and weatherizing are key factors in realizing the most savings from any type of heating and cooling system.
Q: Can a geothermal heat pump also heat water for my home?
A: Yes. Using what’s called a Hot Water Generator (HWG), some types of geothermal heat pumps can save you up to 50 percent on your water heating bill by pre-heating tank water. The HWG is a factory-installed option.
Q: Is a geothermal heat pump difficult to install?
A: Most units are easy to install, especially when they are replacing another forced-air system. They can be installed in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel furnaces because there is no combustion, thus, no need to vent exhaust gases. Ductwork must be installed in homes that don’t have an existing air distribution system. The difficulty of installing ductwork will vary and should be assessed by a contractor.
Q: Can a geothermal heat pump be added to my fossil fuel (Gas, oil, propane) furnace?
A: Split systems can easily be added to existing furnaces for those wishing to have a dual-fuel system. Use the heat pump as the main heating source and a furnace as a supplement in extremely cold weather if additional heat is needed.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Closed-Loop Systems
Q: What is a closed-loop system?
A: The term “closed-loop” is used to describe a geothermal heat pump system that uses a continuous loop of special buried plastic pipe as a heat exchanger. The pipe is connected to the indoor heat pump to form a sealed, underground loop through which water or an anti-freeze solution – depending on where you live – is circulated. Unlike an open-loop system that consumes water from a well, a closed-loop system recirculates its heat transferring solution in pressurized pipe.
Q: Where can this loop be located?
A: That depends on land availability and terrain. Closed-loops are trenched horizontally in yards adjacent to the home if the yard is large enough. Or, for smaller yards, the loops can be installed vertically using a drill rig, much like a water well installation.
Q: How deep and long will my horizontal trenches be?
A: Trenches are normally four to six feet deep [1.2 1.8 meters]. One of the advantages of a horizontal loop system is being able to lay the trenches according to the shape of the land. As a rule of thumb, 125 – 300 feet of trench are required per ton of heat pump capacity [11 – 27 meters per kW of capacity].
Q: How many pipes are in a trench?
A: Anywhere from 1 to 6 pipes per trench may be used, depending upon the optimal design for the yard. More pipe per trench shortens the total amount of trench required.
Q: What if I don’t have enough room for a horizontal loop?
A: Closed-loop systems can also be vertical. Holes are bored to about 150 – 300 feet per ton of heat pump capacity [13 – 27 meters per kW of capacity]. U-shaped loops of pipe are inserted in the holes. The holes are then back-filled with a sealing solution (grouting material).
Q: How long will the loop pipe last?
A: Closed-loop systems should only be installed using the appropriate high-density polyethylene pipe. Properly installed, these pipes will last over 50 years. They are inert to chemicals normally found in soil and have good heat conducting properties. PVC pipe should not be used under any circumstances.
Q: How are the buried pipe sections of the loop joined?
A: The only acceptable method to connect pipe sections is by thermal fusion. Pipe connections are heated and fused together to form a joint stronger than the original pipe. Mechanical joining of pipe for an earth loop is never an accepted practice. The use of barbed fittings, clamps and glued joints is certain to result in loop failure due to leaks.
Q: Will an earth loop affect my lawn or landscape?
A: No. Research has proven that loops have no adverse effect on grass, trees or shrubs. Most horizontal loop installations use trenches about 3 feet [1 meter] or less wide. This, of course, will leave temporary bare areas that can be restored with grass seed or sod. Vertical loops require little space and result in minimal lawn damage.
Geothermal Tax Credits
Q: Can I reclaim heat from my septic system disposal field?
A: No. Depending upon your geographic location, an earth loop will reach temperatures below freezing during extreme conditions and may freeze your septic system. Such usage is banned in many areas.
Q: If the loop falls below freezing, will it hurt the system?
A: No. The antifreeze solution used in loops that operate at low temperatures will keep it from freezing down to about 15°F [-9°C] fluid temperature. In the U.S. and Canada, three types of antifreeze solution are acceptable: propylene glycol, methyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol. Some states/ provinces may require one type over another.
Q: Can I install an earth loop myself?
A: It’s not recommended. In addition to thermal fusion of the pipe, good pipe-to-soil contact is very important for successful loop operation. Nonprofessional installations may result in less than optimum heat pump performance.
Q: I have a pond near my home. Can I put a loop in it?
A: Yes, if it’s deep enough and large enough. A minimum of 8 – 10 feet [2.5 – 3 meters] in depth at its lowest level during the year is needed for a pond to be considered. In pond loops, polyethylene pipe must be used. Generally, a minimum of 1/2 acre [0.2 hectare] pond is required to provide adequate surface area for heat transfer.
A: The term “closed-loop” is used to describe a geothermal heat pump system that uses a continuous loop of special buried plastic pipe as a heat exchanger. The pipe is connected to the indoor heat pump to form a sealed, underground loop through which water or an anti-freeze solution – depending on where you live – is circulated. Unlike an open-loop system that consumes water from a well, a closed-loop system recirculates its heat transferring solution in pressurized pipe.
Q: Where can this loop be located?
A: That depends on land availability and terrain. Closed-loops are trenched horizontally in yards adjacent to the home if the yard is large enough. Or, for smaller yards, the loops can be installed vertically using a drill rig, much like a water well installation.
Q: How deep and long will my horizontal trenches be?
A: Trenches are normally four to six feet deep [1.2 1.8 meters]. One of the advantages of a horizontal loop system is being able to lay the trenches according to the shape of the land. As a rule of thumb, 125 – 300 feet of trench are required per ton of heat pump capacity [11 – 27 meters per kW of capacity].
Q: How many pipes are in a trench?
A: Anywhere from 1 to 6 pipes per trench may be used, depending upon the optimal design for the yard. More pipe per trench shortens the total amount of trench required.
Q: What if I don’t have enough room for a horizontal loop?
A: Closed-loop systems can also be vertical. Holes are bored to about 150 – 300 feet per ton of heat pump capacity [13 – 27 meters per kW of capacity]. U-shaped loops of pipe are inserted in the holes. The holes are then back-filled with a sealing solution (grouting material).
Q: How long will the loop pipe last?
A: Closed-loop systems should only be installed using the appropriate high-density polyethylene pipe. Properly installed, these pipes will last over 50 years. They are inert to chemicals normally found in soil and have good heat conducting properties. PVC pipe should not be used under any circumstances.
Q: How are the buried pipe sections of the loop joined?
A: The only acceptable method to connect pipe sections is by thermal fusion. Pipe connections are heated and fused together to form a joint stronger than the original pipe. Mechanical joining of pipe for an earth loop is never an accepted practice. The use of barbed fittings, clamps and glued joints is certain to result in loop failure due to leaks.
Q: Will an earth loop affect my lawn or landscape?
A: No. Research has proven that loops have no adverse effect on grass, trees or shrubs. Most horizontal loop installations use trenches about 3 feet [1 meter] or less wide. This, of course, will leave temporary bare areas that can be restored with grass seed or sod. Vertical loops require little space and result in minimal lawn damage.
Geothermal Tax Credits
Q: Can I reclaim heat from my septic system disposal field?
A: No. Depending upon your geographic location, an earth loop will reach temperatures below freezing during extreme conditions and may freeze your septic system. Such usage is banned in many areas.
Q: If the loop falls below freezing, will it hurt the system?
A: No. The antifreeze solution used in loops that operate at low temperatures will keep it from freezing down to about 15°F [-9°C] fluid temperature. In the U.S. and Canada, three types of antifreeze solution are acceptable: propylene glycol, methyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol. Some states/ provinces may require one type over another.
Q: Can I install an earth loop myself?
A: It’s not recommended. In addition to thermal fusion of the pipe, good pipe-to-soil contact is very important for successful loop operation. Nonprofessional installations may result in less than optimum heat pump performance.
Q: I have a pond near my home. Can I put a loop in it?
A: Yes, if it’s deep enough and large enough. A minimum of 8 – 10 feet [2.5 – 3 meters] in depth at its lowest level during the year is needed for a pond to be considered. In pond loops, polyethylene pipe must be used. Generally, a minimum of 1/2 acre [0.2 hectare] pond is required to provide adequate surface area for heat transfer.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Geothermal Comfort: Investing in Savings
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) geothermal systems are,“the most energy- efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.” Extremely high levels of efficiency are possible because a geothermal heat pump only uses electricity to move heat, not produce it. A geothermal unit typically supplies four to five kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of electricity used. Three to four of these kilowatts of heat come directly from the earth itself, and are clean, free and renewable. Geothermal heat pumps also take advantage of the mild ground temperature for extremely high efficiency cooling. Most systems also include a hot water generator, which diverts a portion of the supplied heat to the domestic water heater. This provides a substantial portion of a family’s hot water needs at a very low cost. Overall, geothermal technology offers the highest cooling and heating efficiencies of any system available today.
Geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode. Water is used as the heat transfer medium through a closed loop piping system buried in the ground. By using this stable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps provide energy efficient comfort year around with a factory- tested and sealed packaged unit, without the need for a noisy outdoor fan, or a flue.
The environmental advantages of geothermal systems have caught the eye of governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Because geothermal technology is lowest in CO2 emissions, it provides a solution to global warming by primarily using the natural energy of the earth. EarthPure® (R-410A) zero ozone depletion refrigerant is available for ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps for an even friendlier system.
In January 2006 the U.S. Federal government changed the minimum efficiency for air conditioners to 13 SEER from the previous minimum requirement of 10 SEER. Geothermal systems are up to twice the minimum required efficiency! As efficiency ratings increase, operating costs decrease. However, efficiency ratings alone do not tell the “whole story” when it comes to operating costs for homeowners. Fuel type, home construction, geographic location and thermostat settings are just some of the factors.
Over the years, geothermal systems have always been the leader in low operating costs. Recently, however, fossil fuels (natural gas, fuel oil and propane) have begun increasing at a much higher rate than electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that electricity prices will remain stable over the next twenty years, allowing some increase for inflation. Now is the time to consider electric technologies like geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water needs.
Clearwater Geothermal Installation
Even a high efficiency natural gas furnace with a high efficiency air conditioner is still nearly twice the operating costs as a geothermal system. Since these comparisons are for new equipment (i.e. standard efficiencies = 13 SEER efficiency for air conditioners and 80% AFUE efficiency for furnaces), comparisons to existing equipment being replaced by a geothermal system would be even more dramatic. If the existing air conditioner is older, it may have an efficiency of between 8 and 10 SEER. Older furnaces could be as low as 65-70% efficient.
Geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode. Water is used as the heat transfer medium through a closed loop piping system buried in the ground. By using this stable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps provide energy efficient comfort year around with a factory- tested and sealed packaged unit, without the need for a noisy outdoor fan, or a flue.
The environmental advantages of geothermal systems have caught the eye of governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Because geothermal technology is lowest in CO2 emissions, it provides a solution to global warming by primarily using the natural energy of the earth. EarthPure® (R-410A) zero ozone depletion refrigerant is available for ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps for an even friendlier system.
In January 2006 the U.S. Federal government changed the minimum efficiency for air conditioners to 13 SEER from the previous minimum requirement of 10 SEER. Geothermal systems are up to twice the minimum required efficiency! As efficiency ratings increase, operating costs decrease. However, efficiency ratings alone do not tell the “whole story” when it comes to operating costs for homeowners. Fuel type, home construction, geographic location and thermostat settings are just some of the factors.
Over the years, geothermal systems have always been the leader in low operating costs. Recently, however, fossil fuels (natural gas, fuel oil and propane) have begun increasing at a much higher rate than electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that electricity prices will remain stable over the next twenty years, allowing some increase for inflation. Now is the time to consider electric technologies like geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water needs.
Clearwater Geothermal Installation
Even a high efficiency natural gas furnace with a high efficiency air conditioner is still nearly twice the operating costs as a geothermal system. Since these comparisons are for new equipment (i.e. standard efficiencies = 13 SEER efficiency for air conditioners and 80% AFUE efficiency for furnaces), comparisons to existing equipment being replaced by a geothermal system would be even more dramatic. If the existing air conditioner is older, it may have an efficiency of between 8 and 10 SEER. Older furnaces could be as low as 65-70% efficient.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Everything You Need To Know About Green Energy
Green energy refers to the use of power that is not only more efficient than fossil fuel but that is friendly to the environment as well. Green energy is generally defined as energy sources that don't pollute and are renewable.
There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydro-power on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.
Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.
The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.
Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.
As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.
Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.
The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.
Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.
Geothermal Air Conditioning
While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.
Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energies impact is minimal, however.
There are several categories of green energy (GE). They are anaerobic digestion, wind power, geothermal power, hydro-power on a small scale, biomass power, solar power and wave power. Waste incineration can even be a source of green energy.
Nuclear power plants claim that they produce green energy as well, though this source is fraught with controversy, as we all know. While nuclear energy may be sustainable, may be considered renewable and does not pollute the atmosphere while it is producing energy, its waste does pollute the biosphere as it is released.
The transport, mining and phases before and after production of nuclear energy does produce and release carbon dioxide and similar destructive greenhouse gases. When we read of green energy, therefore, we rarely see nuclear power included.
Those who support nuclear energy say that nuclear waste is not, in fact, released into our earths biosphere during its normal production cycle. They stress as well that the carbon dioxide that nuclear energy production releases is comparable, in terms of each kilowatt hour of electricity, to such sources of GE as wind power.
As an example of the GE production the average wind turbine, such as the one in Reading England, can produce enough energy daily to be the only energy source for 1000 households.
Many countries now offer household and commercial consumers to opt for total use of green energy. They do this one of two ways. Consumers can buy their electricity from a company that only uses renewable green energy technology, or they can buy from their general supplies such as the local utility company who then buys from GE resources only as much of a supply as consumers pay for.
The latter is generally a more cost – efficient way of supplying a home or office with GE, as the supplier can reap the economic benefits of a mass purchase. Green energy generally costs more per kilowatt hour than standard fossil fuel energy.
Consumers can also purchase green energy certificates, which are alternately referred to as green tags or green certificates. These are available in both Europe and the United States, and are the most convenient method for the average consumer to support green energy. More than 35 million European households and one million American households now buy these GE certificates.
Geothermal Air Conditioning
While GE is a great step in the direction of keeping our environment healthy and our air as pollutant free as possible, it must be noted that no matter what the energy, it will negatively impact the environment to some extent.
Every energy source, green or otherwise, requires energy. The production of this energy will create pollution during its manufacture. Green energies impact is minimal, however.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Overview Of Solar Energy And Other Renewable Energy Sources
When we talk about renewable energy we are referring to power that delivers energy from resources that will not be depleted because of our use of them. Renewable energy is an alternative to non-renewable fossil fuel energy for reasons other than the factor of non-depletion.
One basic benefit of renewable energy, and the reason environmentalists all over the globe are advocate its use, is that it does give off greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants as do the by-products of burning fossil fuel for energy. Renewable energy such as solar power, water power and wind power, while the widespread discussion of which is new, are anything but new.
In both newly developing and highly developed countries wind, sun and water have long been used as power sources, though not to the extent of providing the primary energy source for large metropolitan communities.
The mass production of such renewable energy is become commonplace in recent years as more and more people come to realize how climate is changing due to the pollution of fossil fuel gases, due to the exhaustion of the availability of these fossil fuels and the political and social concerns of energy sources such as nuclear power.
Many countries and non-profit environmentally-conscious organizations are encouraging the use of renewable energy sources by passing legislation on tax incentives for their use and subsidies to offset the added expense of converting from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
The flow of renewable energy involves phenomena that occur naturally in our world. Tides, sunlight, wind and heat derived by geothermal occurrences all provide renewable energy. Each of these energy sources is unique both in where we can use them and how.
Tampa Geothermal Energy
Most technology that converts renewable energy into power sources we can use are powered at least in part by the Sun if not directly at least indirectly. The earths atmospheric system stays in such equilibrium that the heat that it gives off radiates into space to an amount equal to the radiation that comes to earth from the sun.
The result of this energy level within the atmosphere is roughly translated to the climate of the earth. The water of the earth, also referred to its hydrosphere, absorbs a lot of the radiation that comes to us from the sun.
Most of the radiation gets absorbed at the lower latitudes of the earth that exist around the equator. This energy gets dissipated all around the globe, however, in the form of ocean and wind currents.
The motion of the ocean waves might have a role in transference of mechanical energy between the ocean and the earths atmosphere by way of wind stress. Solar energy also provides the means by which precipitations is distributed and then tapped by hydroelectric energy projects as well as plant growth that then creates biofuels.
One basic benefit of renewable energy, and the reason environmentalists all over the globe are advocate its use, is that it does give off greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants as do the by-products of burning fossil fuel for energy. Renewable energy such as solar power, water power and wind power, while the widespread discussion of which is new, are anything but new.
In both newly developing and highly developed countries wind, sun and water have long been used as power sources, though not to the extent of providing the primary energy source for large metropolitan communities.
The mass production of such renewable energy is become commonplace in recent years as more and more people come to realize how climate is changing due to the pollution of fossil fuel gases, due to the exhaustion of the availability of these fossil fuels and the political and social concerns of energy sources such as nuclear power.
Many countries and non-profit environmentally-conscious organizations are encouraging the use of renewable energy sources by passing legislation on tax incentives for their use and subsidies to offset the added expense of converting from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
The flow of renewable energy involves phenomena that occur naturally in our world. Tides, sunlight, wind and heat derived by geothermal occurrences all provide renewable energy. Each of these energy sources is unique both in where we can use them and how.
Tampa Geothermal Energy
Most technology that converts renewable energy into power sources we can use are powered at least in part by the Sun if not directly at least indirectly. The earths atmospheric system stays in such equilibrium that the heat that it gives off radiates into space to an amount equal to the radiation that comes to earth from the sun.
The result of this energy level within the atmosphere is roughly translated to the climate of the earth. The water of the earth, also referred to its hydrosphere, absorbs a lot of the radiation that comes to us from the sun.
Most of the radiation gets absorbed at the lower latitudes of the earth that exist around the equator. This energy gets dissipated all around the globe, however, in the form of ocean and wind currents.
The motion of the ocean waves might have a role in transference of mechanical energy between the ocean and the earths atmosphere by way of wind stress. Solar energy also provides the means by which precipitations is distributed and then tapped by hydroelectric energy projects as well as plant growth that then creates biofuels.
Friday, October 2, 2009
An Overview Of Energy Efficiency
While we often think of energy efficiency as the way to save our environment, we also often consider it a costly endeavor. Did you realize, however, that your homes energy bill might be reduced by up to 30 percent through energy-efficiency that includes the purchase or energy efficient appliances and other products? In other words, you can save yourself money while you do your part to save the planet.
Every time you buy a new air conditioning unit, a new washer or dryer, a new refrigerator, microwave, or piece of office equipment, you are affecting the environment, either positively or negatively depending on your choices. Smart choices of products designed for energy efficiency help the air we all breathe and reduce your energy bill each month.
Here is some basic information about how energy efficiency works and why its helpful. A great deal of the energy you consume in your home is produced by local power plants that must burn fossil fuel to create the energy. These fossil fuels might be natural gas, coal or oil.
These fossil fuels also create pollution. This pollution harms not only the environment but ultimately the people, as it causes smog, acid rain and respiratory diseases. Fossil fuel pollution is also a strong factor in changing the climate of the globe.
While we hear a lot about the harmful gas emissions that emanate from vehicles, what we don't hear much about is the fact that your home probably produces twice as much of these emissions as the average automobile.
Geothermal Air Conditioning
Opting for energy efficiency through your choice of products that are energy efficient is one of the best ways you can reduce your consumption of energy and thus your distribution of harmful emissions of greenhouse gas. Any household that buys equipment designed for energy efficiency puts a big dent in harmful emissions of carbon dioxide.
In fact, over the lifetime of one of these energy efficient appliances or other products you will have reduced pollution the equivalent of what would be saved by one fewer vehicle for seven years. The use of energy efficient household products reduces nitrogen oxides too, which contribute extensively to acid rain and smog.
The average U.S. household spends about 1500 each year on energy. Energy-efficiency can reduce this bill by 400-450 annually. If you're concerned about energy efficiency and wish to not only save the environment but save yourself some money it will help to know which appliances account for what portion of your energy use and bill.
The biggest, which probably comes as no surprise, is your heat and air conditioning. This is a whopping 45 percent of your energy bill. Your water heater uses up 11 percent of your energy, and your washer and dryer 10 percent. The lighting for your home is seven percent of your energy costs, while your refrigerator is six percent of your bill.
Your dishwasher, computer, monitor, TV, VCR, DVD player and similar equipment each use up about two percent of your total energy consumption. Stoves, microwaves and other smaller appliances generally account for the rest, though at less than two percent of the total each.
Every time you buy a new air conditioning unit, a new washer or dryer, a new refrigerator, microwave, or piece of office equipment, you are affecting the environment, either positively or negatively depending on your choices. Smart choices of products designed for energy efficiency help the air we all breathe and reduce your energy bill each month.
Here is some basic information about how energy efficiency works and why its helpful. A great deal of the energy you consume in your home is produced by local power plants that must burn fossil fuel to create the energy. These fossil fuels might be natural gas, coal or oil.
These fossil fuels also create pollution. This pollution harms not only the environment but ultimately the people, as it causes smog, acid rain and respiratory diseases. Fossil fuel pollution is also a strong factor in changing the climate of the globe.
While we hear a lot about the harmful gas emissions that emanate from vehicles, what we don't hear much about is the fact that your home probably produces twice as much of these emissions as the average automobile.
Geothermal Air Conditioning
Opting for energy efficiency through your choice of products that are energy efficient is one of the best ways you can reduce your consumption of energy and thus your distribution of harmful emissions of greenhouse gas. Any household that buys equipment designed for energy efficiency puts a big dent in harmful emissions of carbon dioxide.
In fact, over the lifetime of one of these energy efficient appliances or other products you will have reduced pollution the equivalent of what would be saved by one fewer vehicle for seven years. The use of energy efficient household products reduces nitrogen oxides too, which contribute extensively to acid rain and smog.
The average U.S. household spends about 1500 each year on energy. Energy-efficiency can reduce this bill by 400-450 annually. If you're concerned about energy efficiency and wish to not only save the environment but save yourself some money it will help to know which appliances account for what portion of your energy use and bill.
The biggest, which probably comes as no surprise, is your heat and air conditioning. This is a whopping 45 percent of your energy bill. Your water heater uses up 11 percent of your energy, and your washer and dryer 10 percent. The lighting for your home is seven percent of your energy costs, while your refrigerator is six percent of your bill.
Your dishwasher, computer, monitor, TV, VCR, DVD player and similar equipment each use up about two percent of your total energy consumption. Stoves, microwaves and other smaller appliances generally account for the rest, though at less than two percent of the total each.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Air conditioning repair basics
Let’s start with the basics. You need to know about the important parts of an air conditioner so that you can effectively troubleshoot problems. The major parts of an air conditioner are:
Tampa Air Conditioning Maintenance
If you continue feeling uncomfortable even after turning on the air conditioner, it is probably because it’s not doing its job properly. Consider cleaning the machine before calling a technician. Sometimes, a simple round of cooling will solve your problem and will help the machine cool better and faster. The cooling power of an air conditioner may also be seriously affected if the drainage of condensation is not drained properly. Leakage in various forms remains a major problem with air conditioners. So, you should check for any possible leakage, too. Damage to the air ducts or to the refrigerant system can result in the loss of the coolant gas and cause the machine to work less efficiently. Regular cleaning of the front grill and the filter is necessary to keep your air conditioner working like new for years.
However, sometimes the problem could be a more serious one and would necessitate professional servicing by a qualified technician. A very old compressor may not be able to cool a room like a new one. You may have to consider replacing the compressor sometimes and that would call for the help of a trained professional. When you are carrying out an air conditioning repair by yourself, don’t forget to turn off the main before attempting any repair. Special care should be taken if the grill is attached to the fan so that no wires come loose at the time of removing the grill or disconnecting the fan.
Air conditioning repair is possible at home and with the help of the manual, you can troubleshoot many minor problems. However, you are well advised to leave major repairs to trained technicians only.
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Ready for a change? Geothermal Heat Pumps is one of the most energy efficient ways to cool and heat your house with little to no maintenance needed.
- Compressor-Condenser, which is basically an electrically operated, high-pressure pumping device. As the name itself suggests, it compresses low-pressure into high-pressure gas. It is usually located at the outer part of an air conditioning unit.
- Thermostat, which basically distributes the liquid refrigerant into the cooling coil.
- Duct System, which basically regulates the exchange of cool, conditioned air and the existing air in the occupied space
Tampa Air Conditioning Maintenance
If you continue feeling uncomfortable even after turning on the air conditioner, it is probably because it’s not doing its job properly. Consider cleaning the machine before calling a technician. Sometimes, a simple round of cooling will solve your problem and will help the machine cool better and faster. The cooling power of an air conditioner may also be seriously affected if the drainage of condensation is not drained properly. Leakage in various forms remains a major problem with air conditioners. So, you should check for any possible leakage, too. Damage to the air ducts or to the refrigerant system can result in the loss of the coolant gas and cause the machine to work less efficiently. Regular cleaning of the front grill and the filter is necessary to keep your air conditioner working like new for years.
However, sometimes the problem could be a more serious one and would necessitate professional servicing by a qualified technician. A very old compressor may not be able to cool a room like a new one. You may have to consider replacing the compressor sometimes and that would call for the help of a trained professional. When you are carrying out an air conditioning repair by yourself, don’t forget to turn off the main before attempting any repair. Special care should be taken if the grill is attached to the fan so that no wires come loose at the time of removing the grill or disconnecting the fan.
Air conditioning repair is possible at home and with the help of the manual, you can troubleshoot many minor problems. However, you are well advised to leave major repairs to trained technicians only.
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Ready for a change? Geothermal Heat Pumps is one of the most energy efficient ways to cool and heat your house with little to no maintenance needed.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Geothermal Resources YouBundle
Thought I would share a YouBundle I created with links to resources and information on geothermal heating and cooling!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
AC Doesn't Turn On
On a sunny hot day you are back from home and you switch ON your room air conditioner to get cooled and you find either the air conditioner doesn’t turn on or it doesn’t cool. I am not sure about you but I will certainly get mad in this situation.
Tampa Air Conditioning
Let us now discuss troubleshooting some of these most common room air conditioner problems and solution:
What to do when the Room Air Conditioner Doesn’t Turn On ?
Room air conditioners consume a lot of electrical power. This can lead to less than optimum performance or even complete failure of the system. If your room air conditioner doesn’t turn on:
Ready for a change? Geothermal Heat Pumps is one of the most energy efficient ways to cool and heat your house with little to no maintenance needed.
Tampa Air Conditioning
Let us now discuss troubleshooting some of these most common room air conditioner problems and solution:
What to do when the Room Air Conditioner Doesn’t Turn On ?
Room air conditioners consume a lot of electrical power. This can lead to less than optimum performance or even complete failure of the system. If your room air conditioner doesn’t turn on:
- 1) Be sure the unit is plugged in and turned on properly.
- 2) Check if the outlet of the AC is working by unplugging the air conditioner and plugging in a light that works (NOTE: do not plug a light into a 220/240-volt receptacle).
- 3) If the light doesn’t go on, the circuit has probably overloaded. You need to check the electric panel or fuse box and reset the breaker or replace the fuse if required.
- 4) If the light works, it’s likely that the air conditioner’s switch is faulty or the thermostat needs some adjustment or needs some repairing.
- 5) Be sure the thermostat is set to “cool” and is below room temperature.
- 6) Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions (repair and care manual) for thermostat repair. If adjusting or repairing the thermostat doesn’t solve the problem then unplug the unit and call an air conditioner technician. If your air conditioner is under warranty, call the customer care of the company.
Ready for a change? Geothermal Heat Pumps is one of the most energy efficient ways to cool and heat your house with little to no maintenance needed.
Monday, September 28, 2009
AC Doesn't Cool
What to do when Room Air Conditioner Doesn’t Cool
If your room air conditioner doesn’t cool then you may need to clean it or recharge it with refrigerant. You can clean an air conditioner yourself by disassembling the unit yourself or you can call a professional. But before doing the job yourself you need to read the system manual and make sure you have the right skills and tools to do the job. Here is what you may need to do:
If that does not do the work then clean the evaporator and condenser coils. If it still doesn’t works then you may have to call some professional or call the company’s customer care.
Florida Air Conditioning
If your room air conditioner doesn’t cool then you may need to clean it or recharge it with refrigerant. You can clean an air conditioner yourself by disassembling the unit yourself or you can call a professional. But before doing the job yourself you need to read the system manual and make sure you have the right skills and tools to do the job. Here is what you may need to do:
- 1) Unplug the unit and remove it very carefully from the window or the wall and place it somewhere outdoors where you can work on it.
- 2) Remove the grille and filter and unscrew the metal case while making sure that you do not damage the coil’s fins.
- 3) Wash out the filter or replace it with a new filter.
- 4) Clean the inside coil’s fins by using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment
- 5) From the fan side, spray water back through the fins. You will have to protect the wiring and motor with plastic.
- 6) Clean the unit up with a rag and allow the system to dry completely.
- 7) You can also lubricate the motor as per the “Repair and Care” manual’s instructions.
- 8) Then reassemble and reinstall the unit.
If that does not do the work then clean the evaporator and condenser coils. If it still doesn’t works then you may have to call some professional or call the company’s customer care.
Florida Air Conditioning
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Crash Course in geothermal heat pumps!
Found a website with some great information on geothermal energy! A lot of helpful graphs and visual aids. Just a snippet below, but you can view the full website at http://www.fossilfreedom.com/geothermal.html
Crash Course in geothermal heat pumps...
"Studies show that approximately 70 percent of the energy used in a geothermal ground contact heat exchange heating and cooling system is renewable energy from the ground. The remainder is clean, electrical energy which is employed to concentrate heat and transport it from one location to another. In winter, the ground soaks up solar energy and provides a barrier to cold air. In summer, the ground heats up more slowly than the outside air.
Ground contact geothermal systems do the work that ordinarily requires two appliances, a furnace and an air conditioner. They can be located indoors because there's no need to exchange heat with the outdoor air. They're so quiet homeowners don't even realize they're on. They are also compact. Typically, they are up to six times less expensive to operate since they are far more efficient then any fossil fuel based system."
Tampa Geothermal Air Conditioning
Crash Course in geothermal heat pumps...
"Studies show that approximately 70 percent of the energy used in a geothermal ground contact heat exchange heating and cooling system is renewable energy from the ground. The remainder is clean, electrical energy which is employed to concentrate heat and transport it from one location to another. In winter, the ground soaks up solar energy and provides a barrier to cold air. In summer, the ground heats up more slowly than the outside air.
Ground contact geothermal systems do the work that ordinarily requires two appliances, a furnace and an air conditioner. They can be located indoors because there's no need to exchange heat with the outdoor air. They're so quiet homeowners don't even realize they're on. They are also compact. Typically, they are up to six times less expensive to operate since they are far more efficient then any fossil fuel based system."
Tampa Geothermal Air Conditioning
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Geothermal AC on Fox News
Watch above or check out this at Foxnews!
TAMPA - As those high summer temps continue, so do the high electric bills. So how would you like to cut your air conditioning bills in half? One Bay Area company says it can help you do it by tapping into the earth. It's called a geo-thermal AC system, and it could bring savings of thousands of dollars a year.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A Window of Opportunity
Renewable Energy Source [link]"There can be no doubt that a society rooted in the soil is more stable than one rooted in pavements." - Aldo Leopold
Monday, August 17, 2009
Plug into the Earth!
A lot of people don't realize there's a renewable energy source right beneath their feet!
Though heat pumps are gaining in popularity they are still relatively unknown despite their high efficiency. Aside from helping the environment, after an initial investment they can also drastically reduce your monthly energy bill. For more information about geothermal energy, you can check out http://EggComfort.com
Though heat pumps are gaining in popularity they are still relatively unknown despite their high efficiency. Aside from helping the environment, after an initial investment they can also drastically reduce your monthly energy bill. For more information about geothermal energy, you can check out http://EggComfort.com
Also check out my deviantart account!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hello Kitty Goes Green!
Make hello kitty happy and check out geothermal energy at http://EggComfort.com !
A fun artwork for Hello Kitty. If you like it, please follow me on my DeviantArt Gallery
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Geothermal Put Simply
While temperatures above ground change a lot from day to day and season to season, temperatures in the upper 10 feet of the Earth's surface hold nearly constant between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For most areas, this means that soil temperatures are usually warmer than the air in winter and cooler than the air in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for temperature control. Although, most homes still use traditional furnaces and air conditioners, geothermal heat pumps are becoming more popular. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Energy along with the EPA have partnered with industry to promote the use of geothermal heat pumps.
Cost of Geothermal Heat Pump
Utilizing free energy from the earth beneath your feet, it is undeniable that geothermal is environmentally friendly and responsible. Geothermal heating and cooling uses the relatively constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool homes and businesses with 40% to 70% less energy than conventional systems. It also has the added benefit of providing free domestic hot water during the summer season and reduced cost for domestic hot water during the winter. All of these benefits sound good on top of "going green" but it all comes down to one final question. How much will this cost? Is geothermal "green" in both an investment perspective as well as an environment perspective?
Installation for geothermal heat pumps does have a high upfront cost. There are a lot of variables--where you live, the ground to be drilled, the square foot of the house--and though everyone agrees about its high initial expense, exactly “how much” remains vague at best. A good general idea for cost would be twice the price of a regular heat pump system with air conditioning. A geothermal heat pump costs about $2,500 per ton of capacity, with the typically sized house needing a three-ton unit and putting the cost at roughly $7,500. Installation can bump the costs up to $10,000 or more depending on depth of pipes, type of equipment, and soil conditions.
On the flip side, the geothermal heat pumps offer high efficiency and low operating cost. Savings on the electric bill are immediate and considerable. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. Average consensus is that it will take about 5-10 years to see a return in the investment but that utilizing geothermal energy could prove a good financial decision for the long-term homeowner. To encourage the switch to a renewable energy source, some utility companies and agencies may pay a rebate and energy Star-rated ground-source heat pumps may qualify for federal tax credit.
In the end, geothermal heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. They have fewer mechanical problems and the underground piping used is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years. Quiet to operate and pollution free, geothermal heat pumps are an underused technology with a huge potential in the long run. Despite the debate on costs and the tough initial decision, figures indicate that 95% of heat pump owners would recommend a similar system to their friends or family.
Installation for geothermal heat pumps does have a high upfront cost. There are a lot of variables--where you live, the ground to be drilled, the square foot of the house--and though everyone agrees about its high initial expense, exactly “how much” remains vague at best. A good general idea for cost would be twice the price of a regular heat pump system with air conditioning. A geothermal heat pump costs about $2,500 per ton of capacity, with the typically sized house needing a three-ton unit and putting the cost at roughly $7,500. Installation can bump the costs up to $10,000 or more depending on depth of pipes, type of equipment, and soil conditions.
On the flip side, the geothermal heat pumps offer high efficiency and low operating cost. Savings on the electric bill are immediate and considerable. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. Average consensus is that it will take about 5-10 years to see a return in the investment but that utilizing geothermal energy could prove a good financial decision for the long-term homeowner. To encourage the switch to a renewable energy source, some utility companies and agencies may pay a rebate and energy Star-rated ground-source heat pumps may qualify for federal tax credit.
In the end, geothermal heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. They have fewer mechanical problems and the underground piping used is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years. Quiet to operate and pollution free, geothermal heat pumps are an underused technology with a huge potential in the long run. Despite the debate on costs and the tough initial decision, figures indicate that 95% of heat pump owners would recommend a similar system to their friends or family.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Cost of Geothermal Heat Pumps
Utilizing free energy from the earth beneath your feet, it is undeniable that geothermal is environmentally friendly and responsible. Geothermal heating and cooling uses the relatively constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool homes and businesses with 40% to 70% less energy than conventional systems. It also has the added benefit of providing free domestic hot water during the summer season and reduced cost for domestic hot water during the winter. All of these benefits sound good on top of "going green" but it all comes down to one final question. How much will this cost? Is geothermal "green" in both an investment perspective as well as an environment perspective?
Installation for geothermal heat pumps does have a high upfront cost. There are a lot of variables--where you live, the ground to be drilled, the square foot of the house--and though everyone agrees about its high initial expense, exactly “how much” remains vague at best. A good general idea for cost would be twice the price of a regular heat pump system with air conditioning. A geothermal heat pump costs about $2,500 per ton of capacity, with the typically sized house needing a three-ton unit and putting the cost at roughly $7,500. Installation can bump the costs up to $10,000 or more depending on depth of pipes, type of equipment, and soil conditions.
On the flip side, the geothermal heat pumps offer high efficiency and low operating cost. Savings on the electric bill are immediate and considerable. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. Average consensus is that it will take about 5-10 years to see a return in the investment but that utilizing geothermal energy could prove a good financial decision for the long-term homeowner. To encourage the switch to a renewable energy source, some utility companies and agencies may pay a rebate and energy Star-rated ground-source heat pumps may qualify for federal tax credit.
In the end, geothermal heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. They have fewer mechanical problems and the underground piping used is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years. Quiet to operate and pollution free, geothermal heat pumps are an underused technology with a huge potential in the long run. Despite the debate on costs and the tough initial decision, figures indicate that 95% of heat pump owners would recommend a similar system to their friends or family.
Installation for geothermal heat pumps does have a high upfront cost. There are a lot of variables--where you live, the ground to be drilled, the square foot of the house--and though everyone agrees about its high initial expense, exactly “how much” remains vague at best. A good general idea for cost would be twice the price of a regular heat pump system with air conditioning. A geothermal heat pump costs about $2,500 per ton of capacity, with the typically sized house needing a three-ton unit and putting the cost at roughly $7,500. Installation can bump the costs up to $10,000 or more depending on depth of pipes, type of equipment, and soil conditions.
On the flip side, the geothermal heat pumps offer high efficiency and low operating cost. Savings on the electric bill are immediate and considerable. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. Average consensus is that it will take about 5-10 years to see a return in the investment but that utilizing geothermal energy could prove a good financial decision for the long-term homeowner. To encourage the switch to a renewable energy source, some utility companies and agencies may pay a rebate and energy Star-rated ground-source heat pumps may qualify for federal tax credit.
In the end, geothermal heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. They have fewer mechanical problems and the underground piping used is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years. Quiet to operate and pollution free, geothermal heat pumps are an underused technology with a huge potential in the long run. Despite the debate on costs and the tough initial decision, figures indicate that 95% of heat pump owners would recommend a similar system to their friends or family.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Geothermal Air-Conditioning in Classrooms
GEO Power System Inc. (headquartered in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan), a company specializing in developing houses that can use geothermal energy, is now engaged in the introduction of a geothermal ventilation system it calls the "GEO Power System" into public elementary and junior high schools in Fukuoka Prefecture. These schools are certified as "eco schools" (environmentally-oriented schools that demonstrate ecological techniques such as solar power generation, solar energy utilization, tree planting, energy conservation and resource saving) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
The patented construction method is a highly efficient and high-performance ventilation system to harness geothermal energy, a clean natural energy which is stable throughout the year. Unlike other conventional geothermal ventilation methods, in this method an aluminum pipe is buried at a depth of up to five meters underground. The method is characterized by a double-pipe structure in which a thin pipe is fitted inside an outer pipe. In summer, cool air (14 to 16 degrees Celsius) is taken in while in winter, warm air (16 to 18 degrees) is taken into the pipe. The air in the pipe is then circulated inside the building, making it possible to substantially reduce the cost of air-conditioning. According to GEO Power System Inc., the system also has health benefits, as the health of occupants will not be injured by excessive air-conditioning, and the innate human body functions that regulate temperature will be improved.
The first stage of installation work is expected to be completed in March 2003. The geothermal ventilation system has already been introduced to a private university, a large kindergarten and a community center in Fukuoka Prefecture, but this is the first time that the system is introduced in public schools.
In summer of the year 2002 the Japanese government came up with a new policy to install air-conditioners in 300,000 classrooms at public schools, out of fear that higher urban temperatures due to the heat island effect (abnormal warming of the urban atmosphere due to the high concentration of heat-absorbing buildings and roads, and lack of greenery) would lower children's academic achievements. The Energy Conservation Center of Japan estimates that the air-conditioning of 300,000 classrooms, would result in over 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, the utilization of geothermal energy is seen as a promising means to promote the use of renewable energy that will not cause global warming.
The patented construction method is a highly efficient and high-performance ventilation system to harness geothermal energy, a clean natural energy which is stable throughout the year. Unlike other conventional geothermal ventilation methods, in this method an aluminum pipe is buried at a depth of up to five meters underground. The method is characterized by a double-pipe structure in which a thin pipe is fitted inside an outer pipe. In summer, cool air (14 to 16 degrees Celsius) is taken in while in winter, warm air (16 to 18 degrees) is taken into the pipe. The air in the pipe is then circulated inside the building, making it possible to substantially reduce the cost of air-conditioning. According to GEO Power System Inc., the system also has health benefits, as the health of occupants will not be injured by excessive air-conditioning, and the innate human body functions that regulate temperature will be improved.
The first stage of installation work is expected to be completed in March 2003. The geothermal ventilation system has already been introduced to a private university, a large kindergarten and a community center in Fukuoka Prefecture, but this is the first time that the system is introduced in public schools.
In summer of the year 2002 the Japanese government came up with a new policy to install air-conditioners in 300,000 classrooms at public schools, out of fear that higher urban temperatures due to the heat island effect (abnormal warming of the urban atmosphere due to the high concentration of heat-absorbing buildings and roads, and lack of greenery) would lower children's academic achievements. The Energy Conservation Center of Japan estimates that the air-conditioning of 300,000 classrooms, would result in over 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, the utilization of geothermal energy is seen as a promising means to promote the use of renewable energy that will not cause global warming.
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