Geothermal heating and cooling systems are becoming more popular, but what exactly are they?
Geothermal systems utilize the temperature below ground, as this remains largely unchanged
regardless of the time of year. It can be freezing cold during the winter, or blazing hot during the
summer, but the temperature of the Earth remains quite stable. This is because the ground
absorbs nearly half of the sun's energy as it hits the ground, and geothermal heating and cooling
systems tap into this free energy source by using a loop system. These loop systems can be open
or closed, and closed loop systems can be installed horizontally or vertically, or even in a pond.
Open loop systems can use surface water or well water. It doesn't matter whether the system is
open or closed, as both will transfer energy giving year-round home comfort.
Using Geothermal Energy during winter and summer
During the winter a geothermal heat pump extracts heat from the ground using an earth loop. As
the heat is extracted it can be distributed throughout the home using a duct system, but can also
be distributed using a radiant heating system or used to heat hot water. During the summer the
process of heating the home is reversed, as unwanted warmth extracted from the home can be
moved back into the loop, or it can be used to heat hot water.
Advantages of Geothermal Energy
It is an incredibly effective system that has been in use for quite a long time. Geothermal heating
and cooling systems are generally a lot quieter than many other heat pumps or ordinary air
conditioners as there is no noisy outside unit. Another advantage is that geothermal systems are
installed inside, so they're not exposed to the kind of wear and tear that heat pumps are subjected
to. As such they tend to be pretty reliable and low in maintenance. They are also highly effective,
and many people find that a properly installed geothermal heating and cooling system can
eliminate previous hot and cold spots in the home. The savings on energy bills can also be huge,
and can reduce energy costs of heating, cooling and heating hot water for a home by up to 70%.
In short they are environmentally friendly and one of the most energy-efficient systems on the
market.
Government Incentives for Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
Not surprisingly the government is keen to encourage use of this type of energy, so it may well
be possible to gain tax credits through the installation of the system. This is something your
installer can discuss with you. There's little doubt the use of this system is growing considerably,
especially amongst people looking to build a new home. The advantages including it in a new
build property is that the costs can usually be added to the mortgage, and should soon be repaid
due to the vastly decreased energy bills. In addition new homes are often better insulated and
have a better fitting windows and doors, helping to keep down the energy requirements which
could result in a smaller system being fitted. Fitting a geothermal heating and cooling system
will not only help reduce energy bills, but is also likely to make the home more sellable in the
future.
Air cleaners are used to remove potentially harmful indoor air pollutants. They are especially useful during winter months when it's not possible to ventilate a home by simply opening up the windows and doors. Having an efficient air cleaner is one of the best ways to help cut down on the number of particles that might otherwise pose a health risk to the homes occupants. However it is almost impossible to eliminate these airborne pollutants completely. Certain types of air cleaners are designed to be fitted to the ductwork of a home’s heating and cooling system, and will effectively clean the air throughout the whole house. Others are made to be portable units that can be placed in specific rooms or areas of the home where they are really needed. These portable units aren't capable of cleaning the air in the whole house. Portable air cleaners usually have a fan that can circulate the air and are a good choice if a home doesn't have a central HVAC
system or doesn't use a forced air heating system.
Pollutants That Can Be Removed by an Air Cleaner
There are quite a few different pollutants that can be removed by an efficient and well-maintained air cleaner. These include particles of dust and pollen, smoke generated by cigarettes or other tobacco products, animal dander, and particles generated through using appliances such as wood burning stoves and other cooking appliances. A good quality air cleaner can also remove a number of tiny particles such as bacteria, viruses, molds and dust mites. They can also be useful for removing pollutants produced by cleaning products and pesticides, and by household paints and adhesives. The exact type of pollutants that can be removed by an air cleaner does depend on the type of device used.
Different Types of Air Cleaners
Air cleaners can use mechanical air filters or can clean the air electronically. Air cleaners that use mechanical air filters are very effective at capturing larger particles, but are not that effective at removing them completely as these larger particles tend to settle more quickly. The most efficient type of air cleaner will remove these pollutants electronically. These use a system called electrostatic attraction to extract particles. The polluted air is drawn through a section where the particles are ionized so they have an electrical charge, and this enables them to be collected on flat plates that have the opposite charge. There is another type of air cleaner that is designed to remove gaseous pollutants from the air, but these tend to be specific for a particular type of pollutant and are not designed to remove all of the pollutants from the air.
Air Cleaners That Destroy the Pollutants
Some air cleaners incorporate the use of ultraviolet light technology to destroy the pollutants. These can be very effective at destroying pollutants such as bacteria, viruses and molds. Some models use UV light to produce ozone, but as ozone is a known lung irritant it cannot be used at very high concentrations. This means this type of air cleaner isn't always that effective at controlling the types of pollutants that can affect indoor air quality.
It can be quite tricky to get the indoor air quality just right in your home during the winter months. Most of us tend to keep doors and windows closed in an effort to lower fuel costs, and this can lead to problems developing in the home. The air can become too dry, or sometimes it can become too damp, so what are the solutions for getting it just right, and is it something that's easy to achieve? It's not an easy task, and it does pay to seek professional advice before spending a fortune on the products you may not need or which might not be right for your home. Products that can help indoor air quality include humidifiers, air cleaners, dehumidifiers, and ultraviolet air cleaners. All have a slightly different purpose, and it can get pretty confusing.
Humidification Systems in the Home
Humidification systems can be very useful during winter. Having the central heating on a lot tends to dry out the air in the home, decreasing home comfort levels. You probably notice your skin becomes drier during the winter months, and you may be more prone to getting static shocks. Having a home humidification system helps alleviate these problems by adding humidity to the heated air. One of the nice side effects of this is that the heated air feels warmer, so it's possible to lower the thermostat while still feeling comfortable. This means you'll not only be improving indoor air quality, but you'll also be able to lower fuel costs. Humidifiers also help protect your home and its contents, as wooden furniture shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely as it could crack and warp. Dehumidifiers are designed to do exactly the opposite, and remove excess moisture from indoor air. These tend to be used in homes where there is a problem with mold and other pollutants that like moist air, and may mask the problem rather than treating its source.
Air Cleaners Can Improve Indoor Air Quality
Air cleaners can be fitted to your HVAC system, and are the best way to help improve indoor air quality. There are lots of different types on the market, as some use ultraviolet light and are designed to remove different pollutants. Some are designed to destroy ozone which is known to be a lung irritant. The top-of-the-line air cleaners will remove just about everything as far as it is possible. It is definitely best to seek professional advice as a properly qualified installer will be able to help you select the best model for your home.
Exchanging Stale Air in Your Home for Fresh Clean Air
It's necessary to get fresh clean air into the home, even during the colder winter months. Air exchangers are designed to do just this thing, and some will vent stale air, while others will supply fresh air into the home. The best systems are more balanced and introduce fresh air into the home while extracting the stale air. They are also able to extract the heat from the stale air in the home before transferring it to the fresh clean, cold air from outdoors so you and your family stay warm and comfortable.
