What to Know About Geothermal Heating Systems?

When it comes to choosing systems for heating and cooling purposes, consumers are flooded with choices. One option is right below your feet – taking advantage of earth’s consistent underground temperature nearly 30 feet below the earth surface.

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are also known as ground source heat pumps. They can heat, cool and even supply hot water to a home by transferring heat to or from the group. The geothermal heating systems have been keeping consumers comfortable for over 50 years and can reduce energy bills by up to 65% as compared to traditionally available HVAC units.

So, if you’re investing in a GHP system for your home or business, here are a few important things you should know beforehand:

Useful in any climate –

Geothermal heat pumps can be able to operate in any climate – both hot and cold with the earth’s consistent ground temperature that ranges from 45° to 75° F depending on the location. However, millions of geothermal heat pumps are heating and cooling homes and businesses from all around the world including the all 50 US states.

Open and closed loop systems –

You have several options to choose from, when it comes to considering geothermal heating systems including closed or open loop designs. Around 85% of GHPs in the United States makes the use of ground heat exchangers for fluid circulation by using a closed loop design.

The pipes in these systems are generally made of plastic tubing and are horizontally buried up to 6 feet deep or vertically up to 600 feet deep. The ground heat exchanger design can differ depending on the climate, soil condition, land availability, ground water accessibility or the surface water bodies and local on-site installation costs.

Durability –

Geothermal heating systems are considered as the long term investment. They are specifically built to last for long and have extremely long life spans than others. The GHP indoor components i.e. the heat pump, are expected to get around 25 years and the ground loops have 50 plus years life.

Though the cost of installation can be around several times more expensive, GHPs are about 65% more efficient than the traditionally designed HVAC units. They can pay back themselves over time in terms of energy savings, which is typically within 10 years.

Reduce the peak electricity demands and carbon emissions 

As discussed above, the GHPs are more efficient systems than traditional HVACs and can help you lessen the load on the electric grid. This is really helpful during summer for peak demands. Additionally, they can help you minimize the carbon emissions because of their higher efficiency.

So, what’s next? 

Now seas are rising, global heat records are falling and the storms are becoming more and more devastating day by day. The reality of climate change has been never clearer. Thee clean energy solutions like wind and solar energy are getting more competitive, batteries getting better and buildings as well as technologies becoming more efficient every year.

Are you interested in taking the next step? Prepared enough to make a great difference for the future of your planet? Contact 123 Zero Energy today and let us help you plan through the geothermal heating systems!

Why Do You Buy Northern Lights Solar Water Heating Kit for Home?

Are you looking for a perfect way to use solar energy? What better way to do it than solar water heaters? Using advanced vacuum tube collectors, a solar heating system can operate in minus 40 temperatures.

The Northern Lights solar water heaters utilize a special glycol heating fluid that can work well in arctic temperatures and even high temperatures of up to 480F. The solar collectors capture the heat that move into a solar water tank which features an internal heat exchanger, present at the bottom of the tank.

The heat energy is transferred indirectly to the house for using hot water. If the water remains unused, it will be stored in the highly insulated tank. A solar differential controller and a pump properly control the entire heating loop. The controller helps in maximizing your system performance while turning on or shutting down the pump when required.

Buying Solar Water Heater for Domestic Use

The Northern Lights solar water heating system comes with a 4.5 KW backup heating element, which is present in the middle of the storage tank. This will allow the tank to deliver hot water even when the sun is not shining.

When it comes to buying this solar water heater, please remember that every home is unique and its requirements. You should consider the size of your house, the surrounding climate condition and its insulation value while choosing a right solar heater.

The larger solar water heating system needs more storage. If you live in the Northern climates, it’s highly recommended to have a 1 x 30 tube vacuum collector for every 300 square feet. When you buy solar water heater in warmer climates, you should consider 1 x 20 tube vacuum collector for every 400 square feet.

The size of storage tank depends on the number of solar collectors. Most storage tanks are available in sizes like 50, 80, and 119 gallons. If you have larger homes, you should add multiple storage tanks and run them in parallel fashion. It’s recommended to have minimum 40 gallons per 30 tube collectors; therefore a three collectors system will need storage of 120 gallons.

The Special Features of Solar Water Heaters

• 1” NPT connections
• Two magnesium anodes and factory-installed brass drain valve
• Internal temperature probes for top and bottom tank temperature
• Factory-installed T&P valve precision-manufactured tank, made from superior-quality steel offering enormous strength and durability assurance
• 2” Non-CFC zero ozone depleting foam insulation
• 4.5 KW electric element with temperature control ability
• G-Glass porcelain fused to steel, impervious to caustics and chlorine, the perfect water vessel

Bottom Line –

If you want to know more about the operation and working principle of solar water heaters, please contact 123 Zero Energy at +1-800-317-9054. We will get back to you as soon as possible and rest assured that you’ll have a superior-quality purchase for your home!