Geothermal Heat Pumps 101

Phillip Rye asked: It seems like about three million of you have asked me to explain how a geothermal system works. Well, maybe not three million, but it’s a bunch of you and I’m honored that I have the opportunity to do it. Now you’ve probably already figured out that I’m not smart enough to be real technical, but I do have some common sense. So I will use a common-sense approach to explain how the most efficient heating and cooling system available today can help you. Actually you could get the Oct. 25, 1948, issue of Life magazine and get a great explanation. That’s correct, 1948. Geothermal units are not new, but it has only been in recent years that they’ve gained in popularity. It just takes awhile for adults to embrace new ideas, especially if they cost more money. Notice that I said adults. When I show high school students how you can spend $50 more per month on installing a geothermal unit and save $75 per month on your utility bill, they simply say “cool.” No discussion or argument. They would take it in a minute. OK, OK – here’s how it works. All energy comes from the sun. Mr. Sunshine has provided a lot of BTUs for a lot of years and Mother Earth has absorbed and stored that energy. A closed-loop geothermal system simply removes those BTUs from Mother Earth in the winter and gives them back in the summer. At depths of five feet or more, the earth temperature remains close to 57 degrees, as evidenced by a cave’s temperature. This temperature varies only slightly across the United States. There are two basic ways to install a geothermal unit. If digging a trench is difficult or if space is limited, geothermal contractors drill holes into the ground vertically to install small-diameter polyethylene pipe. If digging a horizontal trench is feasible, the pipe is installed in a horizontal trench. A very small pump then circulates water from the earth to the geothermal unit and back to the ground in the closed-loop pipe. Actually, geothermal is not the best name for this unit. A better name is ground-coupled heat pump or water-to-air heat pump. As you learned in my last newsletter, a heat pump doesn’t create heat, it just moves heat from one location to another using a compressor. Example: A window air conditioner blows cool air inside and hot air outside. If you turn the air conditioner around, it will blow hot air inside and cool air outside. As it circulates 57-degree water in the winter, the geothermal unit, using the compressor to remove heat from the water, provides 105-degree air into the house. As the water goes back to the ground loop, it immediately starts absorbing BTUs from the earth. In the summer, a reversing valve simply reverses the process and the compressor pumps BTUs into the ground loop. The water returns to the earth and immediately starts cooling off again. It’s all about heat transfer. Here’s another example — a blacksmith heats a horseshoe to red hot. To cool it, he doesn’t wave the horseshoe into the air. Instead, he simply dips it in water. It cools off a lot faster and takes a lot less energy. I have been responsible for the installation of thousands of geothermal units and I have had no disappointed customers. My wife and I have had geothermal heating and cooling for 18 years and we simply would not have any other system. Geothermal gives good hot air in the winter and really cold air in the summer and uses less energy than any other central heating and cooling system. So don’t be a tightwad. Buy the best there is – you, your family, and your house deserve it. Solar power Read more on Geothermal Heat Pumps 101… 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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Geothermal Heat Pumps 101

Thirteen Creative Ways To Save Energy In The Winter

Share The winter brings cold, short days, which means we use more energy. Whether its your holiday decorations or saving energy while youre away from the house, here are a few creative ways that will save energy in the winter. 1. Go solar with your outdoor holiday decorations . Even big box stores like Sams and Cost-Co sell solar-powered outdoor Christmas decorations. All you have to do is set them up outside in the yard like you would any other outdoor decor and let the sun do the rest. Sure the light from them arent as vivid as electric decorations, but it achieves a very similar effect without cutting into your utility bill. Read more on Thirteen Creative Ways To Save Energy In The Winter… 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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Can You Go Green With Your Energy

Everybody is trying to do their part to go green. The amount that a person does is not the same as everyone else. The sun is one of the most valuable resources we can use. They are going about adding the solar panels to power their home in many ways including building a solar panel for those who are handy enough to do it on their own. It is possible for the typical homeowner to do some things to harness this power. There are many systems to choose that are passive in nature. There are a lot of options to choose from to accomplish this. It is basically using direct sunlight to reduce the amount of electricity or fuel you need to use to heat or cool your home. When it is cold outside, you can harness the power of the sun to make it warmer in your home. During the hotter months it is possible to deflect the energy of the sun so as to keep the house cooler and thus lower your electric usage. There are some issues to consider to help create the passive solar environment and a search of the internet with the keyword greendiyenergy can provide a person with a wonderful resource as they stat their path to less energy dependence. Some suggestions they will find include lots of windows on the south side of the house, with fewer windows on the other sides. You want lots of thermal mass, block, brick, and tile, on the south side of the house so it can be struck directly by the sun in the wintertime. The thermal mass absorbs and stores the heat energy during the day and then radiates it back into the living space as night falls and the interior temperature begins to cool. Some of the variables in this are the size of the home and the average temperature in the area. This can be calculated by multiplying the amount of glass in a house by a factor of six to see how much mass is required. A person is going to have to deal with the issue that what is good to warm the house is not good fro keeping it cooler. The best way for a person to deal with this is to find out what is the correct overhang that is required for their roof. By using this in combination with other things like the use of shade trees and window shades a person can control the amount of sun that a home gets in the summer. One thing that a person can do to make their home more efficient is to install proper windows. Look for low-e windows with a low U factor in your windows. Not all window manufacturers make windows with this combination of characteristics, so do your homework and shop around. Don’t trust products that say they can simply make existing window better. As important as windows our, the covering is just as important. A person does not have to sacrifice design for good insulation when they make their choices. Go for light colors so you still get plenty of daylight with the shades down. By using sunlight to brighten your house you will lessen the need for other sources of light. During the winter, keep the shades up when the sun is shining on the windows and mostly down at other times. During the summer, in theory, you would want to keep the shades down all the time since they not only help reject sunlight but also improve the R value of the window. The idea behind this type of energy is finding the best of both worlds. It is about doing some things over others to get the most out of your home. For more information person must do their research to decide what is right for them by turning to things such as greendiyenergy review to find out what others have done to lower their dependence on the utility companies and do their best to help the environment. Read more on Can You Go Green With Your Energy… 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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Knowing How To Save On Central Heating And Energy Bills

If you are thinking of moving house, one of the first things you should put on your list is the need for central heating installation. Since energy prices keep rising, there is no doubt that this an important thing to consider, so that you can be sure you have a cost-effective heating system. Things to Consider With Heating When you’re looking at new homes, be sure to think about central heating installation and remember that it is an important consideration. If your new home hasn’t had central heating installation , now is your chance to work out where it should go. 1. Layout – The layout of a home can have a major impact on both central heating and energy bills. Naturally, any homes with high ceilings look stunning, but they are instantly considered to be a heating issue. Heat rises, which means you are going to need more of it to warm a home with high ceilings. Always remember that high ceilings equate to high-energy bills. Another layout problem relates to how many floors your house has. Obviously the larger the home, the more appealing it is, but always think about how you’re going to heat the lower ground floors. Tri-level homes often have a problem with something called the zone effect. This basically means that the top rooms will be very warm and the lower ones will be very cool. Unless you have a very sophisticated heating system, tri-level residences are going to drive your heating bill through the roof. 2. Control Areas – One way to reduce the central heating requirements for high ceiling and tri-level homes is a controllable central heating system. Since there are so many technology advancements in the world of central heating installation, there is now the option of only heating the rooms you need to, which will reduce your energy bills. For those with large homes and rooms that don’t get maximum use, a controllable heating system could be a great idea. It may be that the home you want to move to hasn’t already had central heating installation, which means a controllable system is something you can think about before you buy. 3. Vents – As a homeowner trying to be cost-effective, be sure to think about the vents in the home. In some homes, the vent layout appears to have been undertaken by a drunken sailor. For example, vents under the windows are a terrible placement. Another thing to look out for are any rooms in your new home that don’t have any vents, as these rooms will take a while to get warm and consequently mean your heating has to be turned on for longer. If it is a new home you’re thinking of buying, the central heating installation shouldn’t pose much of a problem as all the details above should have been taken into consideration by the developers. However, with older homes, you may need to consider central heating installation and work out if it is going to sap your cash flow during the winter months. Read more on Knowing How To Save On Central Heating And Energy Bills… 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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Knowing How To Save On Central Heating And Energy Bills

Should You Create Your Own Household Power

The height of winter may not be the best time for a person to start thinking about generating their own electricity. However, the government incentives that are available make it a more attractive alternative that deserves looking into. If you are thinking that you’d like to go solar within the next few years, right now is the time to do it because Oregon solar panels are on sale right now, and there is a sweet spot where the state rebates are still relatively high, but the costs have come down. Winter is a good season to research solar options, experts say. During the winter, construction business tends to slow down and manufactures are more willing to cut the prices to keep working. For people who want to use the sun to generate electricity there are a couple of things to be aware of. Find out what kind of power you consume you average during the course of the past year or so. Usage is listed on the bill that you get from the local electric company or often can be found online if you look. But do you know how much electricity you actually use? Electricity is charged by the kilowatt hour. Some people use as little as 300 kWh per month; others easily use more than 1,200 kWh a month so for some people greendiyenergy is a much better investment for people who use a lot of electricity. Many local and state governments provide people who install energy saving things a tax incentive also. Take a look at the roof of your house. How old is your roof, and what kind of shape is it in? If your roof is due to be replaced, you’ll want to do that before, or along with, adding solar. And is your roof ideally situated for solar? Does it face south? Be aware of other things that can block the sun. There needs to be plenty of sun for the solar panels to collect the energy during the course of a normal day. Shop around. Ask friends and neighbors who have already installed solar power if they’ve been happy with their systems or go online and check out some greendiyenergy review to find out what has worked for others and what pitfalls you should be aware of. Look into the different ways to pay for the system. Will you borrow the money, or take it out of savings and will it give you a return on your investment over the long haul. It is possible to do this project in stages if you choose. Interview at least three potential installers and obtain bids in writing before making a decision. Do not try to do this project with a handshake, it is better to protect yourself by having everything written down. Be sure to apply for the Solar Federal Tax Credit, which allows you to claim up to 30 percent of the costs for a new system. These rebates can make the cost of a system a lot more palatable for most people. Consider your long-term electricity needs, and find out if the solar technology you’re interested in allows you to add on more panels over time if necessary. There might be other additions to your house or family that make you require more power as you get older. The best thing a person can do is find out everything that they can. If everything about this project is favorable, then follow through. It is nice to know you are doing your part to protect the future. Read more on Should You Create Your Own Household Power… Energy Tags: battery technology , hybrid cars 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! alternative power source

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Biodiesel heater

LockFarm asked: A demonstration of the diesel hot air blower we’ll be using to keep warm this winter, running on our own biodiesel. Blog at lockfarm.blogspot.com The heater is an Eberspacher and should not normally be run upside down like this (with the exhausts on top). We bought it second hand on ebay and it has now been heating our caravan for a couple of years. Solar power Read more on Biodiesel heater… Energy Tags: wind power , energy resources 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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Biodiesel heater

Considering Central Heating For Your New House

There are many different things you need to think about when moving house, but one of the most important things to consider is whether or not you need central heating installation. Especially with rising energy prices, you need to make sure it is installed properly and offering a cost-effective approach to your central heating. Heating Issues As you inspect potential homes, the central heating installation should be foremost in your mind. If your new home hasn’t had central heating installation , now is your chance to work out where it should go. 1. Layout – Lets look at the layout first, as this does have an influence over your energy bills. Naturally, any homes with high ceilings look stunning, but they are instantly considered to be a heating issue. The problem is that heat rises, so you will need more heating to heat the entire home when you have high ceilings. Always remember that high ceilings equate to high-energy bills. A second layout issue concerns the number of stories in the residence. With a home that has many levels, considering how you intend to heat all the floors is important, especially the lower ones. With homes that have 3 stories, they are called tri-level homes and are often subject to the zone effect. This basically means that the top rooms will be very warm and the lower ones will be very cool. So, without a very modern and cost-effective approach to central heating, homes with 3 floors will find that energy bills go up considerably. 2. Control Areas – One way to reduce the central heating requirements for high ceiling and tri-level homes is a controllable central heating system. Many modern heating systems allow you to isolate particular sections of the home you wish to heat. These can be a godsend for larger homes where certain rooms are not used often. If the home you’re moving to hasn’t already had central heating installation, this is something you can consider. 3. Vents – Many homeowners forget to consider vent locations. It has to be said that the vent layout in some homes leaves a lot to be desired. If you find vents located under windows, you can expect the heating bills to be outrageous. In addition to this, rooms without any vents can also be problematic, as they will take longer to heat up meaning you have to have the heating turned on for longer. If it is a new home you’re thinking of buying, the central heating installation shouldn’t pose much of a problem as all the details above should have been taken into consideration by the developers. The ones you need to look out for are the older homes that boast high ceilings, as these can cost a small fortune to heat up during the winter. Read more on Considering Central Heating For Your New House… Energy Tags: solar energy , alternative energy

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Things You Need To Know About Hay For Your Horses

Horses should be fed with the grass mostly. As we all know it is very hard to find fresh grass in winter. That is why horse owners all over the world get hay for their horses for winter season. As your horse will eat mostly hay during the winter you need to make sure it contains all vital nutrients and elements. Hay should be a healthy food for your horses and it should give them everything they need. You need to make sure your horses will be getting all required nutrients from hay. Otherwise they might develop serious health problems. It is very important to feed your horses properly especially during winter. They are not able to spend much time outside and they are not able to get minerals and vitamins from fresh grass. At the same time is getting harder and harder to find high quality hay for our horses. Popular chemicals allow farmers to get more hay, but it is not always top quality hay. The bacteria in the soil get affected by all those chemicals which means the soil becomes poorer. It has less minerals and therefore the grass gets less minerals from it as well. There are natural fertilizers like composted manure and tea, molasses and so on. These fertilizers support the soil and help to rebuild damaged soil. No chemicals are needed if the soil is taken care of properly. Unfortunately, these types of fertilizers are more expensive and many farmers prefer to get chemical ones. At the same time organic farming allows to get highly nutritious crops which are healthy to consume for people and animals. Not many horse owners think about the quality of hay they buy. That is why farmers do not want to move to organic farming and continue to use chemical fertilizers. I really encourage horse owners to insist on hay to be tested prior to purchasing it. Then farmers will try to provide high quality hay and organic farming will strengthen its positions. You should request a hay test from the grower or the hay supplier. Such a test may cost less that seventy five dollars. If your hay supplier does not want to test hay, just look around and find another one. Getting quality hay is very important for your horses. And it is definite worth some effort. If you know that your hay does not include all vital nutrients for your horse, then you should get some additional feed. Digestive enzymes and probiotics are usually required for horses that do not get quality hay. You should consult your vet to find out what feed is the best for your horses and what additional vitamins or minerals your horse should be getting to stay healthy. If you need horse barns for sale at a good price, this small horse barns site is waiting for you. It has a very nice product line with wide choice of really good offers. Exactly what a horse barns seeker needs. And don’t limit your chance to find more good offers. This is easy – we live in the world where information quickly enhances the quality of our life. That is why if you are properly armed with the info in your sphere of interest you can be sure that you will in any case find the way out from any bad situation. So, please make sure to track this web site on a regular basis or – the least time consuming way of doing it – sign up to its RSS. In such an easy way you will have your hand on the pulse of the latest info updates here. Blogging can be helpful, you just need to understand how to use the updated information from the site. Read more on Things You Need To Know About Hay For Your Horses… Energy Tags: solar energy , battery technology what can be used as alternative power alternative energy health benefits of solar energy to people alternative electric power how does HQ produce electricity how does the sun energy become basis for a biofuel how does the suns energy become the basis for biofuels alternative energy solar

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Things You Need To Know About Hay For Your Horses

Owning A Horse On Your Property – Things To Remember

It is really great to have horses on your property. They are wonderful animals to spend time with. At the same time owning horses means being responsible for them. This means caring about them and making sure they feel healthy and are comfortable. That is why you might want to know how to prevent some common injuries in your horses and how to avoid common mistakes many people make. Following these simple tips you will have a healthy and happy horse in your horse barn. First of all, you should make sure your horse is healthy. If you buy a horse at a very low price, chances are it has some health problems. Healthy horses are always very expensive. But if you do not want to have problems later on, it is recommended to get a healthy horse even though you might have to pay more for it. An important tip here is not to trust the owner and always to check it. Make sure the horse gets a full health check before you purchase it. Another important tip is the way you feed your horse. Natural diet is the best for these animals. It means your horse should eat grass mostly. Wild horses eat grass only and they stay healthy and active. It is obvious that fresh grass is not available all the year round in most areas. That is why hay is the second choice. But you should still let your horse graze whenever it is possible. There are lots of different types of horse feed on the market these days. But you need to understand that these products are made for sick horses or for horses that require special nutrition. If your horse is healthy, it does not need any special types of feed. However, if you buy such feed, make sure you get quality brands. Keep this feed dry, as it may get mold soon after getting wet. Do not forget to give your horse a salt lick. This is an important part of their diet. It is never good if your horse spends all day long inside the barn. Even if your barn is the most comfortable of all horse barns, you should remember that horses are outside animals and they need much exercise to stay healthy physically and mentally. Horses need to graze and to exercise that is why turning them to pasture is extremely important. At the same time horses are social animals and they need to communicate with others. Being a part of a herd is very important for your horse. But if you do not have other horses on your property, you could allow your horse to communicate with a dog or a cat. Even such a company is important to horses. If you need horse barns at a good price, this horse barns web resource is waiting for you. It has a very nice product line with wide choice of really good offers. Exactly what a horse barns seeker needs. And don’t limit your chance to find more good offers. This is easy – we are living in the world where information quickly enhances the quality of our life. That is why if you are properly armed with the info in your topic you can rest assured that you will always find the way out from any bad situation. So, please make sure to get back to this site on a regular basis or – an ideal solution for you – sign up to its RSS feed. Thus you will have your hand on the pulse of the freshest informational updates here. Blogs can be helpful, you just need to know how to use the updated information from the site. Read more on Owning A Horse On Your Property – Things To Remember… Energy Tags: clean energy , solar energy

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Owning A Horse On Your Property Things To Remember