Energy Efficiency – Replace Your HVAC System With An Energy Efficient Geothermal Heat Pump

Sam Greyhawk asked: Geothermal Heat Pumps or GHPs can use 30-60% less energy than conventional HVAC systems, Geothermal systems are also quieter and require less maintenance. Geothermal Heat Pumps are not limited to heating, they can also be use for cooling and in some cases they can even be used as water heaters. While we have been using Geothermal heat pumps since the late 1940s, according to the Climate Institute, “geothermal heating” has been used since the time of the Roman Empire as a way of heating buildings and spas by using sources of hot water and steam that exist near the Earth’s surface. How Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Work? While the temperature can vary widely from season to season, just a few feet below the earth’s surface the ground maintains a relatively constant temperature. This ground temperature can range from 45?F (7?C) to 75?F (21?C) depending on geographical location. A GHP uses this stable ground temperature to heat, cool, and when properly equipped, supply the house with hot water through a ground heat exchanger. Using the consistent temperature of ht earth as a heat exchange, instate of outside air with its variable conditions allows GHPS to reach fairly high efficiencies on the coldest nights. Geothermal Systems vs. Air-Source Systems While efficiencies vary by model, conditions and geographic location consider the following. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE): Geothermal Systems can reach 300 efficiency “on the coldest of winter nights” Air-Source Systems can reach 175 efficiency “on cool days” The improvement in energy efficiency offered by GHPs can reduce energy costs by 30-50% in comparison to traditional HVAC systems. In the United States, the DOE estimates about 40,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed each year. While this may seem like a large volume, it is only a drop in the bucket when your consider two-thirds of all homes in the United States are equipped with air conditioning. Why Isn’t Everyone Using a Geothermal Heat Pump? When compared to traditional HVAC systems, Geothermal Heat Pumps “can be several times that of an air-source system of the same heating and cooling capacity” states the DOE. How expensive are they? According to Michael Bluejay, “In 2006 a geo system cost about $2500 per ton of capacity to install. A 3-ton geo system at $7500 compares with $4000 for a traditional system, for a $3500 up-front premium for the geo system. Thanks to the energy efficiency of Geothermal Heat Pumps, this expense is returned to you in savings in as a little of 5-10 years. With an expected system lifespan of 25 years for components, and 50+ years for the ground loop, a Geothermal Heat Pump can provide energy savings for many years. By reducing your electricity consumption you reduce your carbon footprint. Do your part to fight global warming, by using energy efficient technologies like GHPs to reduce your electricity usage. Solar power Read more on Energy Efficiency – Replace Your HVAC System With An Energy Efficient Geothermal Heat Pump… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Post on Google Buzz Add this to Mister Wong Share this on Mixx Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Tweet This!

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Energy Efficiency Replace Your HVAC System With An Energy Efficient Geothermal Heat Pump

How Does Geothermal Energy Work?

Steve D Evans asked: How does geothermal energy work is a good question, and one which I have often been asked. In this article I must first explain what it is, and then how it can be made to work for man. Geothermal energy is, literally, the heat of the earth. The heat itself derives from radioactive decay beneath the earth’s surface and, in certain locations, it is concentrated enough and is close enough to surface waters to be brought to the surface by local geological features. Geo-energy was once thought of as nothing but a thing to wonder at, but it is thought of very differently, now, and is considered by many as one of the most promising forms of renewable energy. It is a renewable energy source because the hot water which conveys it is replenished by rainfall and the heat it brings with it is continuously produced inside the earth. The great thing about it is that as a form of energy it is versatile and reliable and it produces electricity which generally produces none of the greenhouse gases associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. So, geothermal energy is the power which can be generated by the harnessing of the heat beneath the Earth’s surface. Deep wells are usually used to pipe steam and hot water from deep within the Earth, up to the surface. Geothermal heat comes from the magma in the earth’s core, and that itself is heated by the radioactive decay of uranium, thorium, and potassium present in the core. Geothermal energy is present everywhere beneath the Earth’s surface, although the highest temperature, and thus the most desirable, resources are concentrated in regions of active or geologically young volcanoes. Though the resource is thermal energy rather than a physical substance such as gold or coal, many aspects of geothermal energy are analogous to characteristics of mineral and fossil-fuel resources. Geothermal energy works for us when, for example, is used as to warm the water in fishing farms. The water is heated, and the warmth makes it more possible for alligators, tropical fish, and other types of fish to grow in seasons and places where they wouldn’t normally. There are some limitations to it as a form of energy. Unfortunately, the best geothermal resources are concentrated in areas of volcanic activity and are not widely distributed. The earth’s centre is a distance of approximately 4000 miles from the surface and is so hot that it is molten, but when the heat does not rise to the surface it is too far to drill down to the center. When used in a power station geothermal heat from the hot water from the well causes a “secondary fluid” to turn into vapor, which as it expands drives the turbines to produce electricity. Since the technology used in a binary-cycle geothermal power plant is a closed-loop system, nothing is emitted to the atmosphere. After turning the turbine generator, the working fluid is condensed back into liquid, which is repeatedly vaporized by the geothermal heat in a continuing cycle. Dry steam and flash steam power plants do emit low levels of carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and sulfur, although reportedly at only roughly 5% of the levels emitted by fossil fuel power plants. However, geothermal plants can be built with emissions-controlling systems that can inject these substances back into the earth, thereby reducing carbon emissions reportedly to less than 0.1% of those from fossil fuel power plants. Dry steam plants are used when the rock is very hot. They take steam out of fractures in the ground and use it to directly drive a turbine that spins a generator. Flash plants take hot water, usually under pressure and at temperatures over twice the normal boiling point of water, out of the ground. They allow it to boil as it rises to the surface then separates the steam phase in steam/water separators and then run the steam through a turbine. The turbine also turns a generator, and from that comes the electrical power. Temperatures in the Central Texas hydrothermal aquifers range from about 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 160 degrees F at depths from 500 to 5,000 feet. Historically these waters have seen some application in spas and therapeutic baths, but might also be developed for geothermal winter heating if used with heat pumps. If you were to ask the average Icelander; “How Does Geothermal Energy Work”. He would probably say; “very reliably” and, “our country shows how it can work very well”. Iceland takes advantage of its incredible geological structure to use geothermal power to their advantage. Recently, it has been reported that 17% of Iceland’s total electricity production comes from geothermal energy. Iceland has reached uniquely high levels in the utilization of geothermal energy, but the resource could be better utilized globally. Iceland is very lucky when it comes to energy as it gets almost all of the rest of its electricity from Hydro-power dams. Energy from geothermal sources today has been said to amount to less than 0.1 percent of the global world use. Currently in the US, the author understands that, only four states generate electricity from geothermal resources. In total, this provides electricity for about 3.7 million people. Water 4 Gas Read more on How Does Geothermal Energy Work?… Subscribe to the comments for this post? Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! 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How Does Geothermal Energy Work?

Geothermal Energy At Home

There are signs that finally, solely after lots of pushing, are individuals starting to concentrate to the very fact that climate modification could be a very real downside that we have a tendency to’re faced with. I say this as a result of there’s a new trend developing in the house energy business; it’s all concerning omitting a certain amount of heat into the planet with the read to obtaining back multiplied by a factor that’s determined by the level of the equipment. People are beginning to grasp that not only does powering your house with renewable energy resources create sense environmentally, however it conjointly looks once the finances. A geothermal system alone would in most circumstances get hold of itself in under two years; thereafter the household enjoys a significant reduction in utility expenses that can extremely be felt. Granted there are some negatives to having a geothermal heating system, but mainly these are felt up front. The installation will be tricky and is definitely going to be more expensive than additional ancient ways of harnessing the world’s nature power. For instance, you’ll be able to truly build and erect your own windmill or solar panel farm to nice effect for a fraction of the cost while still obtaining the bulk of the benefits. But some individuals do not return from windy areas or do not like eyesaws like solar panels and white windmills anywhere on their property. Geothermal systems at home have a sure rating connected to them. You’ll use this rating to basically confirm what your come back on energy expenditure will be. This might not be making sense however bare with me. A geothermal heating system works by injecting a tiny amount of power in to a heat pump and subsequently a nice volume of electricity is returned. This concept is measured by COP (Coefficient of Performance) – the upper the COP rating for a geothermal system, the additional efficient the system is. A COP of 2 suggests that that for every one unit that’s used to power the system, two units are put back to the home as heat. Higher COP systems are clearly additional expensive to buy and install. Geothermal heating systems also have a Cooling scale – the measure of the cooling scale is EER – the Energy Efficiency Rating. Once more the upper the EER, the higher the sytem. Underground, predominantly at depths of below six feet, ground temperature stays around 50 to fifty five degrees Farenheit all year spherical and thus throughout winter the geothermal heating system absorbs the heat from the earth and pumps it round the home. The effectiveness of a geothermal heating system relies quite heavily on location and also the climate of said location just about soil temperature, moisture and type. But, the deeper the geothermal system is placed, the less variation that exists. In contrast to different varieties of renewable energy sources (like wind turbines and solar panels) geothermal installations are generally quite expensive and need to be performed by third party experts. That said, in nearly all cases you’d expect to create a return among 2 years. Learn more about power 4 home . In order to save energy you should know about power 4 home . Click here for more information about power 4 home review . Read more on Geothermal Energy At Home… Energy Tags: energy resources , clean energy INTRODUCTION OF SOLAR ENERGY AND ITS TYPES hho cell design how much nuclear energy does schenectady use in a year Solar & Wind Hybrid what type of alternative electrical energy alternative sources types renewable energy sources hybrid type what is the most economical alternative energy source how much wind energy does schenectady use a year small scale wind and solar power sources books

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Geothermal Energy At Home

Brief Analysis of Climate Change Report

Heres my brief analysis of and comments on the recent IPCC working group report on Mitigation of Climate Change released from Bangkok, Thailand as it relates to alternative energy. Energy Efficient & Net Zero Energy Buildings Energy efficiency and renewable energy are rightly held to be a key ways to reduce carbon emissions. Buildings, both residential and commercial, are a significant emitter of greenhouse gasses. Solar hot water heating can be used to provide up to 70% of annual hot water needs for homes, it can also be used in commercial buildings that require significant hot water such as gyms and nursing homes. Geothermal (ground source heat pumps) is a lesser known source of alternative energy which can be used to both heat and cool buildings in a highly efficient way and is suited both to residential and commercial buildings. It can also be used to provide hot water. As bore holes and/or trenches need to be dug for geothermal to be installed, it is particularly suited to new builds. Electricity can be provided from renewable sources via the grid (e.g. wind power) or off-grid it can be generated using for example solar photovoltaic panels (PV). The use of insulation, natural light & shade, low energy lighting, motion detection lighting etc. can further reduce energy usage. As noted in the report appropriate building codes can minimise carbon emissions from buildings. Alternative Energy = Energy Security The report notes that nations seeking energy security (security of supply) can help achieve it using alternative energy. Nations lacking their own fossil fuels resources should be concerned with the negative impact reliance on fossil fuels can have on their economies. By increasing utilisation of alternative energy resources, nations can increase their energy security. Transport Policy & Fossil Fuels Subsidies I was disappointed by the reports lack of vision on transport. It correctly notes that past increases in efficiency in internal combustion engine (ICE) design have been used to increase power rather than fuel efficiency meaning vehicle carbon emissions have continued to climb. This trend has even continued into hybrid vehicles with performance being favoured over fuel economy (e.g. Lexus hybrid cars). Mention was made of making increased use of biofuels, which can actually significantly increase carbon emissions (see this post on Palm Oil Biodiesel ). The glaring emission, is the need for a fundamental shift from the internal combustion engine to electric vehicles. I got the impression the report in trying to build consensus was avoiding treading on any toes. Perhaps thats why it recommended only reducing rather than eliminating the subsidisation of fossil fuels. Research and Development + Technology Transfer India and China will soon be at the top of the list of carbon emitting nations. The report wrongly suggests that because many new power stations are being built in developing nations, they will be using new energy efficient designs and technologies. While new power stations may be more efficient than those built decades ago, for cost reasons less efficient technology is usually used (for more details see this post on Clean Coal ). The report notes there have been low levels of investment in research and development. Investment is needed now and much more should be done to aid the transfer of the most energy efficient technologies between nations. IPCC working group report on Mitigation of Climate Change (pdf link)

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Brief Analysis of Climate Change Report