Showing posts with label heating options. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heating options. Show all posts
Interior Design
Solar Energy is often incorporated into our residential architecture. Leading the pack in new solar technology is the Dow Chemical Company.
Dow has been developing Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) building materials that enable solar energy cells to be incorporated directly into the design of commercial and residential building materials such as roofing systems, exterior sidings, fascias and more. Dow’s BIPVs make solar power accessible and affordable for homeowners.
From solar product to an experienced solar support team, Dow offers an integrated, seamless solar solution that's intuitive to set up, install, use and maintain. Most importantly, it's backed by decades of innovation and on-the-ground R&D knowledge.
The Dow POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle delivers true building-integrated aesthetics by integrating PV functionality into an asphalt roof-shingle form factor. It utilizes high-efficiency, CIGS-based, PV cells manufactured on a flexible substrate. These cells are laminated and subsequently over-molded into the final shingle design using conventional materials and polymer processing methods. Dow's groundbreaking technology integrates low-cost thin-film photovoltaic cells into a roofing shingle design, which represents a multi-functional solar module. The innovative product design reduces installation costs because the conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles are installed simultaneously.The DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle was named one of the "50 Best Inventions of 2009" by Time magazine, and is expected to be available in 2011.interior decoratinghouse construction
Interior Decoration
Gas fireplaces combine form and function, making them a great supplemental heat source for your new energy efficient home.We looked at the new Rinnai RHFE 750 ETR gas fireplace, which has an efficiency rating of up to 83% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) by using a stainless steel heat exchanger and modulating gas value with an automatic blower. In addition, the RHFE 750 has many other features:
Innovative Technology and Safety Features:
• Electronic seven-stage modulating gas valve efficiently uses only the energy necessary to maintain room temperature, while providing seven different flame patterns and heat output
• Automatically adjusts the heat output and blower speed, delivering a consistent room temperature for maximizing comfort
• Sealed combustion system minimizes indoor heat loss
• Stainless steel heat exchanger
• Thermistor for accurate temperature control
• Sensors for power failure, flame failure, overheat, and power surge
Design and Convenience:
• Digital dual timer function enables fireplace to turn on and off for two set periods - great for morning and evening pre-sets
• Pre-heat mode ensures set room temperature is attained
• Full-function remote gives total control of your heat and flame output
• 3-speed fan allows even heat distribution
• On-board diagnostics and safety monitoring system
• Up to 60% heat turn-down with flame visible even on the lowest setting
• Uniquely interchangeable fronts make it easy to fit and update any décor
Advantages:
• Energy-efficient source of zone heating
• Maintains a comfortable level of heat - never too hot or too cold
• Four interchangeable fronts make it easy to change your style often
• Bottom air discharge for optimal heat distribution and for creating space for plasma screens, wall niches and other home décor accessories above the fireplace
The RHFE 750 also comes with interchangeable profiles to complement nearly any interior design. See the specifications and more about this direct vent gas fireplace.interior decoration
Interior Decoration
Many energy efficient home designs include radiant floor heat. More efficient than forced-air heating or baseboard heat, radiant heat delivers several benefits to homeowners: less allergens (circulated through the home via the heat systems ductwork) meaning better air quality, reduced electricity usage and fossil fuel usage, and evenly distributed heat at floor levels with little energy loss which means greater comfort and less drafts.Two types of radiant heat are available: 1) in-floor (most popular); and 2) wall or ceiling radiant panels.
1. In-floor radiant heat:
In-floor radiant heat is by far the most common kind of radiant systems used. There are three types of radiant floor systems: air, electric, and hot water.
Air-heated radiant floors:
Air is not a good conductor; therefore, radiant air heating systems are typically not cost effective in homes and are seldom installed. They can be combined with solar air heating systems; however they would need to be combined with a secondary heating system for non-daylight hours.
Electric radiant floors:
In this type of system, electric wires are built into the floor system or electrically conductive plastic mats are mounted to the subfloor and covered with a floor system such as tile. Electric radiant systems are only cost effective if they have a significant thermal mass such as a concrete floor. This allows you to heat the concrete floor during off-peak electric hours (overnight) and heat the home comfortably for up to 8-10 hours during high-peak electric hours (daytime). Electric radiant floor systems are practical for small additions where an additional heating system needs to be added.
Hydronic (hot water) radiant floors:
Hydronic radiant floor systems are the most popular and cost effective radiant heating system available. Water is pumped from a boiler, hot water heater, or solar collectors through tubing laid under the floor(for wood) or in a concrete or lightweight concrete slab. The tubing can be installed in zones with thermostats controlling the flow of hot water through each zone loop.
2. Radiant panels:
Radiant heat panels are usually made of aluminum and are mounted in either walls or the ceiling of a home. Heat is produced by either electric cables or plastic tubing with circulating hot water. Radiant panels can be individually controlled for each room and have a quick response time, making this heating system an option for rooms that are used infrequently. Wall panels are preferred because of the distribution of heat over the whole body as opposed to ceiling panels, which heat the head and shoulders.
If you’re building a green home, consider installing radiant heat. It creates a warm, comfortable living environment, is easy to install, and gives you a substantial return on investment!interior decoration
Interior Decoration
Radiant floor heating systems are one of the most energy efficient methods of radiant heat available. Each of the three types of radiant floor heat (electric, air, and water) can be installed using either a “wet” or “dry” installation method.
“Wet” installation methods include embedding the cables or tubing with a solid floor, such as a concrete foundation slab or a thin layer of concrete or gypsum installed over the top of a traditional wood subfloor. Additional floor support might be necessary because of the increased dead load of the materials.Concrete slab floors have a high heat storage capacity. They do, however, have a slow response time, so it is recommended to maintain a constant temperature for maximum comfort.
“Dry” installation methods include having cables or tubing installed in the air space beneath the floor. This method is faster and less expensive than wet installation methods, but because the radiant heat now involves air space which is a poor heat conductor, the system needs to typically operate at higher temperatures or for longer intervals.
Tubing or cables can be installed between two layers of subfloor with aluminum diffusers to spread the heat across the floor evenly. They may also be suspended underneath the subfloor between the joists using reflective insulation under the tubes to direct the heat upward.
Types of Radiant Floor Coverings
What type of floor covering should you have with a radiant floor heating system? Any floor covering that separates the heating system from the room will decrease the efficiency of the system and affects fuel consumption. Some floor coverings, which act as heat conductors, are better than others.
Ceramic tile, quarry tile and stone are by far some the most common and most energy efficient floor covering because it transfers and stores heat effectively, however almost any type of floor covering can be used.
Carpeting should be minimal in the home. Where required, carpet should be thin and with a dense pad. Carpeted rooms should be zoned separately to ensure even heating throughout the home.
Most radiant floor manufacturers recommend laminated wood floors instead of solid wood, which reduces the possibility of the wood shrinking and cracking as the wood dries, however there are solid wood flooring manufacturers that do support installation of their products over radiant floor systems, observe the plank width limitations if they have them. It is important to follow recommended installation guidelines on any type of floor covering, but the stable even heat o a radiant system is typically considered a good environment for most floor coverings and an extremely comfortable type of heat for your home.
Interior Decoration
Thinking of incorporating a geothermal energy system into your green home?Geothermal Heat Pumps, the most common use of geothermal energy systems in green homes, use stable ground or water temperatures near the earth’s surface to provide heating, air conditioning, and in most cases, hot water. Because they use the earth's constant temperatures, they are among the most efficient and comfortable (not to mention sustainable) heating and cooling technologies currently available – and are becoming a popular alternative to oil, coal, and gas. With the ability to deliver comfortable heat even on the coldest days, cost effective equipment, and requiring only a small amount of electricity to operate, geothermal systems are a good consideration for a green home.
Three kinds of systems – Open Loop, Closed Loop, and Standing Column Well Systems – circulate water in pipes below the earth, where water is heated, then delivered into the home for use.
Open Loop Systems are the easiest to install, but because of local codes and the amount of ground water available, are not the most popular kind of geothermal system. In this system, ground water from an aquifer is piped directly to a heat pump inside the home. After it leaves the building, the water is pumped back to the same aquifer by a second well, called a discharge well, located a good distance from the first.There are three types of Closed Loop Systems available depending on your site characteristics: horizontal ground, vertical ground, and pond systems.
Horizontal ground closed loop systems: If your site permits and trenches are easy to dig, this may be the best system for you. Backhoes or trenchers are used to dig trenches three to six feet below the ground surface and a series of connected plastic pipes are laid in long loops or in a slinky pattern, depending on the amount of area available. A typical system will be 400 to 600 feet long per ton of heating and/or cooling capacity. This system is easy to install while the home is under construction, but can also be installed as a retrofit to an existing home with minimal site disturbance.
Vertical ground closed loop systems are favorable for sites where yard space is limited or rocky, or for retrofitting projects with the least amount of site disturbance. Vertical holes are bored into the ground between 150 and 450 feet deep. Each hole contains a single loop of pipe with a U at the bottom and a horizontal pipe under the ground near the home which carry fluid to and from the geoexchange system. While these types of systems can be more expensive to install, they require less piping than the horizontal loops.
Pond closed loop systems are very economical if your site is near a lake or pond. Polyethylene piping is run underground to the water source, and then long sections of pipe are submerged under the water. While pond closed loop systems do not have any adverse affects on the water source, experts do recommend using this system only if water levels never drop below six to eight feet at its lowest level for sufficient heat-transfer capability.
Standing Column Well Systems are common in the northeast United States. Standing wells are typically six inches in diameter and as deep as 1500 feet. Temperate water is drawn from the bottom of the well, circulated through the heat exchanger, and returned to the top of the water column. Most of the year, they re-circulate water between the well and the water pump, but during peak temperature months, they can bleed some of the water from the system. This causes the groundwater to make up the flow, cooling the column and the surrounding ground in summer and conversely heats the column and surrounding ground in winter, restoring the well water temperature.
Be sure to discuss your plans to implement a geothermal energy system with your local environmental board, check with local authorities regarding permits, and always use experienced contractors.
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