Home Decoration & Real Estate

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Geothermal heat pumps harness the heating and cooling powers of the earth in an energy efficient system that is friendly to the environment. The geothermal heat pumps are considered environmentally friendly since the technology uses the earth as a heating and cooling source of energy. Geothermal heat pumps save consumers money because one geothermal heat pump can be used to heat and cool a building.

The geothermal heat pump does not need to burn fuel for heating or cooling. A geothermal heat pump transfers the earth heat into the home for heating purposes and absorbs heat from the home to cool it off. This system works ground pumps that collect the heat in underground pipes. The heat is concentrated and stored in these pipes until it is needed. These same pipes will send the heat into the building upon command.

When the home is hot, the same heating pipes are used to draw the heat from the home. The heat air is cooled underground and sent back to the home. The geothermal heat pumps can be modified for use in radiant floor heating, water heaters and to melt snow along walkways in the winter.

The system provides a steady stream of heat or cooled air into the home. Unlike other heating systems, the geothermal heat pump does not send particles into the air when it is working. Geothermal heat pumps also provide silent service which is a welcome change from noisy air conditioners or heating systems. The system is activated by a wall mounted thermostat which can be used to heat or cool the home.

A geothermal heat pump may be either a closed loop or open loop system. Households generally use a closed loop system. A closed loop system uses an underground pipe filled with a liquid solution to conduct heat or cool air. The open loop system uses ground water or the earth to transfer the heat or cool air.

The geothermal heat pumps require an annual cleaning. Cleaning means that an acid based wash will be used on the pipes. With regular maintenance, the system will work well with infrequent need to replace parts. The air filter should be checked and cleaned as often as once a month. A technician can provide any further details about the operation and care of the geothermal heat pump.

Owners of geothermal heat pumps can save money on their heating and cooling bills. Despite the cost of buying and installing the system, owners report significant savings from using the geothermal heat pumps in comparison to heating or cooling the home with more traditional systems. Since the temperature of the ground and ground water remains between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, it allows the geothermal heat pump a continual source of warm or cool air. Fans of the geothermal heat pumps claim that they save almost half the money that they would have otherwise spent on their heating bills and up to 30% on their costs to cool their home.

Geothermal heat pumps are used in homes, commercial and industrial buildings. Their ability to save on heating and cooling costs is a tremendous attraction for many consumers. As an alternative heat source, the geothermal heat pump has a great future.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal systems are the most energy efficient, cost-effective and environmentally clean heating/cooling systems available. A 1,500 square foot home in Colorado that uses a geothermal heat pump, averages energy costs of $1 a day. This includes all heating, cooling and hot water needs!

Geothermal heat pump systems can reduce a building’s energy consumption by 25% to 75%, as compared with conventional heating systems. Not only do they reduce energy consumption, but GHPs significantly lesson corresponding emissions. Emissions can be reduced up 44-72%, as compared with standard air-source heat pumps and air conditioning equipment. If you want to upgrade your space conditioning sources or are building a new home, these systems are green, clean and lean. In the long run they will benefit your pocket-book and the environment.

The simplest description of the geoexchange process is the movement of heat from the earth (or a groundwater source) into the home in the winter, and the discharging of heat back into the ground in the summer. Much of the country experiences extreme seasonal temperatures. But, did you know that just a few feet below the earth’s surface, the ground remains a relatively constant temperature? Ground temperatures range from 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. As in a cave, the ground temperature is warmer than the ambient air in the winter and cooler than that air in the summer. Geoexchange systems take advantage of this natural phenomenon.

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS: THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF HEAT EXCHANGE

The geothermal system includes these principal components:

- Earth Connection

Using the earth as a heat source and sink, a series of pipes is buried under ground, near the house. A fluid (water or a mixture of water and antifreeze) is circulated through these pipes. If the surrounding air is cooler than the soil, the pipes will absorb heat and if the air is warmer, they will sink heat back into the soil.

- Geothermal Heat Pump

For the actual heating of your home, a geothermal heat pump is installed. This heat pump removes heat from the fluid in the pipes, concentrates it, and then transfers it to the building. The process is reversed for cooling.

- Heat Distribution

Generally, conventional ductwork is used to distribute heated or cooled air from the pump into and throughout the building.

THE “DESUPERHEATER”: REDUCE YOUR HOT WATER COSTS BY HALF!

Geothermal heat pumps can be equipped with a “desuperheater. Yes, it sounds like a super hero and in some ways, it is. This device will heat your household water. The heat extracted from the house by your GHP during the summer, is then transferred from the GHP’s compressor into the house’s hot water tank. Winter water heating costs can be reduced by half with use of the “desuperheater”. HOT STUFF!

SHORT TERM COSTS VS LONGTERM SAVINGS

On average, a geothermal heat pump system costs about $2500 per ton of capacity. This would translate to roughly $7500 for a typical residential sized home. Other standard systems with air conditioning units usually go for about $4000. But, consider that with GHP’s high efficiency and much lower utility bills, your investment can be recouped in two to ten years. Financially, it is a golden ticket to strengthen the investment in your property. Not only in long term savings, but also in terms of increasing property value. A property that is equipped to heat/cool using geothermal is mostly self-sufficient, energy wise. There is real re-sale value, right there. Likewise, many geothermal systems can be financed with special loans from banks and other financial institutions. Get on board now, and invest in the investment that keeps on giving, naturally!

GEOTHERMAL IS SUPERIOR

DURABILITY

With fewer mechanical components that are all sheltered from the elements and possible vandalism, geothermal heat pumps are durable and highly reliable. Expect piping systems to come with 25-50 year warranties. The GHPs themselves last 20 years or more.

IMPROVED HUMIDITY CONTROL

GHPs are very effective in humid areas. GHPs improve humidity control while maintaining a 50% relative indoor humidity.

EFFICIENT AND QUIET

A two speed GHP system is so quiet. There are no tell-tale blasts of cold or hot air, as with other systems. Imagine, no A/C noise bothering the neighbors or buzzing the patio. With geothermal systems there are no outside condensing units, hence no constant hum, as with conventional air conditioners.

DESIGN IN MIND

Geothermal heat pump systems allow for design flexibility and can be installed in both new and retrofit situations. The hardware requires less space than conventional systems and so equipment rooms tend to be smaller. Imagine all the valuable home space freed up for other uses! The system also provides “zone” specific conditioning. Different parts of your home can be heated or cooled to different temperatures using GHPs.

There are so many advantages when you install a geothermal system in your home. First and foremost the immediate advantages will be for you, the consumer. Savings in utility costs will be from 20-70%! But, also consider what you will be doing for the environment with reduced emissions and reduced energy consumption. Every 100,000 homes built with geothermal heat pump systems reduce foreign oil consumption by 2.15 million barrels annually! What more do you need to know? An investment in a geothermal system for your home is undeniably wise for you, your future, the future of our planet and generations to come.

Radiant floor heating offers many advantages over other forms of heat for business or home.

Radiant floor heating is a series of pipes coiled in a room under the subflooring. Heated water is forced through the pipes, and heat naturally rises through the room from these pipes. With radiant floor heating, there are no cold tile or hardwood floors. People with poor circulation in their feet, such as the elderly and diabetics, will appreciate always getting out of bed to a warm floor beneath their cold feet. Parents too like a warm floor when babies are learning to crawl or toddling around in their bare feet.

While radiant floor heating works on the same principal as steam or forced water radiators, radiant floor heating offers several advantages over a wall-mounted radiator. Wall-mounted radiators can cause hot and cool spots in a room, depending on your distance from the radiator. However, a radiant floor heating system covers the entire room under the floor, creating even heat distribution. Radiators are hot to the touch, which can cause burns. Because the radiant floor system is under the flooring, though, there are no hot pipes to touch, and the floor underfoot is never more than pleasantly warm.

Radiators also take up precious wall space, as furniture cannot be pushed up against them, and because they create hot spots, furniture has to be arranged so that no one sleeps or sits too close to the radiator. However, as the radiant floor system is buried under the flooring, it takes up no space and does not cause hot spots.

Radiant floor heating systems are usually cheaper to operate than wall-mounted radiators as well. Wall-mounted radiators have to have very hot water and get well-heated in order to cause convection, the movement of cooler air towards the radiator and the movement of warmer air away from it to heat the entire room. Because the radiant floor heating system distributes its heat evenly over the entire room, convection is not necessary. This means that the radiant floor system does not have to have such hot water in order to work effectively, lessening energy costs.

The primary advantage of the radiant floor heating system over a forced air system is air quality. Furnaces and heat pumps cause the air in a building to dry out rapidly. This can cause a lot of problems for people with sinus or lung issues. Also, coming in from cold and damp to hot and dry can be hard on people with poor health. People with allergies suffer under forced air systems as well because such systems stir up allergens and the dryness causes them to linger in the air longer than usual. Duct work can also harbor allergens, such as mold, compounding the problem.

In most cases, radiant floor heating, when properly installed and insulated, is cheaper to operate than any other system on the market today, and is considered by most to be the most comfortable home heating system as well.

When choosing a heat pump, there are a number of factors to consider. This article should leave you better informed on choosing a heat pump.

Location, location, location…

Where you want a heat pump plays a crucial factor in choosing which heat pump is right for you. The larger your room, the larger the capacity of heat pump you require.

If you wish to install a heat pump in your bedroom, take particular care to opt for the quietest possible unit. If you get a noisy heat pump then you will not sleep too easily due to the high noise levels. Mitsubishi Electric manufacture extremely quiet heat pumps.

The number of rooms you wish to heat or cool also play a part in the selection of a heat pump. If you wish to heat or cool one room, a wall mounted heat pump is the best option. For two or more rooms, you can go for either a ducted system or two wall mounted heat pumps.

Ducted Heat Pumps

A ducted heat pump can be installed in your roof space, or in the crawl space beneath your house. A number of air grilles (or registers) are then cut into your floor or ceiling. These vents are then connected to the heat pump to allow air to circulate and be heated or cooled.

Wall Mounted Heat Pumps

These are usually mounted high up on the wall (high wall heat pump), or low down as a replacement for old electric or gas heaters. Wall mounted heat pumps are suitable for heating or cooling one room.

Correct Sizing

You must get the correct size heat pump for your room. Too small a heat pump will cause it to run at maximum throttle as it struggles to heat or cool your room. If a heat pump is oversized, it can lead to it cycling on and off, causing temperature fluctuations. To ensure correct sizing of a heat pump, always consult the professionals for a correct heat load estimation and capacity sizing.

Heat Pump Features

Modern heat pumps are very energy efficient and cost effective to run. They can heat, or cool your room to a comfortable level. Other features of a heat pump include air filters that trap dust and pollen. Water is removed from the air by dehumidification. This leads to cleaner, healthier air.

Most heat pumps also come with an infrared remote controller, and timer functions. This allows you to set the heat pump to turn on and off automatically when you know you will be away from home and when you will arrive home.

Heat pump installation

An air conditioning expert can usually install a wall mounted heat pump in around 6 to 8 hours. A qualified master electrician must do the final electrical connections, and the heat pump should be commissioned correctly by a qualified air conditioning expert. Failure to follow the strict installation procedures can and will cause damage to a heat pump. Always call in the professionals.

Many homeowners are looking for quick and easy green home improvements. Whether you want to make these improvements for the sake of going green or you want to do some things before placing a home on the market that will make it more competitive with new homes, there are plenty of options.

Joining the green revolution will make your home more comfortable, less costly to heat and cool, and some changes will reduce your water and/or sewer bill. Many of these improvements will also make your home more comparable to newer homes on the market. This might or might not justify an increase in selling price. While these quick and easy green home improvements might appeal to home buyers who have a strong interest in a green home, it might not matter to other prospective buyers when they make an offer. If, however, you make available a record of your utility bills for the last year, showing a decrease in heating, cooling and water costs could be attractive to a buyer.

The top seven quick and easy green home improvements that are also economical are:

1. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs cost a bit more when you buy them, but they will last years longer and use only a fraction of the energy. Start with the lights you tend to use for the longest period of time – like the kitchen light that is never turned off or the bathroom light the kids just can’t remember to turn off. If you are planning to put your home on the market, you might want to start with bulbs in permanent light fixtures.

2. Install insulating/reflective window coverings. Film window coverings are available in several levels of light and UV ray blockage and colors. You can choose different textures and colors depending on the amount of direct sunlight on various windows. The window film is available in most hardware and home improvement stores, and it is easy to install.

3. Install weather stripping on doors and window frames. Weather stripping is relatively inexpensive and it is easy to install on window frames and door frames. It will reduce the amount of heat exchange by sealing up cracks or openings. This will make your home more comfortable, more energy efficient, and more environmentally friendly.

4. Install low flow shower heads and faucets. Most homeowners can install new shower heads and faucets or affordably hire a handyman to do it. These faucets and shower heads use less water without blocking adequate water flow. They will save water and reduce your water and sewer bills.

5. Adjust the float in the toilet tank to use less water. This is a fairly simple adjustment that can be accomplished by most homeowners or a handyman. If you can’t adjust it, try putting something in the bottom of the tank that will displace some of the water. Just be sure that what you use won’t rust and won’t get in the way of the working of the flushing mechanism.

6. Insulate the hot water distribution pipes in your home. This is also a relatively inexpensive and easy job of wrapping the pipes that go from the hot water heater to the various plumbing fixtures (kitchen, bathrooms). Keeping the water warmer as it moves through the pipes will provide warmer water and it will reduce the amount of water you have to run from a faucet while you wait for the hot water to get there.

7. Install insulating or reflective window treatments. Install reflective blinds or shades at your windows. Then be sure to close them at times when the sun shines on them directly or during the warmest part of the day. This will reduce your heating/cooling bills.

Try these seven steps to make some quick and easy green home improvements. The money you will save on utility bills will probably pay for the improvements very quickly.

Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing