Geothermal Systems And How They Work

By Dino Harder

It is not surprising for homeowners today to invest in heating and cooling systems. This is because everyone wants to make their space as comfortable as possible regardless of the weather changes. These systems will keep your place under the desired warmth regardless of the hot summer months. The situation goes the same with the cold winter months, when your house is kept warm amidst the cold months. However, investing on any heating and cooling systems won't be enough. You should also consider having a system installed in your home that does not contribute further carbon footprint to the atmosphere. These systems make use of geothermal energy to heat and cool the home.

Investing on a geothermal system will provide you tremendous benefits compared to other common heating and cooling systems. First, they are suitable for all kinds of properties, from commercial to residential. Notably, this system is more cost-effective than other heating and cooling units sold in the market. It all makes perfect sense to invest in such system because of the fluctuating prices of oil and fuel. This is a type of system that makes use of renewable energy which also adds value to the equity of your house. Due to these among other benefits, geothermal heating and cooling systems are rapidly increasing in popularity. Unlike decades ago when this system was viewed as an alternative to home heating and cooling, these days, it is a leading option amongst environmentally conscious homeowners.

So, how does geothermal system work?

A standard geothermal home heating and cooling unit comes with 2 key components:

1. Externally is a unit of high density polythene pipe buried in a horizontal or vertical position. preferably called and referred to as ground loop because it has heat transferring fluid that has a steady temperature parallel to the earth surrounding. The fluid is accountable for heat transfer from or to the earth. When in cooling mode, the fluid will discharge heat but, when in heating mode, it removes the heat.

2. Internally is a heat pump as well as a pumping arrangement that coveys the heat supplied by the loop. This can be well realized by the common refrigeration process which transfers heating or cooling by forced air or water.

The function of the heat pump is closely similar to a home refrigerator where it removes the heat from the items stored and passes the heat into the room by coils located at the back of the ref. As already indicated, the heat pump heats or cools, hence you do not need separate units for heating and air conditioning.

After circulating through the buried loop, the fluid is then piped into the home where it is joined to the heat exchanger in the heat pump. During winter months, the fluid in the loop extracts heat from the earth redirects it in the home. In summer, the process is reversed. The heat from your home will be harvested by the fluid and then it will send the heat into the earth.

Regardless of what type of home style you have, this geothermal system can be installed. Whether you decide to install the piping under your lawn or just within the driveway, this system is versatile and adaptable to the environment. The heat pumps can also exchange heat with nearby water bodies like wells and lakes. A heat pump that uses well water, before it returns the heat to the ground via the second well included will first circulate the water straight through the system.

The heat pump of the said geothermal system makes use of desuperheater. This has the ability to significantly cut down your water heating bills. During summer months, it harnesses "waste" heat from the air conditioning unit to warm the water. During winter, it diverts some of the heat from the heat pump to the water heating platform.

Cost of geothermal heat pumps

The 2009 Economic Stimulus Recovery act eliminated the cap on geothermal heat pump systems for residential installations. it made residential areas (homeowners) eligible for 30% tax incentive from the whole system cost. That said, it is important to note that the cost of a geothermal heat pump vary depending on whether the system is coming with a vertical or horizontal loop. Usually, a house of 2500 square feet with 60,000BTU heating and cooling load would cost about 25,000 US dollars for complete installation. While this is about twice the cost of the traditional heating, cooling and hot water system, a geothermal unit can minimize your energy bills by up to 60%. Geothermal system lasts to up to 23 years with period of payback of around 10 years.

A geothermal system is a perfect way to green your home and save money while reducing your carbon footprint. Nevertheless, you need to fully re-assess the average energy that you home needs before deciding to install such system. Besides reducing your utility bills, a more energy efficient home will also greatly maximize your home's equity value.

To understand further about Geothermal Heating and Cooling and find out How Geothermal Energy Is Produced.

About the Author:

If you are browsing for extra details click here to find out What Does Geothermal Cost, the article author welcomes you to view his site which covers a range of subjects on geothermal cost.

Benefits of Changing to Solar Energy in Perth

By Ian Milne

The increase in power bills and accelerating green concerns has led Australians into embracing solar power Perth as the choice source of energy. Perth is one of the cities in Australia that has got a great potential for generation of solar energy. A report by the Global Energy Agency states that Perth has the best solar resources and greatest potential for generating solar power among towns in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Perth households and enterprises have experienced the upward thrust of electricity charges to up to 45 percent in the last couple of years. With further electricity price rises anticipated, there might be no better time to turn to solar energy and save money in electricity costs.

The main virtue of solar energy is it is replenish-able. The sun provides energy nearly every day which makes it better than nuclear power or coal. Solar power generates electrical power employing a PV system/solar panel that is installed in the roof of your home or business premise. Solar energy panels can collect power enough to sustain one or two homes or business residences by distributing the energy through a power grid.

Apart from cutting costs on electrical bills and dodging electricity price rises, solar power Perth is one of the paths to cut back your carbon emissions footprint. It is a well known fact that solar power doesn't release emissions in the air and the utilisation of solar energy is one way of forestalling pollution and global temperature rises in Australia.

What's more, solar power Perth is cheap to all regardless of your private earnings thanks to the solar rebates provided by the Commonwealth and State Legislature. It's also a undeniable fact the discounts offered in Perth are one of the very highest in Australia due to the city's climate. Solar power clients in Perth are now able to cut the price of upfront installation costs dramatically and sell back to the main grid all new power.

About the Author:

Ian Milne is the business chief of avantsolar.com.au, Perths premier solar energy panel specialists. With a selection of different solar modules and inverters to suit every budget and application.

Why you should buy Solar Cell Perth

By Ian Milne

Solar energy has multiple benefits to the users and to the environment. A few of these benefits can only ever be reaped by individuals that have invested in Solar Panel Perth. This is a reason why you should take control of employing solar energy. For example, solar energy is considered to be the cleanest as it produces no contaminants into the atmosphere. Due to this, the air remains safe to breathe.

Because the employment of Solar Energy Panel Perth doesn't produce any green house gases, it suggests that it doesn't make a contribution to global temperature increases. In fact , solar energy does contribute actively to the decreasing of green house gases like CO2 which are responsible for global temperature rises.

Using solar energy means that you are participating in protection of the environment for posterity. Unlike any other sources of power like oil, destruction of the environment is unavoidable since it's got to be exploited during drilling. This is a factor that leads to degeneration of the environment. As well as this, solar energy is more reliable compared against most other energy sources since it is improbable that the panel will develop an issue.

The cost of using solar energy is cheaper once you have made the original investment. The only impediment before has been the initial value of it which was excessive to plenty of individuals in Perth and across Australia.

Nevertheless since the govt has intervened by the arrival of solar energy repayments, there isn't any reason why you can't invest in the same.

Since the quantity of sunlight in Perth is sufficient, there's a very good chance that you're going to be producing rather more energy than you need. You may then feed in the surplus energy into the national grid suggesting that you receive a specific amount of cash for each KWh.

About the Author:

Ian Milne is the business boss of avantsolar.com.au, Perths premier solar energy panel experts. With a range of different solar modules and inverters to suit each budget and application.

Reduce Your Energy Bill With Solar Panels

By Glenn Wentz

Going solar as a homeowner is one of the brightest and most environmentally conscious decisions that you can make. It can really be a huge investment, but it is an investment that is worth every minute of your time and every penny of your money that you invest. It is not only kinder to your environment and the world ecology, but it is also a way for you to save a ton of money. This article is designed to provide you with a variety of tips and tricks so you can get the most from your solar panel system.

A solar system can save any where from around 20 dollars a month to completely eliminating your electric bill. It is completely dependent on how much energy you use and how many panels you have. Solar panels can be expensive if you are going to install a large number of them, however they can save you a lot of money over time. The real question you need to ask yourself is whether you have the money to initially invest in the panels. If you do, then you should, as they can save you thousands and thousands over the years in energy bills.

Unfortunately each cell is only able to create about one to two volts of electricity. This is similar to the amount produced by a AA battery. In order to create a usable amount of power, large arrays of these cells are wired together to form the well-known solar panel. These panels can then be further joined to create a solar array, which is what most people picture when they think of a solar-powered home. Because you are only limited on space as to how many panels you choose to tie together you can keep on expanding your solar array until you are actually selling power back to the electric company!

When everything is said and done, you get to enjoy the benefits of your new solar panels for a long while. Every month that you stay in your home, you will be saving a good amount of money on your electric bill. Additionally, you are helping out the environment when you utilize green energies like solar power.

Once you have determined the consumption of your home, you can begin researching the incentives, grants and tax credits that you may qualify for. There are several helpful resources for this endeavor. First, check with your local utility company. Their web site usually has information about possible grants available from them and tax credits from state and federal authorities. You can also call your local utility company and speak to a representative that can help you through the process. Also, ask your contractor if they would be able to help you with the process.

Assess your energy needs carefully. Find out how many solar panels would be necessary to cover your usual energy needs and look for ways to reduce the amount of energy you use. Perhaps you could invest in skylight tubes to benefit from natural sunlight instead of electricity. You could replace your light bulbs with more sustainable ones and change your schedule so you can use natural lighting most of the time. You will find that making a few changes to your lifestyle can have a huge impact on your utilities bill.

The first step you need to take to begin using the energy of the sun is to install solar panels. Usually, a home owner will install panels on the roof of their home. You can either install the panels yourself or call a company and get them to install them for you. In most cases, it is much more cost effective to install them on your own. There are several kits that you can buy at your local home improvement store or online that give you all the tools that you need to install some panels on your house. Even a couple of panels can go a long way in the long run.

As you can see, solar paneling is not an easy way to go green, nor is it a method of saving energy that works for everybody. Consider everything carefully before deciding whether or not to go with solar paneling. If you want solar paneling but the conditions aren't right for it to work in your home, you may need to rethink some things or consult a professional for assistance.

About the Author:

If you are searching for more particular information about How to Install Solar Power at Home, I highly recommend you visit the Free Solar Power for Homes Blog.

Solar Power Energy Systems For The Home

By Robert Allison

The sun is here for the next 5 billion years. The electricity, as we know it today, will be produced this way only for the next several years. So what should we do in this situation? Obviously, use the energy of the sun to generate cheap, green electricity.

Select the right technology. There are different kinds of solar panels available and prices vary. Again, get help from a professional and do some research to find out which type of solar panel is best for you. You can adjust your solar energy system to your needs; if you cannot afford to power your home entirely through solar energy, think about getting a smaller system. You can get outside lights powered by solar energy or a hot water solar system to cut down on your water bill instead of your electrical one.

Space needed. Your roof must be able to accommodate the area of the solar panels, and optimally the composition material of your tiles is asphalt. Wood shake or clay shingles can tack on more to the cost and are more difficult to work with. If your roof is not a viable option, you have the option of installing a a ground-mounted solar array. Again, the biggest obstacle will be your space requirements.

The federal government offers grants and interesting tax rebates for households who rely on green energies. You should find out more about the different programs and grants available. In most cases, grants are given to non-profit organizations fostering green energies, but you might be able to get one if you get some neighbors together and put together a proposal for the installation of solar panels to power your block. Do some research to find out if your state or local government has any grants you could apply for.

There are many incentives or grants that you might qualify for if you are considering solar energy. Do some research to see what kind of rebates you could get for installing a solar energy unit. To get started, check out 'The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency' which provides a list of incentives by state. It is also possible that you could get tax breaks for switching to solar energy. Again, this varies by state, so get the information that applies to you before you make the purchase.

The largest of these systems is a solar water heating system. Instead of using expensive solar panels to generate electricity, this system uses panels that are dark colored to capture as much heat as possible. These panels are then used to heat water that can be used throughout the home. The cost of these systems vary based on how complicated you make the system, and cost recovery varies by region, taking up to 20 years in northern climates.

One thing that you can do to ensure that your system runs its best is ensure that a professional installs them. If you try installing them on your own, you can mess certain things up that might make your panels less effective. By ensuring that a professional installs the panels, you will ensure that you are going to get the absolute best from your panels.

Do more research about solar energy and meet with a professional to assess your needs. Investing in a solar system is an important decision; you need to make sure that you can afford it and that solar energy is the best option for you.

About the Author:

The author of this post is a webmaster of several Solar Power Information Blogs. If you need more resources on anything regarding solar power for your home or business, please check out these sites - Build Your Own Solar Panel and Solar Electricity for Homes.

All About Solar Energy Resources

By Allan Hatchell

If you are searching for information about Arizona solar energy then you have many options. If you are in Tucson solar could be the best option for you to utilize. If you are staying in Phoenix solar energy may also be the best way to choose you as well. Residing in a desert there is even more direct sunlight and heat than practically anywhere else. Much of this direct sunlight can effortlessly be made use of and turned into electrical power.

Light and heat from the sun has actually been made use of by individuals because time immemorial. There has actually been a broad range of technology utilized. In many means solar energy is the best kind offered today. It is totally sustainable and it creates no damage to people or the atmosphere. It is a true green technology.

It has been used for heating functions, photovoltaics, and the most typical of all thermal electrical power. There are usually two different selections and they are passive and active which relies on exactly how they catch the light and distribute the power from it. In numerous spots like the Sonoran Desert it is a great option that can produce virtually endless energy.

There are different techniques utilized to absorb and collect the light. Photovoltaic panels are established in a row and they absorb the sunlight light in the day time. Thermal collectors are also made use of in many spots. Some structures that are constructed now have panels of the roof to collect the power for the whole structure.

Lots of newer buildings now have light dispersing windows and materials so that the design of the open location can naturally move the air around. According to the International Energy Agency they declare that it is the most affordable source and just how it is totally replenishable. It will have many long term advantages and will certainly impact the atmosphere in many positive ways.

Many benefits consist of boosting sustainability, reducing pollution, and to assist keep fossil fuel costs down. The techniques are utilized all over the globe and are coming to be progressively preferred every year. Every second of daylight the World receives more than enough light from the sunlight to power all the needs of the Planet for numerous years merely within that one second.

Arizona solar energy has lots of benefits for customers and is fantastic for the atmosphere. There are many tax motivations that you can easily obtain for having it as well. For more details you can go on the net and read extra posts and get professional opinion on the matter.

About the Author:

Jacobs Electric specializes in Tucson solar energy panels. Visit them online for details! (http://www.jacobselectricinc.com)

Cool Summers And Warm Winters With Air Source Heat Pumps

By Barbara Skinner

Many homes and businesses have found the use of air source heat pumps (ASHP) the answer for having a good cooling and warming system in their location. It absorbs warmth from the outside air and releases it indoors for comfortable surroundings. It is also built to provide air conditioning.

Using the principle that all outside air that registers above zero contains some heat, the ASHP uses it for both providing hot water and warming up interior spaces. For domestic use these systems are considered the cheapest way of providing warmth and cooling in a home or business.

Indoor and Outdoor Exchanger coils are the two main parts of the pump. Each has a special task to perform. Heat is extracted from the outdoor air by the outdoor coil. This is then moved to a distributing arrangement or an indoor water tank.

Temperature transfer is the basic principle on which the many different kinds of pumps operate. In simple terms, warmth from the air or ground is considered a "heat source", and pumped into your home or other location, which is called the "heat sink".

The air-source pump is the most popular among the many different models and systems on the market. It is unique in that refrigerant-filled coils are used, together with two fans, a compressor, and a reversing valve. Outside air is pumped through the coils to produce the warm or cool air desired.

The reversing valve allows the unit to produce either hot or cold air by reversing the flow of the refrigerant. In other words, instead of bringing heat into the house, it can release it. By using an outdoor fan, air is pulled over refrigerant-filled coils and blown away from the coils by the inside fan. In commercial establishments, this system is usually housed in a box on the roof with ductwork installed through the wall.

Also included are ground-source and absorption pumps, among others. These operate on different principles than the ASHP. The ground-source type utilizes a hot underground temperature, which comes from the ground itself or underground water. This is transferred indoors via a closed loop or open loop systems.

Natural gas, geothermal-heated water, solar power, or propane-heated water is what powers the Absorption pumps. Previously confined to large-scale operations it can now be used by large homes. Rather than using refrigerant compression, it absorbs ammonia in water and a hot source to provide a continuous source of heat.

Manufacturers are required to rate air source heat pumps for coefficient of performance (COP). When checking out a system for your situation always look at models that show a COP of more than 0.7 for cooling and a 1.2 for warming. Using one of these units is a good way to save from 30 to 40 percent on utility bills. There is a huge amount of information easily accessible on the Internet regarding these warming/cooling units and how they can control the temperature of any home or business area.

About the Author:

Green Future Energy specialise in supplying green energy solution

The Advantages Of Using Solar Energy For Your Home

By Adam Revell

Solar energy is a form of power that is clearly derived from sunlight. Solar power can be utilized in a wide variety of applications. Through architectural techniques, it can be used to heat a home. Through more conventional panel applications, it can be used to power a car. Further, people can utilize the sun to purify water that would be otherwise unfit for humans to drink. Each of these takes on solar power will be discussed in this article.

One interesting advantage of using solar energy is being able to sell power back to your local utility power company. Many of the utility power companies have programs where they will buy excess energy generated by your solar panels. The way it usually works is a device is installed in your home which measures the excess energy generated, after your home energy usage. The amount of excess energy is siphoned off and purchased by the utility power company.

Another thing that you should do is ensure that your walls and attic are properly insulated. If you are cooling your home and you do not have the right insulation, then a lot of the air that you are cooling is being wasted. Just by ensuring that you have the proper insulation in your home will help you save a lot of money and help you get the most out of the energy that you harness from the sun.

The installation itself is something that you'll probably want a little assistance with. A friend or neighbor who knows his or her way around a drill can really speed up the installation process. In order to minimize the amount of time you'll have to spend scrabbling around on your roof, review the instructions thoroughly ahead of time and develop a detailed plan for how you're going to do the work. Gather all of the necessary equipment in advance and make sure it's ready for the installation. If you prepare properly, installing your solar panels should be a one-day job.

Let your family know how the solar panels you are putting in your home are going to work. When they understand that during the colder months of the year, when the sun does not shine as bright, they should not use as much electricity, they will begin to follow your lead. Tell them to turn off the lights, stop using the TV and computer as much and to conserve as much energy as possible when the weather is blocking direct sunlight from your solar panels. Although they still get energy from the sun, it is not as direct and therefore not as much.

What does the future of solar power hold for you and your home? As mentioned above, solar power cells are getting more efficient all the time. Today, an extensive roof-top installation can just meet the power needs of a house in an ideal environment. Some lucky homeowners with the right set-ups even generate more solar power than they can use, and they pick up a tidy profit by selling electricity back to the utility company. You can expect the number of homeowners doing this to rise as the technology improves, and you may well be one of them!

Finally, do some research into the tax rebates and incentives that are available to you in your area. Once you have made contact with local contractors and decided on the company for you, they should be able to help you through this process. There is often paperwork and verification that needs to be done, so don't shy away from conversations with your contractor for help on these issues.

Now that the time and money is spent it's time to relax in your energy saving home. You have just paid a large portion of your electric bill for the next 25 years!

About the Author:

For more information about solar power systems and how to successfully install them yourself, don't hesitate to visit these links: How to Install Solar Power and Solar Power Storage Systems.

About Geothermal Energy

By Stephen Spreadbury

There are many different sorts of energy available to power our world. For a long while folks have employed the power of burning carbon-based fuels, such as coal (also used to provide steam power) to make energy. In the recent past, there has been a shift to using replenish-able resources to form the energy we need. These resources include hydroelectric power, solar energy, wind power, biomass energy and geothermal energy. While many people know about the first 4 of these resources, geothermal energy is less well-known.

The word geothermal comes from 2 Greek words, "geo" and "therme". These words mean "earth" and "heat", which pretty much describes what geothermal energy is. Geothermal energy is energy that comes from the heat of the Earth, deep underground. The Earth's core, where chemical reactions create great amounts of heat, is 4,000 miles below the Earth's surface. In this core, temperatures can reach up to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and this extreme heat may be used to produce energy.

While these are the fundamentals of geothermal energy, there are many other parts in the process to make this kind of energy usable. We won't tap right into the Earth's core to receive this heat, for many reasons. So instead , folks must create systems that harness the remaining heat that is in the magma (molten rock) under the Earth's crust. This heat is able to be used by utilizing the water reservoirs that are in the magma - these water stores can reach up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Think of Old Faithful in Yellowstone.

A well can be drilled down into the superheated water contained within the Earth's magma - the geothermal reservoir. Once these geothermal reservoirs are plugged into, the heated water and steam can rise to the surface, and be used to power geothermal power generation plants as well as in smaller scale projects for private household use. When utilized in geothermal power plants, the steam from the heated underground water is commonly used to power turbines, which then generate energy which can on occasion be harnessed as electricity.

By utilizing the Earth's own heat and water, energy can be made that can be utilized on a little or sizeable scale. This renewable resource (you cannot use the Earth's heat) is also cleaner and safer than many other sorts of energy, making it a great kind of ecologically sound power source.

About the Author:

Stephen Spreadbury is a professional photographer who's always on the lookout for a better product or idea for a better earth.