How to Save Money using a Heat Pump
Air, earth and water have always been considered the three most important elements of our life, but in future their significance will become even greater as they are immense sources of free, renewable & thermal energy. Solar radiation from the sun heats the air, earth and water, and heat pumps are capable of extracting this heat and transferring it to a medium (gas or liquid) suitable for heating our homes. A heat pump could save you a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills.
How does a Heat Pump Work?
To help you understand the process, just think about water as it turns to steam (evaporates) at 100 degrees Centigrade. It is still possible to add heat to this steam by superheating it and then pump it somewhere else to extract the added heat. When the heat is removed, the steam turns back to water (condenses). The water is then pumped back to be reheated and turned back to steam again.
In a heat pump the liquid is called a ‘refrigerant’ and this boils at a temperature of minus 35 degrees. It is pumped under pressure through the system heat exchanger, where it picks up heat from the surrounding air, boiling as it turns into a gas, just like steam, and this boiling, gaseous refrigerant is then pumped around the system and de-pressurised, where it changes back to a liquid and gives off the picked up heat.
Applications for Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are used to create a comfortable temperature inside the house as well as supplying energy for the hot water system and they are most efficient when supplying low temperature systems such as hot water, warm air ventilation, underfloor heating and radiators, although these would have to be larger than domestic boiler powered systems.
The flow temperature of the warm water is typically between 35 & 45 degrees, much lower than achieved by a domestic boiler. The pumps are perfectly capable of generating higher temperatures, but the CoP (Coefficient of Performance) suffers, meaning the economic and ecological benefits maybe affected. Keeping the temperature at the lower end of the scale keeps the system operating at maximum efficiency.
The efficiency of an air source heat pump is measured in CoP. A CoP of 4 (typical for heat pumps) means that for every kilowatt of electricity you put in, you get 4 kilowatts of energy in the form of warm water.
An air source heat pump should cover the heating requirements of a well insulated property in all but the most extreme conditions. When used in combination with an immersion heater, both heating and hot water needs should be met, the immersion heater boosting water temperatures where necessary.
A heat pump working efficiently can significantly reduce energy consumption for heating when compared to conventional heating systems.
Considerations
Heat pumps should be considered as simply the means to capture solar energy, which you can be imaginative about, and integrate into a flexible system that suits your own requirements.
First map out your heating and cooling requirements and talk them through with your family. Think about what you already have and consider how it can be used. Solar panels on their own can provide warm water and some interior heating, but heat pumps can provide heating and cooling of your home and, if you have one, excess heat can be diverted to your swimming pool.
Existing immersion heaters, tank systems and even a log fired back boiler may be useful, so don’t start with a blank sheet, start with your current system.
A typical integrated system may consist of :-
Underfloor heating in bathrooms
Air conditioning (heating & cooling) in living rooms
Hot water
Bedroom radiator
Pool heating
You may need a consultant to calculate your load, which would vary according to the size of the property, and determine the optimum solution for you and your home.
A typical system maybe based on a heat pump, supported by an array of solar panels feeding a twin coil stainless steel cylinder tank with an immersion heater as a back up heat source.
It is not necessary to install the whole system immediately as long as you plan in advance and ensure that future capacity and fittings are provided for.
I am the co owner of Penguin Air Con, who deal with air conditioning, solar heating and solar panels in the Algarve.
Buy the Right Air Source Heat Pump and Enjoy Value for Money
Air source heat pumps offer several advantages to users. They consume less energy for heating living space and water, do not produce air and noise pollution, require less space, and offer low running cost. However, to enjoy these and several other benefits offered by an air source heat pump it is imperative to buy the right air space heat pump.
Before you start looking for an air source heat pump, determine your heating needs and requirements. The type of air source heat pump and its size would depend on your individual needs. For instance, if you have large living space, it is advisable to have under floor heating system rather than having a radiator based system. Air source heat pumps are more effective in under floor heating system. This is because the air temperature under the ground is higher compared to the temperature over the ground. This helps the air source heat pump to work better.
To ensure that your air source heat pump functions well don’t forget to get the walls and ceilings of your home well-insulated as well.
When buying an air source heat pump check its size to see if it would fit well where you are planning to locate it. You can locate your air source heat pump on the ground or mount it on a wall, but there should be enough space around it. An air source pump should get a good flow of air to function properly.
An air source heat pump can replace your LPG, gas, coal, or electricity heating systems whatever the building, but the cost of installation is greatly reduced for new building constructions. With new buildings installation is done along with other building works. Money is then saved not having to dismantle old heating systems and fittings.
To ensure you get value for money it’s a good idea to seek professional help. There are quite a few service providers who can offer you expert advice and guidance regarding which air source heat pump you should buy, which heating system would be right for your home, and how to install it properly.
If you want to find out more why not try visiting ecovisionsystems.co.uk This website can put you in touch with qualified technicians who can tell you which is the best air source heat pump and ground source heat pump in the market and which one would best suit your needs. They also offer air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps at highly attractive rates.
Phill ia a well known author and writes articles for ecovisionsystems, renowned manufacturer and supplier in the UK offers renewable energy products including Heat Pumps – Ground Source Heat Pump, Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar Water Heating and Solar Hot Water.
Residential Solar Panels – How They Can Save You Money for Years (and Why You Need One)
Residential solar panels could cut your power bill in half each and every month! Wouldn’t you like to have that happen to you? While most of these solar systems can cost an arm and a leg, you can get the same benefits without the same costs. How is that possible? Easy – You can build your own solar panels! With just a little bit of elbow grease and some minimal supplies, you could be well on your way to big savings!
So, how exactly do you build a solar panel? Is it something that everyone can do? Of course it is. You’ll need to grab some basic supplies, which can all be picked up at a local hardware store. You’ll need things like:
- A battery (car batteries work best – it needs to be at least 24 volts, but a 48 volt works better)
- Copper sheeting
- Steel tubing and sheet metal (for the framing of the solar panel)
- Electrical wire
- And a few other materials that are cheap to buy
If you’re really looking to save money (and the environment), you could opt to purchase recycled materials to build your solar panel. Or find scrap metal to use instead of sheet metal. Either way, the possibilities are endless.
Of course, in order to build an effective solar panel, you’re most likely going to need a great set of instructions (unless you’ve build solar panels in the past). This way, you’ll know exactly what you need to do in order to gain the most benefit from your newly built solar panel!
With that said, you can find instructions on how to build your own solar panel with Earth4Energy. It is a complete guide that provides full, detailed instructions on how to build your own solar panel!
Learn how to build a residential solar panel at Earth4Energy.
Buy Ground Source Heat Pump: Save Your Money & Planet
Are you confused to whether you should buy a Ground Source Heat Pump for your home or office or not? Did you know that a ground source heat pump can alleviate your electricity bill quite considerably? Ground source heat pumps are energy efficient heating systems. They have ergonomic design features that help them use the underground heat for heating the outside air and even water.
Although ground source heat pumps need electricity for running their compressors really quite high. Therefore by investing in Ground Source heat pump you can cut down your electricity bills to a very considerable extent.
Another reason why you should buy a Ground Source Heat Pump is that it allows you to add your bit to saving the planet. The Ground source heat pump is an environmentally-friendly energy system. It doesn’t add harmful carbon emissions back into the environment. Also, if you use solar power for running your ground source heat pump you help in energy conservation as well.
However, when buying a Ground Source Heat Pump keep a few important things in mind. You will need to choose a ground loop for your Ground Source Heat Pump, and there are quite a few choices. There is the borehole loop, a straight horizontal and a spiral horizontal loop to choose from. Your choice of ground loop really depends on the space you have available in the borehole or trench, the quality of ground, and of course your budget! A straight trench costs less than borehole trench, but needs more space.
For ground source heat pumps you also need to decide on a heat distribution system. You can of course use radiators or water tanks, but under floor heating is advisable as it works better.
Then you really need to decide whether you are looking for a complete renewable heating system. If so you can use solar power or other renewable forms of energy to power your ground source heat pump, other than using gas or electricity. Whatever you decide it’s good advise to keep a back up heating system.
The cost of installation of a ground source heat pump would also depend on whether it is for a new development or if it is to be incorporated with an existing heating systems. In the latter case the cost would be less. And, if you have proper wall and floor insulation, the heat demand would be less, further lowering the cost of ground heat pumps.
There are various places where you can buy Ground Source heat pumps. If you are looking to buy high quality pumps, you can try ecovisionsystems.co.uk This website is a renowned supplier of Ground Source Heat pumps, Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar heating pumps, and other renewable energy products. All of course at competitive rates.
As well as offering genuine Air Source heat pumps and Ground Source Heat pumps, they also offer expert guidance to help you select the right pump as per your heating needs and requirements.
Phill ia a well known author and writes articles for ecovisionsystems, renowned manufacturer and supplier in the UK offers renewable energy products including Heat Pump – Ground Source Heat Pump, Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar Water Heating and Solar Hot Water.
Geothermal Heat Pumps Can Help You To Save Money
There are a couple of things that geothermal heat pumps can do for your home. The first and probably the most important is their ability to help the environment. The other thing that you will benefit from using geothermal heat pumps in your home is a decrease in your energy bills. Those savings will certainly help to eliminate the cost of installing a system in your home.
The methods that the geothermal heat pumps use are very similar to a standard heat pump. The only difference is the energy that is used is derived from the heat in the earth. A standard heat pump will heat the air to provide the heat and hot water. The geothermal heat pump uses the heat contained in the earth to heat. A standard heat pump is not as efficient as a geothermal one. The cost to use this type of system will be higher in the beginning, but when you consider the savings in your heat bill you will outweigh the cost.
For those who are looking for a new home, finding a house that includes geothermal heat pumps might be the thing that clinches the deal. You might want to consider putting it on your list of things to look for in your new home. Energy efficiency is a big consideration when you are shopping for a new home. Everyone is becoming more aware of the high costs of energy and ways that usage can be reduced. Geothermal heat pumps in your new home are just one of the ways that you can conserve energy and help the environment.
Your contractor will need to be experienced in the installation of these types of pumps. It is important that you look into their references and experience before you hire them to install your geothermal heat pump.
It is very important that you keep your heating and cooling system well maintained. The contractor who installed your geothermal heat pump can probably take care of that for you. It is as important to maintain your equipment, as it is to have the correct heating and cooling equipment. If you hire someone to maintain your heating system, you should consider using him or her for all of your maintenance. This will allow you to establish a consistent relationship with the maintenance business. Once they get to know your system they will be able to detect any problems that have arisen in between checks.
Insulation in your home is also an important consideration when you are heating and cooling. You should make sure that all of the heat that you generate is not leaking out of your home as quickly as your geothermal heat pump can produce it. You will lose all of your energy savings with a poorly insulated home. Get your house in tiptop shape with insulation and an efficient heating and cooling system. Once you have zipped up your home and installed the heat pump you will find that your energy bills have decreased dramatically.
Joshua Drew is a Energy Guru. While he isn’t playing around with the newest of Energy gadgets, he can be seen at his local college taking English courses.
Find more information on his website at Geothermal Heat Pumps
Save Money By Using Green Energy
Just imagine what it would be like if you didn’t have to pay a utility bill, ever. How much money could you save? What could you do with that money, take a vacation, buy a new car?
This isn’t just a pipe dream. Thanks to new technologies it’s now possible for just about any homeowner to produce their own green energy, and save a bundle at the same time.
The first step is to learn a little about solar and wind energy. These are the two forms of renewable energy that are already being harnessed for household use.
The basic principle behind wind power and solar power is the same, you convert the energy of the sun or the wind into electricity which can then be stored or used immediately.
Solar energy uses solar panels to capture and convert the energy of the sun and wind energy uses a wind turbine to capture and convert the energy of the wind.
It isn’t cost effective to buy the turbines or the solar panels, you are better off making them yourself. This may sound intimidating, but don’t worry, it’s not hard.
There are manuals that you can use that will show you in easy to follow steps how to assemble a turbine or solar panel.
Either project can be done for only a few hundred dollars and the parts you need can be bought locally.
With one turbine you’ll save up to 80% on your utility bill. You won’t be able to generate all the energy you need, but it’s a great start. That will be 80% less energy you have to pay for.
Using green energy is available for anyone to use right now. The start up costs are small but the potential payoffs are huge. Get started today.
Learn how to make your own power at home using solar and wind energy to eliminate your energy bills now. Click Here to find out how
How Solar Panels Work To Save You Money On Energy Bills
Solar panels are a great way of producing free energy, but do you know how they work?
What makes a solar power panel work?
All electricity ‘sources’ use the same way of generating and transmitting electricity. For solar panels to work, electrons in the material flow in a current from one part of the circuit to another. Pure silicon is the element which happens to be the basic unit of solar panels.
To make the silicon transmit electrons properly, you first have to turn it into an ideal platform that is neutral and all the impurities hidden in silicon have to be stripped. Another reason why solar panels are always invariably made of silicon is because there are atomic level properties hidden in silicon.
Sunlight to energy – how the solar panel does it
Solar panel manufacturers also use the element boron. In fact boron is mixed with silicon to make the electricity flow and to make this happen you have to create a positive charge which is achieved through this silicon boron combination. The solar panels take the photons of light from the sun and the energy from this photon is the basis for the conversion of light to energy.
The main goal of the solar panel is to capture this sunlight and convert it into electricity that can be used. As said earlier, the silicon atoms in solar panels unite with their siblings and as a result electrons are shared. The electricity is generated when the silicons combine with photons. To make more energy, you need more silicon and more sunlight e.g. more than one solar cell.
After reading how do solar panels work, you must be thinking that it is rather tough to understand.
You can buy (or even build) your own solar panel and use it to power your home.
There are lots of solar panel guides online that show you how to build your own solar panel for less than $200.
To get a professional solar system installed could cost you over 5,000 dollars.
Discover how solar panels work and how you can save up to $2,200 a year on your home energy costs: See the top guides reviewed at: http://www.SolarPanelForHome.org
Green Energy as the Ultimate money Saver
Green energy is a issue now a day everyone is talking about as it grows interest; because the power squeezes an extra penny of peoples.The idea is that every time a car rolls over a plate set into the road, a small amount of kinetic energy will be transferred through the plates which power a generator to produce the electricity, which, according to Sainsbury’s representative and the makers of the system is totally “free.”
Green building materials have great profits for homeowners as well as builders. The most major benefits of green building materials to the homeowner who desires a green home are the ample lastingness and potential cost savings. A green home is very perdurable and requires much less work and effort keeping up with routine and contraceptive care. This will undoubtedly make life easier on the average householder while requiring a smaller amount call backs for contractors who specialize in green restorations and green building materials. Increasing energy efficiency is the key element in every green home renovation or green remodeling project, and it is quite practical for almost all homeowners to acquire with the proper green building materials. An energy efficient home can save money in a lot of areas either during new green construction or when playacting green renovations on your current home, it will also provide the homeowner savings each year through lower utility bills and fewer maintenance expenses.
Green building materials and green home components, like energy star appliances and high efficiency HVAC units used during green home renovations do not typically need repairs as generally, in fact many green building products used during green restorations or green remodeling projects will likely outlast the homeowner. There are many examples of green home renovations and numerous green building products that acquire high levels of lastingness and efficiency while still being comparatively low-priced.
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1) Light Bulbs – Make sure that all of the lightbulbs in your home are energy redemptive. In a lot of countries they are scrapping the old type of lightbulbs so you will no longer have a choice. Also, if you’re not in the room and the light is on, the only thing you are doing is attracting insects and wasting electricity. Make it a habit to turn that light off whenever you leave the room
2) Telephone – Have you got a landphone at home, as well as a cell phone for each occupant? How many times a week do you actually use your phone? It may be in your best interest to get rid of the home phone , you will save around $30 a month atleast.
3) Shower – Install a water saving shower head, this will save you a heap of money in your water bill. Try and take shorter showers and steer clear of baths whenever possible. A bath can be great as a luxury, but uses a heap more water than a shower. Try and have one only when you really need it.
4) Toilet -If you have an older toilet without a half flsuh button, you can get the same effect by placing a bottle of water in your cistern. “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down”. If that grosses you out too much, try and only use the half flush option.
5) repair leaking taps – If you are a bit of a handyperson, you can repair these yourself, it’s not all that difficult to do. If not, paying to get a plumber to come and fix them will still save you money in the long term
6) Switch off appliances – If you did an enquiry of your home you will find out that most of the appliances that were switched on, you would be amazed. Just because you have turned the television off with the remote, doesn’t mean it’s not using electricity. Turn it off at the wall so that green light isn’t blinking away at nothing all night.
7) Insurance – Make it a habit to shop around whenever your insurance policy is due for renewal. Insurance companies will always be interested in outbidding each other to get your business.
Check Your Bills – When your bills come in, make sure that they are correct. Even large utility companies make mistakes, and if you don’t catch them no one else will.
9) Paying Your Bills – Pay your bills online. You will save a packet on postage in the long run, and it’s just plain easier as well.
10) Refinance Your Mortgage – People get into the mindset of once they have a mortgage with a bank, that’s what they have to stick with. This is not so, you need to approach other financial institutions and see if they will offer you a better deal.
11) Make Your Own Cards – It’s not that difficult to build your own greetings cards. Birthdays, Easters, Anniversaries, Christmases, the amount of cards we buy and send off every year is mind boggling. It’s quite easy to make your own, and fun if you get the kids involved as well.
12) clean Out Filters – Cleaning Your air conditioner and clothes dryer regularly will ensure that they run better and use less electricity.Both build up a large amount of lint over a period of time.
It’s incredible the exempt people will come up with to not render their own electricity. The reality is that the process is proven, safe, inexpensive, and really does work. It’s time for you to step up and make a change that will help your family, your wallet, and the environment.
Hopefully we can twinkle an interest in them, without instilling in the thought of global calamity which is also and believed to be eventual and somewhat unavoidably possibile. Have focused on the aforementioned preparation strategies and later they will have the trust to move ahead.
Jeff Sokol is an author and teaches DIY Alternative Energy.
Can Solar Panels Save You Money?
As the prices of oil and gas continues to go up and up, the installation of solar panels is giving many families solace and stability. The sun offers an almost infinite source of energy. No wonder so many people are rushing to install solar panels. Indeed, their popularity is increasing so rapidly that manufacturers of solar panels are having difficulty keeping up with demand.
* Two Types Of Solar Panels
Predominantly, solar panels come in two types. There are solar energy panels in the form of ‘solar thermal collectors’. These focus solar energy into a liquid medium, usually water, heating the liquid that is then utilized as and where it is required. The other of the two types of solar panels is known as the photovoltaic module. These solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity, which can then be distributed immediately or stored within a battery to be used later.
Solar panels have been commonplace for decades. Think of calculators and watches. Many swimming pools have been heated using solar panels for years. These days, the electricity to homes and offices often comes from the cleaner alternative energy source of bigger, better, more efficient solar panels.
The influence of solar panels has spread so wide that even the National Grid take some of their power from solar energy panels.
* How Do Solar Panels Work?
Both photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal solar panels are made of special materials, most frequently silicon. They act as semiconductors. When sunlight hits the solar energy panels, some of the energy is absorbed within the semiconductor material. That energy knocks electrons within the silicon loose, allowing them to flow freely.
Once the electric fields within solar panels are freed by light energy, they force electrons to flow in one specific way. This flow of electrons is also known as a current. By simply placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of the solar energy panels, the current can be drawn off as electricity to be used externally.
The solar panels have built-in electric fields that, when combined with the current described above, will give us what we call a wattage. We use this to describe the power of our solar energy panels.
Why Solar Panels?
There are lots of great reasons to install solar panels in your house. Top of the list is the huge savings you will make on your utility bills. Many people feel good that they are reducing their carbon footprint. Solar panels give off almost zero carbon dioxide emission. Solar panels reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1.2 million tonnes per annum.
Another benefit is the freedom of not being tied to the National Grid. With solar panels fully fitted, power cuts and unexpectedly increased electricity bills become a thing of the past.
Solar panels are perfect for those living in remote areas with limited coverage by the National Grid.
* Installing Solar Panels On Your Home
Though there are some very good guides to making your own solar panels and then installing them into your home on a DIY basis, it is advisable to seek out a professional solar panels installation company. Ideally, the installers of your solar panels should be certified by the Low Carbon Buildings Program.
It is not advisable to try to install solar panels without full training. Make certain that your solar panels conform to the local standards laid out by the authorities there. There is a number of complex technical electrical issues to be resolved as well as full safety codes required.
Because of their weight, solar panels often need to be attached to a separate roofing support system.
Professional installers of solar panels should have gone through all the red tape and complicated issues so you don’t have to.
* Getting Planning Permission For Solar Panels Installation
Solar panels are most frequently fitted to the roof or along an external wall of the home. Be sure to check with the local council before doing this. The local authorities in most countries agree that it is acceptable to install roof mounted solar panels. Some places do require detailed listed criteria though.
In England, for example, solar panels of up to 100mm in depth can be laid across a tilted roof without requiring planning permission. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the local authorities have not finalized their legislation relating to solar energy panel, so be sure to check before you go rushing in.
*The Outlook For Solar Panels
As people become more and more aware of global warming and climate change, so the demand for good quality solar panels is increasing. The momentum among people is to move away from old-school fossil fuels in favor of alternative, more sustainable energy options. These include hydrogen, hydro-electricity, solar power, wind and wave.
Solar power is one of the most bountiful of the possible energy supplies that we have here on Planet Earth. As the technology behind solar panels improves in terms of their efficiency, so the cost of installing solar panels is falling. When added to a range of governmental subsidies, tax credits, rebates and grants, the widespread installation of solar panels onto the average householder’s roof is becoming more and more realistic. As the prices are falling further thanks to local competition in the marketplace, so, it would seem that the future of solar panels is very bright indeed.
Sam Deane has been around the world in his role as a travel magazine editor and publisher, life coach and trainer. Nowadays, he is an authority on solar panels, running an important and lively blog about solar power. http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com