Two Ways to Go Green with your Home Heating

Go Green with your Home Heating
You are to be commended for wanting to do your part in saving the environment by going “green” when heating your home. To truly understand the green heating concepts, you need to understand the basic definition of “green” in terms of the environment and related products. When a product like a heating system is deemed “green,” this means that there are no environmental earth-based materials destroyed in the process. In terms of heating, this means no trees were burned, no gas (fossil fuel) was used and there is little to no pollutant by-products during utilization.

It is easy to see heating systems that use propane, oil and natural gas are not green products since fossil fuels are the source of energy. Anything that uses electricity is a bit more ambiguous as some electric companies use fossil fuels to create energy but others incorporate solar and wind power as well. In these cases, you can likely choose which electricity source option you want. If you wish to take matters into your own hands and choose a green way to heat your home, consider these two options:

1. Geothermal heat – The basic concept behind geothermal heating systems lies in harnessing the earth’s natural heat and translating into energy that can heat or even cool your home. Pipes for this type of heating system run a few feet below ground level where temperatures are warmer than what may be outside. There are two types of pipes that could be used – one uses groundwater sources while the other uses a combination of water and antifreeze coolant. The water or antifreeze solution circulates through the pipes harnessing the heat from the earth, using the water as a conduit to transfer the heat to your home.

The only environmental upset to geothermal heating is digging into the earth to place piping for the system. No products such as wood or fossil fuels are used in the process of heating the home. Geothermal heating systems can last for years with little maintenance, making it a green and efficient heat energy source.

2. Solar heat – Before solar energy was the “in” thing, it was quite an expensive endeavor to incorporate it into any part of your home’s energy. With the 21st century brings a more affordable solar solution, attainable by many homeowners. Solar panels harness the sun’s energy, store it and then transfer it to special equipment which then translates it into energy that can be used for electricity and heating. While the initial cost outlay can be a bit expensive, in the long run it will pay off in lower energy bills and overall clean energy that is environmentally friendly.

While there are other environmentally friendly heating options in the works, geothermal and solar heat are two viable options put into practice right now. If you are building a new home or have a generous budget for revamping your home, consider these heating options and become a “greenie.”

More Here At Heating System Tips 
Filed Under: Heating System Tips Tagged with geothermal heating systems, heating system

Browse Heating Systems
Heating System Tips

Popular Tips On Heating Systems
How to Choose a Heat Pump for Your Home
Two Ways to Go Green with your Home Heating
Insulation Important for Maintaining Heat in Your Home
Should You Get a Heat Pump? What You Need to Know
How a Heat Pumps Works and What It Can Mean for You

How To Choose Heat Pumps For Your Home

Heat Pump for Your Home 
Heat pumps were once considered inefficient and undesirable, but times have changed. Thanks in large part to new efficiency standards put on heat pumps by the government; they have become significantly more desirable. They are more energy efficient than central heating and air conditioning systems.

In fact, by some estimates, the best heat pumps are as much as 100% more efficient than central heating and cooling systems. More and more people are turning to them to save money on their power and gas bills and even more people are embracing heat pumps out of concern for the environment. If you have decided to make the leap, there are things you should know before selecting your heat pump system. This guide will help you select your best heat pump.

Before getting into the specifics about heat pumps themselves, it is important to understand the installation process. Do not pick out your heat pump and then go shopping for a contractor to do the installation work. Your contractor should be working with you every step of the way through the process. Their input will be extremely valuable when it comes to choosing the right heat pump to meet your needs.

The number one thing you need to consider when you are choosing a heat pump is the size of the pump. You need one that is large enough to provide heat and cooling to all of the rooms in your home without overworking or burning out. Your contractor should be able to give you advice about the proper sizing. Many people are tempted to downsize in hopes of saving a little money up front. Don’t do it. It will increase your energy costs over the long haul and cause you to need more frequent repair and maintenance on your system. Additionally, you just won’t be comfortable in your home. It is not worth saving the few hundred dollars.

Next, consider the SEER and HSPF ratings. These ratings tell you how efficient the heating and cooling systems are in a heat pump. The higher the SEER number is, the more effectively the heat pump cools the house. The higher the HSPF rating, the more effective the heat pump is at heating the home. You should pick a heat pump that matches the climate where you live. If you have a lot of hot weather, a high SEER rating is important, and if you have a lot of cold weather, the HSPF rating should matter the most to you.

Taking the time to do your homework up front is worthwhile to get the most out of your heat pump investment – it will save you money in the long run.

More Here At Heating System Tips 
Filed Under: Heating System Tips Tagged with central heating and cooling systems, heat pump

Browse Heating Systems
Heating System Tips

Popular Tips On Heating Systems
How to Choose a Heat Pump for Your Home
Two Ways to Go Green with your Home Heating
Insulation Important for Maintaining Heat in Your Home
Should You Get a Heat Pump? What You Need to Know
How a Heat Pumps Works and What It Can Mean for You

What Is A Geothermal Heating System?

Geothermal Heating System

One of the most cost effective, long-term solutions for heating and cooling is the ground-source heat pump, more commonly known as a geothermal heating system. This system uses the natural capacity of the earth’s soil or groundwater to store heat, capturing this heat and translating it to homes and other buildings.

The groundwater and soil of the earth maintains a rather constant temperature a few feet below the ground surface making geothermal systems a reliable technology for heating and even for cooling. While new construction may incorporate geothermal heating, this type of system can be retrofitted into existing buildings and homes for heating and cooling and even providing a hot water source. You can reduce your energy foot print, save money on your utility bill and do your part in reducing pollution by relying less on fossil fuels.

Most geothermal heating systems transfer the heat from groundwater or soil through the use of a matrix of tubes called closed loops or open loops. Closed loops use antifreeze and water solution circulating through what is called a ground loop which allows for the extraction of heat from the earth. Open loops use well water to use as the source of heat and once used is returned to another well or a drainage compartment.

Each geothermal heating system contains a ground loop, an indoor heat pump, and a flow center which links the outdoor and indoor heating equipment together. The heat pump removes the heat from one location (the earth) and deposits it to another (the home) using the ground loop as the conduit for transfer. The open or closed loop systems constantly transfer the liquid over and over to maintain the transference of heat. The beauty of geothermal heating systems is that they can be used for almost any size home.

Cooling is also accomplished during warm seasons using the geothermal heating system. In this instance, the process of drawing heat into the home is reversed. The system draws heat away from the home and transferred into the earth for absorption. This geothermal process is a lot more energy efficient than a regular air conditioner for keeping the home cool during warmer weather.

The size of the geothermal heating system will dictate the cost you can expect to pay. The approximate amount can vary from $3,000 to $8,000 but the system lasts much longer than traditional heating and cooling methods – about 30 years! In comparison, traditional central air and heating systems run about $3,000 to $4,000 and cost more per month to operate than geothermal units.

If you are in the process of planning to build or remodel a home, it is the perfect opportunity to consider incorporating a geothermal heating system. Not only is it more energy efficient to heat and cool your home, it is also a “green” technology. Jump on the eco-friendly bandwagon and save money in the long run too!

Browse Heating Systems
Heating System Tips

Popular Tips On Heating Systems
How to Choose a Heat Pump for Your Home
Two Ways to Go Green with your Home Heating
Insulation Important for Maintaining Heat in Your Home
Should You Get a Heat Pump? What You Need to Know
How a Heat Pumps Works and What It Can Mean for You