What are ground source heat pumps? Many people have heard of heat pumps but not many realize that air conditioners and refrigerators are considered a form of heat pump as well.
Ground source heat pumps actually transfer heat from the ground directly into a house or building to provide space heating. These machines will also pre-heat hot water as well.
How do ground source heat pumps actually work? Buried under the ground are lengths of pipe. The pipe is buried in a trench or borehole. The pipe is filled with a mixture of antifreeze and water. This mixture is pumped around the pipe and absorbs heat from the ground. The heat pump itself consists of three main components.
The actual heat pump portion of ground source heat pumps features the same three main components of a standard heat pump. The evaporator takes heat from the water that is in the ground loop. The compressor component then compresses the gaseous refrigerant to the specific temperature that is needed for the actual heat distribution circuit.
The final component is the condenser. This part gives heat to the hot water tank, which then feeds the distribution system. If you look at the back of your refrigerator, the condenser is the hot part.
The final step of ground source heat pumps is the heat distribution system. This involves under floor heating or space heating. It could also involve storage for a hot water supply.
If you are considering the installation of a ground source heat pump there are several things you should consider before this major home improvement job. For one thing, do you have the room outdoors for the underground piping?
Is your ground area actually suitable for digging a trench? Can you afford the installation costs, which can run into the thousands of dollars?
Ground source heat pumps are used quite extensively in the rural United States. If operating effectively, they will produce up to three or four units of heat for every unit of electricity that they use. In addition, they can be reversed during the summer to provide cooling for a home. It is a very effective way to heat or cool a home. They use up to seventy-five percent less energy than traditional gas or oil heat.
We provide information for the consumer on heat pump prices along with information on ground source heat pumps as well as many other types of heat pumps.
By D. Karlson
Article Source : David Karlson
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Why Use Energy Efficient Lighting In Your Home ?
If you think that energy efficient lighting seems a lot more confusing than lighting used to be, you are not alone. But in truth modern lighting has a lot more to commend it than the old style light bulbs we all used to have.
More and more homes are using energy efficient lighting now, but since it is still early days it isn't yet easy to see how much more beneficial they are. But as you will see they are much better than having traditional lighting - and it doesn't take long to really see the benefits.
Sometimes it can seem as if you are spending more on energy efficient lighting than you used to on old style light bulbs. But when you bear everything in mind this isn't the case. For starters the prices of new style light bulbs have reduced significantly over recent years, so the difference is not as pronounced as it used to be.
In addition to this the length of time that energy efficient lighting lasts compared to traditional bulbs is where the difference really lies. They can last far longer than normal lighting, so even though you are probably going to spend a bit more on them initially, the money will soon be recouped over a period of time. It's not impossible to have a normal light bulb last a year and an energy efficient modern one last as long as fifteen years. As you can see, this means you won't have to go out and buy fresh bulbs as often as you did in the past.
As technology has developed in this arena you will find there is now a wider choice of energy efficient lighting available as well. For example you weren't able to get bulbs to use with dimmer switches initially, but nowadays you can. This means the original excuse of not using them because they weren't versatile enough has disappeared.
And of course since they are efficient with energy they are also less expensive to use. This may not be a difference you will notice on a day to day basis, but over time you will certainly notice the difference reflected in your bills. So the small additional cost of buying these kinds of bulbs in the first place can soon be recouped in more ways than one.
If you don't yet have energy efficient lighting in your home there has never been a better time to get started. The best route is to take one room at a time and figure out how many lights you have and which energy efficient bulbs you need to buy. Write down which bulbs you currently use and their wattage. This way, you can always ask for assistance in buying the right replacement bulbs for your needs.
Energy efficient lighting is one of the best money and energy saving developments of recent years. So make the most of it and ensure your home is as efficient as possible.
Gladiator Lighting offers low prices on all types of light bulbs and lighting accessories including energy efficient HID Light Bulbs, HID Bulds, HID Bulb. CFL light bulbs, halogens, linear fluorescents, HID metal halide, HID high pressure sodium, HID and fluorescent ballast kits, induction lighting, low voltage transformers, LED and much more...
Article Source: Chris Ch Henry
If you think that energy efficient lighting seems a lot more confusing than lighting used to be, you are not alone. But in truth modern lighting has a lot more to commend it than the old style light bulbs we all used to have.
More and more homes are using energy efficient lighting now, but since it is still early days it isn't yet easy to see how much more beneficial they are. But as you will see they are much better than having traditional lighting - and it doesn't take long to really see the benefits.
Sometimes it can seem as if you are spending more on energy efficient lighting than you used to on old style light bulbs. But when you bear everything in mind this isn't the case. For starters the prices of new style light bulbs have reduced significantly over recent years, so the difference is not as pronounced as it used to be.
In addition to this the length of time that energy efficient lighting lasts compared to traditional bulbs is where the difference really lies. They can last far longer than normal lighting, so even though you are probably going to spend a bit more on them initially, the money will soon be recouped over a period of time. It's not impossible to have a normal light bulb last a year and an energy efficient modern one last as long as fifteen years. As you can see, this means you won't have to go out and buy fresh bulbs as often as you did in the past.
As technology has developed in this arena you will find there is now a wider choice of energy efficient lighting available as well. For example you weren't able to get bulbs to use with dimmer switches initially, but nowadays you can. This means the original excuse of not using them because they weren't versatile enough has disappeared.
And of course since they are efficient with energy they are also less expensive to use. This may not be a difference you will notice on a day to day basis, but over time you will certainly notice the difference reflected in your bills. So the small additional cost of buying these kinds of bulbs in the first place can soon be recouped in more ways than one.
If you don't yet have energy efficient lighting in your home there has never been a better time to get started. The best route is to take one room at a time and figure out how many lights you have and which energy efficient bulbs you need to buy. Write down which bulbs you currently use and their wattage. This way, you can always ask for assistance in buying the right replacement bulbs for your needs.
Energy efficient lighting is one of the best money and energy saving developments of recent years. So make the most of it and ensure your home is as efficient as possible.
Gladiator Lighting offers low prices on all types of light bulbs and lighting accessories including energy efficient HID Light Bulbs, HID Bulds, HID Bulb. CFL light bulbs, halogens, linear fluorescents, HID metal halide, HID high pressure sodium, HID and fluorescent ballast kits, induction lighting, low voltage transformers, LED and much more...
Article Source: Chris Ch Henry
Friday, 29 January 2010
Batteries
The UK used 214 million batteries over Christmas, around 95% of those batteries are likely to be thrown out with other household waste and end up in landfill sites where they could leak harmful chemicals such as cadmium, mercury and lead into the soil.
Laws are to be introduced forcing shops to provide recycling facilities in the hope it will reduce the number ending up in landfill sites, however although this is a welcome step the fear is that the manufacturers who will fund the cost of recycling will increase prices to cover the cost.
One way around this may be to recondition used batteries so that they can be reused and save the cost of continually having to buy new batteries, it will also reduce the number of batteries needing to be disposed of. If the reconditioning was done on a small scale individuals would save money, done on a larger scale it would perhaps offer the budding entrepreneur a business opportunity.
If you want to find out more about reconditioning used batteries please click on the link below.
Recondition Battery
The UK used 214 million batteries over Christmas, around 95% of those batteries are likely to be thrown out with other household waste and end up in landfill sites where they could leak harmful chemicals such as cadmium, mercury and lead into the soil.
Laws are to be introduced forcing shops to provide recycling facilities in the hope it will reduce the number ending up in landfill sites, however although this is a welcome step the fear is that the manufacturers who will fund the cost of recycling will increase prices to cover the cost.
One way around this may be to recondition used batteries so that they can be reused and save the cost of continually having to buy new batteries, it will also reduce the number of batteries needing to be disposed of. If the reconditioning was done on a small scale individuals would save money, done on a larger scale it would perhaps offer the budding entrepreneur a business opportunity.
If you want to find out more about reconditioning used batteries please click on the link below.
Recondition Battery
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Change Your Habits and Reduce Your Bills
There are many new products coming onto the market which are aimed at reducing energy consumption within the home, in this blog we will look at two products which do just that but also require people to change bad habits.
The first product is the Television Standby Saver which stops electricity being wasted when a tv, dvd or stereo is left on in standby mode. Many people choose to leave tv's permanently in stand by mode when not in use, normally when left in standby mode the equipment will still use around 60% of electricity as it remains ready to be switched on, however with the Standby Saver the current is reduced almost to zero in standby mode and only enough remains to pick up the infra-red signal from the remote when the tv needs to be switched on.
The second product is the Eco Kettle, which only boils the quantity of water you need. On average a person will waste 90 seconds boiling a kettle by over filling it, if you add together all that time over a year that is quite a large amount of electricty wasted. When you fill the Eco Kettle water is stored in a reservoir and only a set amount is released into the boiling chamber, when the kettle is boiled the water remaining in the reservoir is not boiled. The amount of water which is released into the boiling chamber can be adjusted should you require to boil more water.
There are many new products coming onto the market which are aimed at reducing energy consumption within the home, in this blog we will look at two products which do just that but also require people to change bad habits.
The first product is the Television Standby Saver which stops electricity being wasted when a tv, dvd or stereo is left on in standby mode. Many people choose to leave tv's permanently in stand by mode when not in use, normally when left in standby mode the equipment will still use around 60% of electricity as it remains ready to be switched on, however with the Standby Saver the current is reduced almost to zero in standby mode and only enough remains to pick up the infra-red signal from the remote when the tv needs to be switched on.
The second product is the Eco Kettle, which only boils the quantity of water you need. On average a person will waste 90 seconds boiling a kettle by over filling it, if you add together all that time over a year that is quite a large amount of electricty wasted. When you fill the Eco Kettle water is stored in a reservoir and only a set amount is released into the boiling chamber, when the kettle is boiled the water remaining in the reservoir is not boiled. The amount of water which is released into the boiling chamber can be adjusted should you require to boil more water.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Boiler Scrappage Scheme
The Government is to begin giving out 125,000 vouchers worth £400 each to homeowners and landlords as an incentive to scrap old G-rated inefficient boilers and replace them with new eco friendly boilers.
There are over 3 million G-rated boilers in England, if your boiler is over 15 years old and gas fired then you may be eligible for the scheme, if you are unsure you can get advice by calling the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512012. However even if you are eligible you must adhere to the guidelines which state that you must get a quote for the new boiler (plus installation)then apply for the voucher,DO NOT have the work done before applying as you will be refused.
You will need to pay for the boiler in full and then send your voucher and the invoice to the EST to get your money. It may pay to shop around as several energy companies are offering deals which could be beneficial.
The benefits of renewing the boilers are two fold, first is the environmental benefit and secondly it could reduce the household energy cost by around £290 per year. To find out more about the scheme go to www.est.org.uk
The Government is to begin giving out 125,000 vouchers worth £400 each to homeowners and landlords as an incentive to scrap old G-rated inefficient boilers and replace them with new eco friendly boilers.
There are over 3 million G-rated boilers in England, if your boiler is over 15 years old and gas fired then you may be eligible for the scheme, if you are unsure you can get advice by calling the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512012. However even if you are eligible you must adhere to the guidelines which state that you must get a quote for the new boiler (plus installation)then apply for the voucher,DO NOT have the work done before applying as you will be refused.
You will need to pay for the boiler in full and then send your voucher and the invoice to the EST to get your money. It may pay to shop around as several energy companies are offering deals which could be beneficial.
The benefits of renewing the boilers are two fold, first is the environmental benefit and secondly it could reduce the household energy cost by around £290 per year. To find out more about the scheme go to www.est.org.uk
Monday, 21 December 2009
Energy Smart Light Bulbs
There has been a very slow uptake of the new energy saving bulbs known as compact fluorescent lamps (cfl's), people see them as ugly and they take longer to warm up than the previous incandescent bulbs. The 100 watt bulbs have already been phased out and over the next two years the 75 watt and 60 watt will also go, leading to a total ban on incandescent bulbs from September 2012.
However there is a new bulb out called Energy Smart from a company called GE Lighting which uses 80% less energy, now the price is a bit steep at £10 but each bulb carries a ten year guarentee. Experts have stated that each bulb could save around £9 per year in electricity charges which would mean a saving of around £100 during the life of the bulb. It may be worth checking this bulb out because it could make a nice annual saving on the electricity bill.
There has been a very slow uptake of the new energy saving bulbs known as compact fluorescent lamps (cfl's), people see them as ugly and they take longer to warm up than the previous incandescent bulbs. The 100 watt bulbs have already been phased out and over the next two years the 75 watt and 60 watt will also go, leading to a total ban on incandescent bulbs from September 2012.
However there is a new bulb out called Energy Smart from a company called GE Lighting which uses 80% less energy, now the price is a bit steep at £10 but each bulb carries a ten year guarentee. Experts have stated that each bulb could save around £9 per year in electricity charges which would mean a saving of around £100 during the life of the bulb. It may be worth checking this bulb out because it could make a nice annual saving on the electricity bill.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
SOLAR HOT WATER PANELS
These types of solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as they not only save money on energy costs but are much kinder to the environment as they reduce CO2 emissions. The use of solar hot water panels could supply the average family with one third of it's annual hot water requirements. An immersion heater is still required for periods when the solar power is not available and also during the winter months when it is needed to "top up" the heating of the water. This type of technology works well alongside other types providing renewable energy such as wind turbines and solar energy panels which generate electricity.
If you are thinking of installing this technology then you need to consider the following :-
- you need a sunny place to site the solar panels, ideally a south facing roof space which gets a large amount of direct sunlight.
- within the property you will need extra space for either a larger or extra hot water cylinder which is fitted with a solar heating coil.
- a typical solar water heating system would cost between £2.5k to £5k, the maintenance costs are quite low.
- the savings from using solar hot water panels vary depending on the type of energy the system is replacing but would be somewhere in the region of £50 to £100 each year. The other consideration is the beneficial effect this would have on the environment with reduced CO2 and other pollutants released.
- whilst planning permission is not required it is always advisable to consult your local planning office prior to installing the equipment.
These types of solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as they not only save money on energy costs but are much kinder to the environment as they reduce CO2 emissions. The use of solar hot water panels could supply the average family with one third of it's annual hot water requirements. An immersion heater is still required for periods when the solar power is not available and also during the winter months when it is needed to "top up" the heating of the water. This type of technology works well alongside other types providing renewable energy such as wind turbines and solar energy panels which generate electricity.
If you are thinking of installing this technology then you need to consider the following :-
- you need a sunny place to site the solar panels, ideally a south facing roof space which gets a large amount of direct sunlight.
- within the property you will need extra space for either a larger or extra hot water cylinder which is fitted with a solar heating coil.
- a typical solar water heating system would cost between £2.5k to £5k, the maintenance costs are quite low.
- the savings from using solar hot water panels vary depending on the type of energy the system is replacing but would be somewhere in the region of £50 to £100 each year. The other consideration is the beneficial effect this would have on the environment with reduced CO2 and other pollutants released.
- whilst planning permission is not required it is always advisable to consult your local planning office prior to installing the equipment.
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