Geothermal HVAC Systems, A Homeowner's Guide...

Geothermal HVAC systems are among the most energy efficient systems available. Depending on the situation, typical energy savings are from 25% to 70%. These units have two efficiency ratings. The unit's cooling efficiency is given as an EER (energy efficiency rating). This is the cooling effect of the unit divided by the electrical input required to the unit. The heating efficiency is given as COP (coefficient of performance). This is the heating effect of the system divided by the electrical input required by the unit. In both cases, a higher number with the rating means the unit is more efficient.

Are they worth the cost?

According to the U.S. EPA, these systems have the lowest life cycle cost of any hvac system. Although they usually cost more to install, they generally require less maintenance and repairs. Depending on the local conditions, the time required to recover the installation expense can be pretty short. There are now do it yourself kits available. This can lower the installation costs considerably and make the systems more affordable.

Types of systems...

These units can be central heating only, hot water only, or heating and cooling systems. Heating only systems are common in Europe, especially in colder climates. Some of them have the ability to provide free passive air conditioning. In that case the water is pumped through the loop system and into a cooling coil. The unit's compressor does not operate. In the U.S.A., combined heating and cooling units are the most common.

Direct Expansion Geothermal Systems...

The most advanced geothermal systems are called direct expansion (DX)units. They eliminate the water/antifreeze mixture and the associated pumps. Instead, the compressor pumps the refrigerant through copper lines that are buried instead of the traditional water filled plastic lines. This results in better heat transfer and more efficient operation. You do not need purging/charging carts for startup of the system and they are easier to maintain and repair. They also are a lot easier to install and usually require less ground area for the loops (captors). The refrigerant lines are buried like the traditional polyethylene pipe loops. One of the main concerns with this type of system is corrosion of the buried copper refrigerant lines. This is usually only a concern in areas where the soil is acidic. In some cases, a cathodic protection system is installed to minimize the possibility of corrosion.

Radiant in-Floor Heating Systems

Radiant in-floor heating delivers heat directly from your floors. This is achieved through a series of hoses installed directly within the concrete. A boiler is hooked up to these hoses to supply warm liquid throughout the grid. This offers an inexpensive and luxurious heating source to your home. Radiant heating is especially popular in areas such as a basement. They are generally installed during a major renovation or new home construction. Radiant systems create heat and deliver it via components such as radiators that radiate the heat into the home. Boilers are a traditional radiant heat source. Gas and oil-fired boilers deliver efficient, consistent warmth without the noise and draft of forced air systems. Keep in mind, the higher the AFUE percentage, the more you'll save on energy costs.

Electric in-Floor Heating Systems

Electric in-floor heating systems generate an even heat throughout your home and will not disturb dust, reducing the chance of possible allergic reactions. What's more, radiant heated floors reduce noise levels and the amount of dry air in your home. There are other benefits to floor heating as well, including financial perks, as they are inexpensive to install and typically don't add more than a quarter to electric bills. Our electric floor-heating systems are available for a variety of floor surfaces, including tile, stone, and hardwood. Any room in the home can utilize our heating systems, providing comfort wherever you are. In order to give customers full control over their WarmlyYours in-floor heating systems, we offer a variety of controls, underlayment sheets and accessories. Thermostats will allow you to control the temperature and schedule turn-on times, while many different accessories can further optimize our heating systems to meet specific project needs. WarmlyYours also provides design services to make sure that customers purchase the heating system that best meets their project requirements. Depending on the floor type and the shape and size of a room's layout, the size and placement of heating mats will differ. With the installation of heated flooring, your home's floors will remain consistently comfortable day after day.

Overview

Consumers all across the globe are paying an extremely high price for electricity. And in some cases, due to pervasive blackouts and rolling brownouts, the supply of continuous grid-based electricity is never assured. But now, thanks to rapid strides in Photovoltaic (PV) technologies of late, there has been a significant fall in the prices of solar panels. This is now fueling talk that Solar air conditioner users will soon have solar grid parity. This means that, in the near future, they will have the ability to produce solar electricity at the same price as conventional power.

Advantages of solar air conditioners

Solar Air Conditioners System is an innovation made to reduce the application of electricity for peopleor companies who installs such a system inside their offices or homes. Instead of using ordinary electricity to power up those conventional air conditioners which can be very expensive, this innovation allows you to save up on costs because it is powered largely by solar technology. It is always best to use in places where theres an abundance of sunlight. This system will certainlybecome the most cost-effective solution in reducing the temperature in one place.There are 2 types of solar air-con systems. These are be solar absorption air conditioning unitand solar desiccant units. This technique works once the solar technology that is gathered in tothe solar collector or tube solar thermal panels. The solar collector basically works much likesolar hot water heaters. The force collected from your suns heat would be collected and storedfrom it. After which the thermal energy can be utilized in the solar powered chillers using CornGlycol that was designed to power up the performance and life of a solar thermal system.The tube collectors are recognized to be the most beneficial producer of solar domestic hotwater which causes the absorption chillers to operate effectively and efficiently. The absorptionchillers are powered by heat and make use of no harmful CFCs for example Freon and the like.It is used by cooling and heating water through the process of evaporation and condensation.The chillers releases cold air by blowing it over a water-saturated material as well as the solartechnology is used to increase the machines motors and fan. Also, solar absorption chillers arelow maintenance and consumes if none only minimal levels of electricity which results in asubstantial lowering of operating costs. In countries experiencing cold temperatures like snow,these solar air conditioners would likewise be able to give out heat which allows you not touse your heating system.Air con system provides many benefits such as being cost effective. Normally, it will take lots ofmoney so that you can run an air conditioning system by having a cell. However with this newinnovation, people can help to save up to 80% of costs in installation, electricity andmaintenance. Another significant advantage is it doesnt require solar power panels to run thetube solar thermal collectors are the ones collecting the thermal the suns energy and uses it toperform the environment conditioning system. Lets also take into account the main benefit ofbeing beneficial to our environment because there are no chemicals employed in operatingthese solar air conditioning units.As compared to conventional air conditioning operating throughout the hottest time during theday which results to high power grid demands, solar air con offers if not none, minimal powerdemand even during its peak usage. It will ll then cause a significant drop in electricity costs,maintenance costs, fewer power outages and blackouts and reduced CFC or greenhouse gasemissions.