Underfloor heating and solar water heaters

Underfloor heating can be an ideal choice for heating your home, efficiently and environmentally friendly. No matter if it is your budget that you are thinking about or the dependence on oil that most have, this type of heating is an ideal consideration for you. Homes that are heated in this manner are actually warmer, more comfortable and they use energy in a better way. When you couple the benefits of underfloor heating with the use of a solar water heater, the outlook gets even better!

Your Budget and Underfloor Heating

While it will cost a considerable amount of money (or time) to install an underfloor heating system it may still be one of the best decisions that you make. You see, with this type of heating, you are pushing heat into your home with the use of water, a completely renewable source of energy. When you do this, you are allowing water to circulate throughout your home, warming it as it goes only to come back to be reheated and to start the process all over again. That also means that you are heating your home from the ground up. Instead of trying to force hot air from a vent near your ceiling and heating the highest points of your home in the best manner, you are now heating from the ground up, which means more evenly heated rooms, a more comfortable feel and benefits of no electricity or gas being used.

In Comes Solar Water Heaters

Just because you are using an underfloor heating system doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take this one step further and use solar heating to heat the water, too. In fact, it is one of the most logical ways to compliment what you are doing. By using solar water heaters that use the sun’s rays to heat the water, you are in effect cutting out nearly all of the dependency that you have on other fuels. In addition, you are again using a renewable source of energy that is beyond anything else environmentally and economically friendly.

Allow Them to Work for You

Here’s why it’s so beneficial to use solar water heaters for your underfloor heating needs. You start with cold water. To heat it, you must use some form of fuel or energy. If you have a solar water heater the heat from the sun has been converted into energy by your solar collection system or solar panels . This energy is used to heat the water. Then, the water flows through your home, allowing the heat from the water to escape into the house. The cooled water then returns to the heater to start the process all over again.

No outside fuels are needed.
Everything is clean burning.
It is completely renewable.
It costs you next to nothing!

As you can see, there are many reasons why you want your heating to be coupled with the help of a solar water heater. Underfloor heating keeps your home warm with all of these benefits and more.

Potbelly wood stoves refer to the wood stoves that have a structure bulging out below the middle of the stove - the conspicuous barrel shaped body structure. These stoves are usually shorter, thicker and smaller in shape, having a round oven in the center of body. These antique wood stoves are valuable because of their age and rarity, though you buy reproductions. Moreover, they are as relevant today as they were a century ago. Americans cherish the potbelly wood stoves as these are recognized as one of the historic symbols of the United States. In ancient America, a glimpse of potbelly wood stoves was quite common at country general stores, railroad depots, one-room schoolhouses and several other historic settings. Historic documents carry images of these stoves in saloons, bars, brothels, and other locations. Many historical pictures also depict these stoves prominently.

A typical antique potbelly stove

These stoves were black colored and made of solid cast iron. Potbelly stoves of that era had removable cook lid and two doors in all. The front door of the stove was used for loading while the other door was for clean-out purposes. Crated weight of the wood stove was in the range of 200 lbs to 300 lbs, and uncrated weight was 100 lbs to 200 lbs. The stoves had a footprint of 20"W x 20"D and height of nearly 40". These stoves had primary as well as secondary draft controls. They had grates made of wood and circular cast iron knobs and handles. Many manufacturers are producing potbelly wood stoves that mimic the style and looks of the antique stoves. However, the new stoves have certain features that the traditional stoves lacked. The only drawback of potbelly wood stoves is that they have a very small opening for the logs. That makes it difficult to use normal size logs for heating. To compensate the drawback, many suppliers have started producing specially cut logs for use in these potbelly wood stoves.

Important things you should know

Potbelly stoves are usually very fuel efficient appliances. However, before you buy a new one, you should check the design of the combustion system and gaps around the joints. Ignoring these points may result in higher fuel consumption. This is an important consideration while purchasing potbelly wood stoves because these appliances provide radiant heat and the amount of fuel required makes it difficult to maintain an extended burn. A thorough check would ensure that you do not have to regret the decision of buying a potbelly stove. By using a potbelly stove, you also help the environment. Wood stoves produce much less pollution than any other home heating system that uses fuels other than wood. Wood is also a renewable resource of energy unlike coal or gasoline. Furthermore, using wood is less expensive when compared to fossil fuels. By using these stoves, you also serve the country as these appliances lessen our dependence on oil.

A solar panel system is only as good as the skill and dependability of the company that installed it. Solar Electric Texas is here to search each customer from consultation to installation and beyond, making sure the installation is up to high standards. We are also NABCEP associate and we maintain a Master Electricians license. This is important for the long-term performance of your solar power installation in San Antonio.

Easy Installation, No Hassle Process

We also take pride in our easy installation process, which starts with a phone consultation and a site evaluation. During this step, we will answer all your questions and understand your goals. We then conduct a site analysis to know which brand and solar panel energy technology is best for your particular situation. During construction, our skilled and certified installers will set up the solar energy system, providing on-site management to address construction challenges, ensure top-notch results, and mitigate any risks. But our service doesn’t stop there. We offer system maintenance and monitoring. This ensures that your panels perform at peak efficiency throughout the years. Whether the solar panels are for your home or business, trust your solar energy needs to the company that is here to stay. Call Solar Electric Texas for solar panel installation today. You had solar panels installed to lower your utility bills, make your home or business more environment friendly, and reduce your dependence on your local energy company. If your solar panel system is not functioning optimally, the longer you wait to hire the experts for a solar panel repair service the more you’re missing out on the many advantages of solar energy.

When is a Repair Necessary?

Strong winds, hail, and other extreme outdoor elements may damage your solar panels. But how do you know when to call the experts for help?
Damaged solar panel systems exhibit the following signs:

An unusually high utility bill

Damaged wiring and equipment, or loose conduit

Inverter failure

Leaks or plumbing problem (often in relation to solar pools or solar hot water systems)

Attention to Service

We pride ourselves on our attention to service. Repairing and maintaining panels is in our DNA. And although solar panel systems are generally extremely reliable, owners should hire detail-oriented experts like us to catch small problems before they become extremely costly. We have all the necessary tools and equipment to perform the job quickly and efficiently. We also maintain direct relationships with our major suppliers, which ensure access to technical support and product information.

On-Time Service

When you schedule a system inspection and repair, we will send a certified electrician, specialist, or repair person who understands three-phase power, high-voltage electrical system.Our team of solar panel technicians will also show up on time, give the repair project their full attention, and finish the job in a timely manner. Because we use only cutting-edge tools, our people can immediately pinpoint which panels need repair.

Affordable Repair Service

Solar Electric Texas has also earned the reputation as the best solar panel repair company in San Antonio because we do the best work — at the lowest prices. If you want a quote for solar panel repairs, call us and tell us about your specific needs.

Solar Electric Texas has led the way to record-setting technologies and solar power solutions, helping businesses and owners alike to cut down on electricity bills. We have also led the way with our cutting-edge approach to sustainability, and are known for our positive impact on Texas CPS Energycommunities and the environment. With our solar panel services, San Antonio homeowners and business owners can stop paying for their power bills for the rest of their lives, and would no longer have to deal with spikes in electricity rate charges. As leaders in solar panel service in Texas we are committed to safety, aesthetics, and utmost professionalism. There are several shoppers who are involved initially to finish and they are something accessible to disquiets. More than that, your purchase with Solar Electric Texas will surely foster a relationship for life. They will be on arrow for conservations, modernizes, and conservation graft. Our local team helps you benefit from CPS Energy's Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan, which aims to reduce growth in the community's electricity needs by 770 megawatts by 2020, or the equivalent of a large power plant.
The CPS Energy Solar Initiative Rebate Program allocated $15 million on February 3, 2017 to help the city meets these ambitious goals. No other solar rebate programs in our country are as good as CPS energy. These assets are inadequate- understudy his allowance that day. It is 2007, when the Freedom Solar was recognized and one solar contractor in Texas. There are several types farm that Alamo Architects, Northwest Vista Community College, Alamo Candy Company, Hoppy Monk, Guido Companies and so on. This various farm connect solar panels in San Antonio for domestic and marketable clients. They also earnings very notable with crafty and connecting the better feature for solar systems comfortable and also work to confirm each customer takes the supreme potential back on their share. From conferences to progressive observing, they deal a turn-key solar energy solution. Freedom Solar is based on the Sun Power Corporation that is related to numerous Taxes on San Antonio homemakers and industries on Solar Power. Freedom Solar is honored to have been recognized by Sun Power as the 2017 "Residential National Dealer of the Year" and "Residential Regional Top Producer of the Year" for consistently setting clients for the latest and connecting more inhabited solar power than all kinds of company in the dominant U.S.

Alternative energy means there is a huge number of energy gathered and used in a very candid process with carbon neutral power. It has improved and stimulated as the key of alternative energy sources of the next such as:

Solar Energy- uncontaminated, reflective, renewable inspiration from the eternal power is sun.
Wind power: pure, competent, less cost energy from the wind.
Biomass energy: power from natural elements and the biological materials.
Geothermal Energy: immense power source from the deep soil based on the liquid elements
Tidal Energy: from the tidal based on high tide and low tide, stream.

Alternative Energy is the best effective process at the present time. For the significance of alternative energy economical sectors to speak out the US president Barack Obama got an arrangement on this idea: “How to improve the atmosphere of this land and double manufacture in the household works for using the alternative energy in the next decades. For the promotion solar energy he woke up the awareness of all people and told that more than 75% houses are included in this process. We will be creating more work for the savings energy in the every houses of America. To established several sectors to maintain the entire country in various work like new job sectors, more energy production and washer machine”.

To be developed, alternative energy has a great focus on the various things like that government, industry and user. They are gathered and come forward to establishing this process in a long relative term. To enrich the more energetic power, its effect on the whole people that are related the main energetic market. Mainly, alternative energy is also dependable on the direction of government to afford stock in new substructure. At the present time, the alternative energy has a huge dimension on the monitor and upward for various causes. There has different sectors that the main expanse of power will be created by the solar power panel but it has more effective for scrutiny to vital group into two classes have: feathers of the solar panel and the total of contact to solar irradiation that is based on installed. But the most valuable characteristics of the panel that is more affective. The apex wattage of a solar panel mentions the total of DC energy it goods at the customary condition. To create the solar panel, there are joining a quantity of solar cells into the different logics. Actually the housing solar panel becomes more obtainable in 2018. The range of several types watts are encompassed here that is 260-300 watts and enclose 60 cells linked. But in the other sides, the range of 360-400 watts and encompass 72 cells joined together. Basically, the total amount of solar panel is more fashioned it and a fixed amount of panel to solar irradiation. Alternative energy is most recycled in house of solar systems in 2018 are neither finished of polycrystalline that is related on faintly solar panels but it is more competent than the polycrystalline panels. But in that process the higher quality residential solar panels is very perfect that is approximately 39 inches wide and almost 65 inches long.

Nuclear power plants create no air pollution whatsoever run efficiently and never run out of the source of the fuel.There is always matter for fission or fusion, so there will never be a time when nuclear power will not be available. Increased production to meet peak demands is easier in this situation as well. Most of all, an increase in nuclear power plants means the ability to close down some of the old plants that are so quickly depleting oil stocks. While nuclear energy seems like the ideal solution, adversaries of the idea point out several issues that should be considered.First of all, there is a bit of a risk involved any time nuclear energy is involved. While modern technology and safety procedures can reduce the risks significantly, nuclear power is a volatile resource that cannot ever be guaranteed 100% safe. Also, because there is so much involved in the risk management, including disposal of nuclear waste, the cost of maintenance and safety of a nuclear power plant is much higher than that of any other type of power plant, including oil plants. Also, reserves of uranium, which is often a key factor in nuclear power, is in limited supply, and the entire world is on a hunt for the element.
The wind can also be used to produce energy. Probably the cleanest form of energy producing method, it can be implemented only in regions with enough potential, meaning that the wind has to be blowing almost all the time at an average speed high enough to move enormous props that can generate high voltage current. Ironically, the biggest obstacle to the implementation of wind turbines is the desire of the people to keep their view clean of the windmills…
Therefore, as the world continues to struggle over reduction in oil stocks and discusses the need to reduce oil consumption, all nations continue to tap the fuel source while debating the pros and cons of all the possible solutions, rather than simply coming to terms with the fact that there will always be a negative aspect to any procedure implemented and choosing the least detrimental option. Someday soon, there will no longer be an option to debate. In the near future, governments in the world will be forced to implement solutions to the fast depletion of oil stocks. This could lead to a combination of procedural implementations – perhaps converting all cars to ethanol-based fuel systems as well as building nuclear, solar and coal power plants, along with putting up hundreds of thousands of wind turbines. Perhaps the efficiency of wind and water energy, used as an alternative energy source by some electric company providers, will rise and become an excellent renewable resource that is never tapped dry and doesn’t pollute the environment. When gasoline prices hit $10 a gallon, people might well decide to start drilling in Alaska to search for more oil stocks. While the future is still unclear, it is certain that changes must be made before the crisis becomes a disaster, leading to global chaos.

Another problem that comes side by side with reduced availability of oil is major power outages. If power plants don’t have the resources to produce adequate energy to consumers, especially in densely populated areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston, black outs will become the norm in these areas. Already California has implemented some of the strictest energy savings codes and regulations in the country, and New York is not far behind. They are already experiencing an energy crisis, which will just expand exponentially when oil stocks begin to run dry while lighting and heating needs remain flat or increase.
Also consider other parts of the world. Many Third World countries, where there is already a starving population due to food shortages, will be lacking supplies for medication, food development, and more due to the inability to fuel the vehicles that bring such supplies. Even the few technological advantages that have been brought to these suffering areas will be of no use to them because they will not be able to afford the fuel needed to drive the industrial equipment, meaning greater food shortages.
Alternative fuel sources must be found to compensate for the need for energy that oil stocks simply can’t provide. In Brazil, this trend has already become hugely successful, with ethanol (or gasohol – a mixture of gasoline and ethanol) having almost completely replaced pure gasoline as a fuel source for vehicles. Most cars in the country have been converted to accept any of these fuel sources and run efficiently and cleanly. In fact, Brazil has become such a large producer of ethanol (which can be produced from corn crop but is typically taken from sugarcane in Brazil) that it has not only provided them with a more economical means of fueling transportation but has also brought great gain to their economy. While the United States has passed laws to include ethanol in gasoline and stands as the largest consumer of the Brazilian export, the country is still overly dependent upon oil for fuel. The main consumption of oil in America is for energy production at power plants. There are several options that have been brought to the table for conversion of current power plants and construction of new ones using alternative sources for energy production.
Coal as an alternative is actually an inexpensive solution. Currently, there is an enormous supply of this fossil fuel, which is inexpensive to mine as well as to burn for fuel. On the down side, the current procedures for burning coal are not very clean and actually produce large quantities of air pollution. While there are alternative ways to burn the product more cleanly, they are still considered experimental and inefficient. Also, coal is still a fossil fuel and, regardless of the large supply currently available, it will eventually be in the same situation as oil stocks. Another alternate source of energy in a power plant is nuclear energy. While there have always been questions about the safety of the practice, and the disaster at Chernobyl raised even more questions that caused such procedures to come under scrutiny and be practically eliminated from implementation, nuclear energy is the cleanest, most efficient resource available for energy production today.

The depletion of oil stocks has permanent negative effects on society as a whole worldwide. The United States is the number one consumer of oil in the world, with China following closely behind, and already we are starting to see the lasting effects of dependence upon oil production and oil stocks. Prices of oil products like heating oil are shooting through the roof, especially gas. However, the United States is not the only country at fault for the rising value and falling supply of oil. Global growth has led to a peak usage of oil throughout the world. Unless something is done soon to replace oil as a major source of energy, this resource will be depleted, and pocketbooks will begin to feel the pain as the situation worsens.

What has led to such a catastrophe in this day and age? Why has technology not found a better way to fuel cars, heat buildings and produce needed energy? The truth is, there are other ways to meet these needs; however to do so economically on a large scale is a huge problem. In recent years, the price of fuel in the United States has doubled due to limited access to oil stocks and production. Imagine the cost of a gallon of gas should these sources get perilously close to completion with no alternatives, or simply their shipping compromised. With oil demands and usage peaking around the world, the danger is imminent. Consumption is at an all-time high, thanks to the Industrial Revolution, which brought about the development of cars, factories, and other machines that consume oil at unbelievable rates. Power plants use oil and gas to generate electricity, while there are other alternative heating solutions that could help rid the world’s dependence upon the single fossil fuel.

The Impact of Growth

The major cause of increased oil stocks depletion is simply growth. There has been global growth in population as well as technology, and both have fueled (pardon the pun) the need for fuel. Population growth has been rapid especially in areas where there is a concentrated source of energy available, though this has caused even further complications. By gathering in one area with great density, a population will place a high demand on the energy resources and therefore cause energy shortages when the supply cannot meet the demand. This means that more oil will be used to fuel the large population, further depleting oil stocks and possibly denying a more needy area of the same energy.
When the world oil reserves are tapped, and the demand is much greater than producers can manage, the consequences will be drastic. There will be higher oil prices, which are already being seen and having an effect on economies worldwide. The price of a barrel of oil has surpassed all-time highs, hitting peaks of near $93 recently (October 2007). Not so long ago, oil was around $15 a barrel, so between political struggles, rising demands, and reduced supplies, the price has already been affected incredibly. While it seems a simple process to explore for more resources of oil, it is not; most known large oil stocks have been discovered decades ago, and exploration is a slow process – once an oil stock has been found, it takes up to ten years to start producing on a commercial basis.

It is an effective knowledge that heating systems has more positive and changeable solar designs, less emission stoves and geothermal process. How high must heating oil prices climb before consumers demand change? This several alternative heating methods are taken a positive outlook and the situation will become more comfortable and easier that is geothermal heating and fossil fuels, more reliable power sources.
solar heating systems can be either passive or active. This passive solar heating depends on houses and grasp sunlight. Passive solar homes have large, south-facing windows and thermal mass surfaces. Thermal mass is an absorptive material such as tile, concrete, or even water, which collects and stores heat for later use. Active solar heating systems consist of solar collectors, heat pumps, exchangers, storage tanks, and controls to gather, transfer, and disburse heat throughout a home, like in a parabolic solar steam boiler, for instance. Active systems rely on electricity to move the gathered heat from the solar collector through the home. Both alternative heating methods use a completely renewable source (the sun) to provide warm air and hot water to homes. No harmful emissions are produced, and significant monthly savings can be seen with implementation. Geothermal residential heating systems use the Earth’s heat as a source of warmth for homes. Because the temperature of the Earth remains constant just below the surface, underground piping can be installed with a fluid to absorb the heat. This types of alternative heating method is really calm, tranquil and effective. Like a solar heat system, the heat source for a geothermal heating system will never run out, and is readily available at any given time.
Alternative stoves using corn, wood, and wood pellets have recently seen a huge rise in popularity as people seek alternative heating methods that can support local industry and that aren’t imported from abroad. Wood and corn can be grown locally, and are a much more affordable commodity than heating oil, or even natural gas. Although many people install these stoves to supplement existing conventional heaters, often the alternative stove provides enough heat for the entire home. In the quality of heating method is greatly perfect, protected and feasible. In a house, existing duckwork system has a great effort to reform and reunite with a legal quality. And the geothermal heating system will never be wipe out in any cause and making it easily when you want this. In the alternative stoves, there are applied in a number of household activities such as wood, wood pellets and corn. There are some stoves that is related when the main elements are oven and chimney. Competition among alternative heating companies is driving prices down, and making companies more motivated to please their customers. The federal government is even lending a hand, and offering certain tax credits for the purchase of solar heating systems, and geothermal systems as well. It is time to take advantage of the superior systems available, even if that means taking an unconventional approach at heating and cooling your home. Everyone stands to benefit.

Softer grades of coal can also be burned as fuel, but are used less and less often because they produce substantial pollution in the form of sulfur and carbon dioxide. Even anthracite coal produces unacceptable levels of carbon dioxide when it is burned commercially. Clean coal technology refers to various attempts to reduce coal emissions so that the use of this plentiful natural resource does not contribute to global warming. Currently, electrical power plants burn the most coal and are the most heavily invested in clean coal. They also contribute most heavily to global warming. Some methods of cleaning up coal emissions to make coal safer include:
IGCC or Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle turns coal into gas before it is burned and removes the impurities so they don't end up in the atmosphere. 'Carbon Capture' or carbon sequestration refers to a variety of experimental technologies that remove toxic gases from anthracite and softer grades of coal so they can be burned safely. De-watering of lower grade coals removes moisture content so that low quality coal is more combustible and burns cleanly. Clean coal technology is controversial. Many environmentalists point out that widespread application of IGCC and other carbon capture methods will not be possible until 2025 at the earliest, and require major monetary investment. Clean coal advocates point out the obvious need for a fossil fuel that can help the world transition to green energy, and to the fact that coal still is the most plentiful choice. A production infrastructure is also already in place. Alternative coal stoves for home use have existed for many years. Home coal burners can be a good option in regions where access to coal is easy and the grade of coal available is good. Coal stoves, like wood stoves, require regular maintenance and an understanding of the technology in order to keep them operating safely. High efficiency alternative coal furnaces for home use are also available.
Today’s coal burning stoves and furnaces are cleaner than the home coal burners of the previous century, but alternative coal heat is not right for everyone. Consider the maintenance requirements, cost, and affordability of local coal in order to make an informed choice about whether alternative coal is right for you. In a long relative process, clean coal has effective theme of using coal, alternative based. In technology, it gives several technical things for corroborating household activities. On the contrary, different countries have continuing a great deal of action to make coal as a safe and clean, effective method. To make certain coal clean technology is a tremendous action to long process in any places and any places. Now-a-days, coal clean technology is almost decrease fly ash, safe and working with burn sulfur dioxide (SO2). But in the present situation this technology has enlarged in all over the world and that is more workable. IEA predicted that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is updating in a low process, for lack of suitable expense and fault of political and monetary problems. And it is also foresee that the handling of CCS is more than 17 large-scale.

Small wood stoves are small wood burning heating appliances for a wide range of purposes. Whether you are looking for a fireplace insert, a stand-alone heating device, a portable heating solution for your outdoor or camping needs or for cooking food, you have small wood stoves for all applications. Small stoves are available in a large array of options if you are wiling to use wood as your primary heating fuel or simply spend some evenings in the comfort of wood fire. Small wood stoves are ideal heating solutions for small seasonal cottages or family rooms. You can use these stoves to heat small portions of a large home for zone heating. This can be an energy efficient way to heat only the frequently used portion or room of your house and save money on your energy bills. However, if you are looking for a heating solution for small and mid sized homes, you will have to select mid-sized wood stoves. For larger or leakier homes, you will need a large size wood burning stove

Advantages of Small Wood Stoves

Small stoves mimic the fireplace. You can add them to your existing masonry fireplace without having the need for major structural changes. These small stoves not only provide heating comfort in the winters but also double up as a decorative accent for your living space. This is because of the attractive looks of these stoves. You can select from wood stoves, fireplace inserts, or small wood burning cook stoves in a number of style and design options right from antique Victorian models to contemporary wood stoves with a host of modern features. If you are looking for comfort with elegance, you can select a small wood stove with freestanding structure. The small woods stoves are generally made of cast iron and are easy to operate and handle. These elegant stoves have iron legs and decorative bodies. Engravings and ornamentation of these beautiful stoves make them a hot favorite. These stoves have a pipe for expelling the unwanted smoke. This pipe can go out either through the ceiling or through the wall and prevent you from the fumes and smoke.

Small Wood stoves- A Combination of Safety

Apart from the great looks, these stoves are safe when compared to the heating appliances that use oil and gas. With these stoves, you are free from the danger of fire accidents that are caused because of leaving the gas open. The sturdy body eliminates the possibility of tipping over of the stove and staring a fire. Moreover, these stoves use wood that is easily available and is a safe and economic fuel than oil, gas and electricity. Kindling the fire and extinguishing it is easier in small stoves than the stoves that use coal as fuel. Small wood burning stoves produce much less ash than the coal stoves and fireplace inserts. According to estimates, wood-burning produces 10 times less ash as compared to burning similar amount of coal. This feature of wood stoves makes them free from the need of frequent cleaning and maintenance. Last but not the least, using small wood stoves lets you discharge your responsibility towards the ecology and environment. These stoves use wood, which is an ecologically safe fuel than oil, gas and even coal. Wood is renewable source of energy and can be easily replenished. Some latest models of wood burning stoves also use wood pellets as fuel, which are made from sawdust, wood waste and other biomass waste thereby eliminating the need for felling the trees for fuel.
While selecting a small wood stove it is necessary that you consider certain aspects such as what is the area that the stove will heat, what type of wood it uses and what is the burn time. However, all these factors are relative to conditions such as geographic location and outside weather. For example, if one stove can heat a 1000 square foot area in Georgia, it could heat only a 400 square area in Alaska because of the extreme climatic differences. Similarly, the burn time also depends upon the type of wood and the moisture content. Therefore, it would be better that you consider all the aspects, make necessary enquiries and if necessary, take expert advice before purchasing a small wood stove for your house.

A new heat pump developed by Hallowell International is helping to bring geothermal energy efficiency and savings to existing construction and older homes. Until very recently, the cost of retrofitting existing and older homes for geothermal heating and cooling made upgrading to a geothermal system impractical if not impossible. With a retrofitted geothermal heating and cooling system, extensive trenches have to be dug for geothermal underground pipes, and some existing homes simply don’t have the yard space required even when the homeowner has the money to install the system. A conventional high-efficiency heat pump that uses air can still help older homes lower heating and cooling costs, but the savings aren’t nearly as great as with geothermal.

However, the Hallowell Acadia new heat pump costs 40% less to use than other above ground heat pumps, and provides heat for less than one third of conventional electric resistance heat (that is, any heating system without a heat pump attached). This puts the new heat pump well within range of geothermal savings without the need to actually install a geothermal system. The Hallowell Acadia heat pump also uses a specially developed 410A refrigerant that does not damage or degrade the ozone layer, so it is environmentally friendly over and above its energy savings. The new heat pump created by Hallowell has another advantage over geothermal beyond the more affordable installation costs. A major drawback of geothermal heating and cooling systems has always been that they work better in the winter in areas in which the temperature does not fall below 30 degrees. The new heat pump designed by Hallowell includes a second compressor built that kicks in at very low temperatures to make the refrigerant inside much colder and more able to absorb very cold air. This means that the Acadia, the new heat pump by Hallowell, is actually 200% efficient down to temperatures as low as 15 below zero!
Only recently have a few different manufacturers began to distribute air source heat pumps made specifically for in-floor hot water heating systems. These units are often called or reverse cycle chillers. The second name refers to their technological resemblance to water cooling machines, but they can now run in reverse to heat water also. Note that these units can only be used with in-floor heating systems. No type of heat pump can be used with baseboard heating systems because they require higher water temperatures that only a boiler can provide. In an air to water heat pump, the heated refrigerant does not enter the house. Instead, it is used to heat water inside the outdoor unit. The heated water is then pumped into the home, where it enters a second heat exchanger. In this heat exchanger, the water from the outdoor unit transfers its heat to the water flowing through the distribution system. If it is a very cold day, the heat pump may act as a pre-heater before the water enters the boiler. On mildly cool days, the boiler will be bypassed.

The good news then is that cost of the new cold-air heat pumps is about one third that of installing a comparable geothermal system in an existing home. The bad news is that the new heat pump is about twice as expensive a conventional high-efficiency above ground heat pump. To calculate the cost-effectiveness of installing a new heat pump like the Hallowell Acadia, take 30% of current heating and cooling costs and subtract that from what you are paying for heating and cooling now, then divide the cost of the new heat pump by that number. So for example, if you are currently paying $3000 per year to heat and cool your home, subtract the $900 (approximately) that you would pay with the new heat pump installed, for a projected savings of $2100 per year. If the new heat pump costs $4,000 (a new geothermal system costs between $10,000 and $15,000 on average so that$4,000 is an entry level cost), you will recoup your investment within only two years.
Clearly, over the long haul, such a system is much, much cheaper than installing a conventional heat pump that costs $2,000. The new heat pump designed by Hallowell is relatively new, but as more high-efficiency above ground models are developed and come on the market, the price will likely go down. Since heating and cooling are the two biggest energy demands a homeowner faces, this is definitely a welcome bit of good news.

Wind power is usually thought of as a technology to bring electricity to remote areas where power lines may not reach, but vertical small wind generators are now being used in residential applications to reduce home heating bills and create personal energy independence inside city lines. In fact, small wind generators show so much promise in urban and suburban locales for residential use that many municipalities are now scrambling to update their building codes, zoning regulations, and property tax structures to accommodate these new devices. A wind turbine large enough to generate all the electricity used in an average American home costs upwards of $30,000 and is so tall and obtrusive that the likelihood of obtaining a permit to build one inside city limits is small. Large wind turbines use huge horizontal blades that catch the wind at very high altitudes. (More wind is available the higher up a wind turbine is able to reach.) In the past this meant that wind power was not really accessible to individual homeowners unless a local power plant invested in it. Wind turbines were just too expensive.

However, the new vertical small wind generators cost between $1700 and $3500 and have a much lower physical profile. Most attach to a roof or are bolted to a base that runs alongside one outside wall. Some small wind generators are collapsible to make maintenance more convenient. Not much bigger than a weathervane, these devices are well within reach both pricewise and in terms of practicality. Small wind generators usually have vertical blades that look like rotating hamster cages turned on end. The ‘bars’ of the cage are what catch the wind and make the apparatus turn to generate electricity. Electricity is then fed to an inverter, which creates DC current that is then turned into AC current and is either stored in a battery for future use, or fed directly into the public electrical grid.
One of the biggest problems in ‘selling’ small wind generators for home use is that they almost never supply enough electricity to offset all the power needs of an average home, and this is usually what homeowners want. It is often hard to even quantify exactly how much savings a homeowner can expect, making it hard for homeowners to decide whether the device is “worth it.” However, if you look at the electricity generated by these devices as one step toward creating energy independence for alternative home heating systems, their utility becomes more obvious. Most home heating systems require a certain amount of electricity to circulate the heat. Pellet stoves, one of the most inexpensive and efficient alternative home heating systems currently available, all require a small amount of electricity to run the pellet feeder. Installing a small wind generator can easily provide more than enough electricity to run a pellet stove or a small blower, thereby taking home heating costs completely off grid and reducing utility bills in the process.

Most people are amazed to discover that the biggest energy drain in the house is the water heater, followed closely by the washer and dryer. Toasters, TVs, computers, blenders, and home heating systems all use electricity, but that usage is just a fraction of what it costs to heat water alone. Instead of thinking of a small wind generator as being a device that must be adequate to meet conventional electricity needs of an entire household, a more productive approach is to break down residential electricity use into separate components (water, washing, small appliances and electronics, home heating) and then separately find alternative energy solutions for each component. It is possible to heat water alternatively (with solar for instance) and run an alternative home heating system with a small wind generator, leaving the only real appliances and small electronics as the only real users of grid electricity. These two steps alone drastically reduce the dollar amount of a monthly electric bill. When homeowners begin to look at energy usage that way, the utility of a small wind generator becomes clear. Homeowners don’t have to wait for energy independent technologies to be invented: the tools are available today, and many are very affordable. All that is needed is a different way of framing the issues. Once the applications become clear, new community regulations that help homeowners invest in energy independent technology can then be passed, creating increased independence and savings without prohibitive red tape.

Grain stoves offer you the ability to pull away from costly and poor heating furnace and use something that may just put a smile on your face. Most people do not realize that they have other options for their burning needs other than natural gas, propane or oil. Those that do realize that there are options only know of the basics such as wood or wood pellets. Still, there are many more including the very hot burning products of wheat, rye and corn.

Why Use Grain?

Grain stoves offer the ability to burn other fuels. These fuels are often more capable of cutting your costs to heat your home. By using products other than wood, you get more heat from a smaller amount of product. And, you can often find these alternative fuels for a much lower price than that of wood as well. Wood pellets are a good choice for many, but for your grain stove, consider other options such as these.

Wheat: Grain stoves that burn wheat are able to burn at about 505,000 BTU’s. You get 60 pounds per bushel.
Corn: One of the most popular of the grain choices, corn can provide excellent heat at a low cost. You will get 500,000 BTU’s. This is from a 56 to 60 pound bushel. The corn that is used should be shelled corn that is dried to 12-18% to get this rate.
Rye: Another uncommon choice, rye can provide a good amount of heat. It can provide 505,000 BTU’s for a 60 pound bushel.

What do these alternative stoves provide for me?

Grain stoves are capable of heating most homes. They provide enough heat to replace your furnace. You may need to keep your natural gas, oil and propane to heat your hot water tank and to keep your appliances running. But, for heat, you can count on a grain stove. Some of the best stoves will burn and heat up to 3500 square feet or more. When selecting your grain stove, make sure you compare them. You should know which ones will provide the most efficient heat, which should be provided to you on the manufacturer’s website. Also, take a look at the hopper size. This is the location that the grains will be stored until they are needed to be burnt. Those that are small will only hold enough for one day while larger units will provide for a fill twice per week. This is dependant on your heating demands as well as the stove’s abilities. Lastly, when considering grain stoves to lower your heating bills, make sure that you have the grains readily available to you. You should also compare the price of those grains as compared to the price of your other heating methods. You will find it beneficial to use a renewable, clean burning fuel such as corn, wheat or rye to heat your home. Purchasing the right grain stove will make all the difference in the quality of heat in your home.

According to the World Coal Institute, reserves of coal worldwide top 847 billion tons; enough to last 130 years at the current rate of production and provide more than enough fuel for alternative coal heat. Contrast that with current oil and gas reserves (currently set to last 42 years and 60 years respectively) and it becomes clear that clean coal is a natural resource with enormous potential for the transition from fossil fuel to self-sustaining green energy. The hardest type of coal burns the cleanest and is called 'anthracite coal'. Rich reserves of anthracite coal can be found in Pennsylvania in the U.S., the Crow’s Nest Region of the Rocky Mountains in Canada, and in various spots in the Andes mountains in Peru. At the present time, most of the anthracite coal mined in North America comes from anthracite coalmines in Pennsylvania.
Softer grades of coal can also be burned as fuel, but are used less and less often because they produce substantial pollution in the form of sulfur and carbon dioxide. Even anthracite coal produces unacceptable levels of carbon dioxide when it is burned commercially. Clean coal technology refers to various attempts to reduce coal emissions so that the use of this plentiful natural resource does not contribute to global warming. Currently, electrical power plants burn the most coal and are the most heavily invested in clean coal. They also contribute most heavily to global warming.

Some Safer methods of cleaning up coal emissions:

GCC or Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle turns coal into gas before it is burned and removes the impurities so they don't end up in the atmosphere.
'Carbon capture' or carbon sequestration refers to a variety of experimental technologies that remove toxic gases from anthracite and softer grades of coal so they can be burned safely.
De-watering of lower grade coals removes moisture content so that low quality coal is more combustible and burns cleanly.

Clean coal technology is controversial. Many environmentalists point out that widespread application of IGCC and other carbon capture methods will not be possible until 2025 at the earliest, and require major monetary investment. Clean coal advocates point out the obvious need for a fossil fuel that can help the world transition to green energy, and to the fact that coal is still the most plentiful choice. A production infrastructure is also already in place. Alternative coal stoves for home use have existed for many years. Home coal burners can be a good option in regions where access to coal is easy and the grade of coal available is good. Coal stoves, like wood stoves require regular maintenance and an understanding of the technology in order to keep them operating safely. High efficiency alternative coal furnaces for home use are also available.
Today’s coal burning stoves and furnaces are cleaner than the home coal burners of the previous century, but alternative coal heat is not right for everyone. Consider the maintenance requirements, cost, and affordability of local coal in order to make an informed choice about whether alternative coal is right for you.

A geothermal heat pump is a system of home heating in the winter and home cooling in the summer that uses the temperature of the earth itself to exchange both hot and cold air. Only volcanic areas of the world tap actual heat from underneath the ground, but because a heat pump uses the relatively constant temperature below the ground as a means to exchange heat rather than generate it, when underground conduits are combined with a heat pump, any part of the country can use the earth for home heating and cooling.

How does a geothermal heat pump work?

The ground just below the surface is warmer than the air above it in winter and colder than the air above it in summer. Underground temperatures stay fairly all stable year round. Although you might not be comfortable if you simply set your house to the underground temperature at any given moment, a geothermal heat pump can regulate the temperature of your house by exchanging cold temperatures for warm ones in winter and warm ones for cooler ones in summer, using the underground temperature as a constant. In other words, a geothermal heat pump uses the constant underground temperature of the earth to exchange heat with the ground, taking it out in winter and putting it back in summer. Unlike air-source heat pumps (such as those in air conditioners or refrigerators) that simply extract heat from the air and then expel it outdoors, geothermal heat pumps perform an actual heat exchange. Heat exchange uses less energy than heat extraction from the air.
A geothermal heat pump is an extremely energy efficient, cost-effective way to heat and cool a home. The same system does both and uses a much smaller amount of electricity to do it than any other conventional home heating and cooling system. When combined with solar panels to generate the electricity needed, a geothermal heat pump can for all practically purposes become a self-sustaining system that uses renewable energy only and leaves a minimal carbon footprint. A geothermal heat pump is affordable to operate but can be very expensive to install. For example, installation of a geothermal heat pump in an existing home can cost upwards of $11,000. Installation requires digging trenches for the underground exchange system, so the initial investment can be substantial.

Air conditioning with an air to water heat pump

However, the return on the installation of a geothermal heat pump is immediate and large. A new heat geothermal heat pump will save a family living in an average-sized home up to 75% a year on heating and cooling costs. So, for instance, if you spend $3600 a year on heating and cooling (not at all a usually high amount at today’s energy prices), you will save as much as $2700 a year right away. At that rate, you can expect to recoup your investment in four to five years. For 2009 and 2010, the U.S. government is providing a $1500 tax credit to homeowners who install a geothermal heat pump in order to encourage people to invest in renewable energy. If you go a step further and install a geothermal heat pump with solar panels to fuel it electrically, after about five years you will have a source of nearly cost-free heat and cooling for your home and family. For more information on geothermal heat pumps as well as links to various state and local programs that provide tax credits or help with installation.

The installation of a floor furnace is a something you should consider if you are planning on revamping the heating system in your home or planning an addition to your living space. The benefits are considerable. A floor furnace is aesthetically pleasing, easy to control, energy efficient and economical and provides some health benefits as well. Floor furnaces have been in use for centuries, beginning in early Roman times, and is rapidly gaining popularity. They are typically installed in bathrooms and atriums since they provide heat to the room individually, but are a good choice for any room. They are ideal anywhere that space is limited or there is the need to eliminate wall mounted or baseboard heaters that can interfere with the visual appeal of a room. Since they are installed underneath the floor, they are virtually invisible.

A floor furnace is installed below the flooring of the room and is not supported by the ground. The piping system hangs from the floor and must clear the ground by a minimum of six inches. The furnace unit itself is also located below the floor and should maintain a minimum clearance on every side from any combustibles. A grate will be installed to allow for easy access to the furnace unit so that maintenance is possible. The grate should be at least six inches away from any walls and be a minimum of 24 inches away from any combustibles of 2 sides. The remaining sides of the grate should be a minimum of 12 inches any doors or other combustibles such as drapery or furniture. Also keep in mind that the grate should be more than 60 inches from any structures such as a stairway or bulkhead. Be sure that the floor furnace is installed in a configuration that will allow for servicing or replacement of any components of the heating unit. Check your local building codes to verify that installation of a floor furnace is permissible in your area; not all areas allow them.

The floor furnace has a boiler that is fueled with natural gas or propane. Water is heated by the boiler and then run through the piping system that is installed under the flooring. These pipes will transfer the heat to the room through warm air convection. The warmth of the floor creates this warm air convection, which provides a comfortable temperature. This exceptional method of heating a room is really very straight forward and effective. It tends create a "climate" through the even distribution of the heat. A wall thermostat is installed on the wall in the same room that the floor furnace is heating. It is best to install the thermostat in the same room in order to make it more convenient to regulate the temperature in the room. Other than the grate on the floor, this is the only part of the furnace that is visible. A floor furnace is available in different sizes, which will of course mean a range of prices. Models are available that use either natural gas or propane and range from 32,000 BTU to 65,000 BTU. They usually start at around $1000 and end up at around $1300. If you cannot find a floor furnace available locally, be prepared to pay extra for shipping the unit to your location.

The use of a floor furnace can provide an overall energy savings of 15-40% when compared to other methods. In addition to the energy savings, this form of heating will keep the moisture content in a room at a relatively low level. This is very beneficial to any members of your family that may suffer from asthma, allergies, or any breathing difficulties. Installing a floor furnace is a decision that will make you feel warm all over.

The original heat pumps were air source heat pumps for addition to a furnace. Then came ground source heat pumps which could deliver heat to either ducted or in-floor hot water heating systems. These systems are a fair bit more efficient but much more expensive than an air source unit. But what about an air source heat pump for in-floor hot water heating systems?

Attempting to provide a more affordable heat pump system in a home with hot water heating, some contractors utilized a device called a desuperheater. It is basically a heat exchanger here the water in the system flows across the coils which carry refrigerant which has been heated by the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit would be a standard air source unit intended to be hooked up to a coil made to pass heat to air flowing through ductwork. Instead, it would be hooked up to the desuperheater. While this was a cheaper option, the outdoor unit was unfortunately not intended to fulfill the demands of a hot water heating system, which requires different levels of heating at different times.
Only recently have a few different manufacturers began to distribute air source heat pumps made specifically for in-floor hot water heating systems. These units are often called or reverse cycle chillers. The second name refers to their technological resemblance to water cooling machines, but they can now run in reverse to heat water also. Note that these units can only be used with in-floor heating systems. No type of heat pump can be used with baseboard heating systems because they require higher water temperatures that only a boiler can provide. In an air to water heat pump, the heated refrigerant does not enter the house. Instead, it is used to heat water inside the outdoor unit. The heated water is then pumped into the home, where it enters a second heat exchanger. In this heat exchanger, the water from the outdoor unit transfers its heat to the water flowing through the distribution system. If it is a very cold day, the heat pump may act as a pre-heater before the water enters the boiler. On mildly cool days, the boiler will be bypassed.

Air conditioning with an air to water heat pump

The piping of a hot water heating system is unsuitable to deliver cold water to provide air conditioning. This means that, with any type of heat pump, fan units must be installed in rooms where cooling is desired. Cooled water from the outdoor unit will be run through pipes to these units. These units are similar to room air conditioning units in appearance. Of course, if cooling is added to several rooms, this will entail a large increase in the cost of the job. So, adding a heat pump with whole house cooling will cost a fortune with an in-floor heating system, but in the end you’ll have the ultimate heating and cooling system: radiant heating comfort, heat pump efficiency, and air conditioning. An air to water heat pump should have an HSPF efficiency rating similar to air source units, or possibly a bit lower. You can read the article on air source heat pumps for a discussion on how to estimate energy savings with a heat pump.

Have you considered getting an outdoor corn boiler? With heating costs rising and concern about use of petroleum for heat and energy production, it's no wonder that more people are beginning to wonder about alternative options for heating their homes. One lesser known heating method is the corn boiler. These outdoor heaters burn renewable fuels, such as wood pellets or feed corn, and offer a cost-effective, energy efficient, and safe alternative to standard heating methods. However, it's important to install and operate your furnace correctly and according to the recommendations of the manufacturer if you want to get these benefits. Operating an outdoor boiler inappropriately can lead to greater emissions and pollution. However, when installed and used correctly, this alternative heating option can offer significant benefits. For instance, since outdoor corn boilers are located outside, the risk of a fire inside the home is eliminated. As well, the possibility of smoke and carbon monoxide buildup that comes with indoor wood burning isn't a problem. Outdoor corn boilers are also inexpensive. People who own outdoor furnaces can find themselves paying a quarter to half as much for heat, depending on fuel cost. Most outdoor furnaces don't need to be loaded often. Once or twice a day is common for versions that burn wood, and those with corn hoppers can sustain their heat for days on one load of wood. Some people have even managed to maintain heat for two weeks without having to refill their outdoor corn boiler.

Outdoor furnaces also offer a more even heat than wood stoves. This is because a thermostat controls the heat they produce. Fireplaces and wood stoves are notorious for hot spots and cool spots. Using an outdoor corn boiler removes this problem entirely, as the heat from the furnace enters the home via water radiators or forced air. It's important to remember that even efficient methods of heating like outdoor corn boilers can be affected by outside factors. For instance, inefficient windows and doors, colder outside temperatures, cold air entering the furnace, and poorly insulated buildings are all capable of decreasing furnace efficiency. These problems can be rectified by insulating the buildings that are being heated, installing efficient windows and doors, and keeping cold air out of the furnace.
There are many myths about corn and wood furnaces that prevent people from using them. You might have heard that burning corn or wood is bad for the environment. In fact, these fuels are carbon neutral – burning them doesn't cause a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Heating with these resources also reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, such as oil, which do cause a net increase in emissions. Heating an average home with wood can save sufficient nonrenewable fossil to operate a car for a whole year. People have also said that outdoor furnaces provide a nuisance and have greater particulate emissions than regular wood burners. While this can be true if the owner of these stoves is irresponsible, the same can be said of cars and of standard wood stoves. A properly installed and operated outdoor corn or wood boiler has emissions that are comparable or less than wood stoves. New EPA guidelines mean that outdoor boilers are cleaner than ever.

Sajek valley is the name of union that is situated at Baghaichari upazilla in Rangamati district. It is also familiar for the biggest union of Bangladesh. In the deep sense, it is the name of river which differs from Bangladesh to India. This river streams in the Karnafuli River that is central river of Chittagonj hill tracts. Actually Sajek valley is located near the North Angle of Rangamati belong to Mizoram border boundary area of India. Basically this valley is famous for various ethnic people around the valley like Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Luchai and Sagma. It is one of the longest height valley in Bangladesh that is nearly 2,000 ft. high from the sea level. Abundant of tiny rivers flux into the hills among them like Kachalon and Machalong are notable. Sajek valley is called as “Hill Queen” for its eternal beauty and it is also known as the roof of Rangamati.

There are various attractive places in Sajek valley such as Marishaha(most of the houses are built by bamboo that is looking very charming and fascinating) and Kantok(it is popular for its big and beautiful orange orchard). Most of the enchanting spot are sun set, rain, morning, night and primitive people. Here roads are lool loke serpentine that is very enjoyable when you are sitting on the car. Sajek valley is in Rangamati but fitst you can arrive from Khagrachori. You begin your travel from Khagrachori to Bagaihat bazar to Machalong haat then at last you will reach your destination and dreamable place is Sajek valley. It is only 62 km from the main street of Khagrachori. You can easily hire a jeep for visiting the valley. At first on the way of a traveller you must take license from the army camp in Bangladesh. But really they are very befriend and acquaintance. So, you can easily take permission from them for checking your parcel and ticket. When you reach the valley, you will watch the eye-catching scenery that you never see before your entire life. You also see some unforgettable moments in your life. When you arrive the top position of Sajek valley, this time you can’t trust that what happen before your eyes. There are enjoyed some crazy sceneries. You watch that clouds are floating here and there beside you. And one’s can easily touch it in one’s hand actually that is unbelievable task and imaginary theme but actually real incidents in Sajek valley.

Additional information

Most suitable time to visit in Sajek valley is winter. But you take a bit risk then you watch the real beauty in rainy season.
Ensure that about there has any reservation room or not. In season sometime, it is notified that there are shortage of staying place.
Keep in mind to bargain every time before hiring any vehicle.
Electricity is not available there. So keep in power bank with you to run your phone.
Shortage of pure drinking water. So remain it with you. Save oneself from the mosquito borne diseases like malaria and dengue.

Sajek valley is one of the most eminent and illustrious places in Bangladesh. You and your family member are invited to inspect this well-known valley.

Your Budget and Underfloor Heating

In Comes Solar Water Heaters

Allow Them to Work for You

A typical antique potbelly stove

Important things you should know

Easy Installation, No Hassle Process

When is a Repair Necessary?

Attention to Service

On-Time Service

Affordable Repair Service

The Impact of Growth

Advantages of Small Wood Stoves

Small Wood stoves- A Combination of Safety

Why Use Grain?

What do these alternative stoves provide for me?

Some Safer methods of cleaning up coal emissions:

How does a geothermal heat pump work?

Air conditioning with an air to water heat pump

Air conditioning with an air to water heat pump

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