October 10, 2008

Solar Hot Water Systems

Solar hot water heating systems are a great tool for conserving energy and significantly reducing your energy bill.Contrary to popular belief, solar hot water heating is not at all a new technology. Solar water heating systems have been used commercially for over a century now, with the first commercial water heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale in 1891 in the United States. By the year 1900, over 1600 houses in California were equipped with this solar water heater.Due to its low cost and its effectiveness, solar hot water heating gained popularity until, by 1941, more than half the population of Florida was getting its hot water through solar water heaters!Solar hot water heating only lost its popularity due to lowered electricity rates, along with an aggressive campaign by Florida Power and Light, to increase electrical consumption. This was done by offering electric water heaters at bargain prices. Thus Florida’s solar water heating was brought to halt.The United States is not the only country with a solar water heating history. There are many other countries where solar hot water heating was once used, and has since fallen out of use - but not all of them. In fact, there are currently more than ten million Japanese households which heat their water using solar heating systems. This is definite proof that it is a workable technology.Important Facts about Solar Hot Water Heating Systems* Solar water heating can be used in any climate. Sound unbelievable? Check it out on the U.S. Department of Energy website. They say so as well.* The fuel used to run a solar water heater is sunshine. And, at the time of this writing, sunshine is still free - no tax has been added yet.* A solar hot water heater can reduce your water heating bill by fifty to eighty percent. But with energy prices going up, the amount of savings (as compared to normal prices) will soon be even higher.* Aside from reducing your energy bill right now, a solar water heating system will protect you from future energy price increases. Your heating will no longer rely on fossil fuels for electricity.* When building a new home, or when refinancing, the economic aspect of this becomes even more interesting.You can, for instance, include the cost of a solar water heater with a new thirty-year mortgage package. This would usually add up to about $13.00 -$20.00 a month. Federal income tax deductions for mortgage interest would reduce the payment for the solar water heater by about $3.00 -$5.00 per month.If your fuel savings with a solar water heating system is $15.00 or more per month (which it likely will be) you will have reduced your monthly heating bill right then and there.* Solar hot water heating will significantly reduce your carbon footprint. It will reduce the use of fossil fuels which pollute the environment.* Solar heaters can be installed in combination with backup systems. In fact, you could install a solar water heater next to your existing system and make it possible switch to conventional water heating whenever necessary. This way you are guaranteed to always have hot water.-Types of Solar Hot Water Heating SystemsThere are two types of solar water heating systems, active solar water heating systems and passive solar water heating systems. They both work on the same principles.The only difference is that active systems have a pump or other mechanical means of moving the water through the solar heating systems, and passive systems rely on nature’s principles: warm water rises to the top, and cold water sinks to the bottom. With a passive solar water heating system, the water storage tank must therefore always be positioned above the solar water heater collector.- Active Solar Hot Water HeatingThere are two main designs of active water heating systems. Which one is best for you depends on the type of climate you live in.There is what’s called an “indirect circulation system” which uses a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid to transfer heat from the collector to a heat exchanger (a device used to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to the water in your storage tank). This is good for colder climates.There is also the direct circulation system, in which case water is simply passed through solar heat collector and is then routed to the water storage tank for use. This system works fine in milder climates.- Passive Solar Hot Water HeatingPassive solar water heating systems are usually cheaper than “active solar water heating systems,” as they do not need controls or pumps to circulate the water.But generally, they are not as effective as the active systems. If you live in a warm climate, a passive water heating system may be all you need. Passive water heating systems are also known for being very reliable.Essentially, solar hot water heating systems consist of a water storage tank and its solar collectors. The solar collectors are used to collect solar energy (which heats water), and the tanks store the heated water. That’s all there is to it.—To learn the important facts to consider when getting a solar hot water heater, and where to get good quality solar hot water heaters, visit Solar Hot Water.

Full Article At: KnowHow-Now.com Articles

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October 4, 2008

Ductless Split Air conditioner – Advantages Of Using Ductless Air Conditioning

Ductless split air conditioners have been manufactured and used in Japan for many years and it has been recently introduced in other countries also. They are mainly used in multi family houses, schools, office buildings, restaurants, cinema theaters and auditoriums.

The Ductless split air conditioners also commonly known as “mini-splits” like the central systems have two units – an air handling unit which includes a fan and an evaporator and a compressor.

The compressor and the condenser comprise one unit and are placed outside the house. The fan and the evaporator unit are placed in the room that has to be cooled. These both units are combined using a conduit that has the power cable, drain and the tubing.

These split air conditioner systems have several advantages and limitations. The advantages are that it can be easily installed i.e. we need not make any ducts on the walls, the operation of the air conditioner´s compressor doesn´t produce much noise and it gives a quiet environment.

These systems provide zone cooling facility and help in energy saving using the thermostat that helps in controlling the zones independently. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency ratio of the Ductless split air conditioning systems are in the range 10.0 and 11.5.

They also provide a wide range of options for the interior designing. They also help in making the building safe and secure from the robbers and intruders.

The major disadvantage of these ductless split air conditioner systems is the cost of the system. There are priced in the range of 1500$ to 2000$ per ton which is nearly twice the price of the window systems.

These systems can´t be installed at any random place. We have to choose a proper location for placing the air handling unit. If it is not positioned at a proper place or if doesn´t have a proper size, there are possibilities of the air bouncing between the walls resulting in a short cycle of the air and we won´t have good cooling effect and lot of energy will also be wasted in this case.

These systems should also have proper facility to drain the condensate else it would lead to staining the building walls.

Discover the advantages of using ductless air conditioning and where you can buy cheap ductless air conditioner. Visit http://www.airconditioningfilters.net for more information.

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September 29, 2008

American Standard Air Conditioner – Why It Is The Best American Air Conditioner

The American standard air conditioner is one of the leading brands of air conditioners that are available in the market. The American brand air conditioner is well known for its top notch quality and service.

The air conditioner from the American standard company is very reliable and comfortable to the customers. There are several advantages in buying an American standard air conditioner. One of the major advantages is the fact that it lets the customer stay cool and it also helps in saving a lot of money with his efficient usage of current.

There are several American standard models available on the market. These models vary with respect to the SEER value. SEER is nothing but the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is the ratio or the rating that is used to measure the efficiency of cooling factor of a specific heat pump or an air conditioner.

If the seasonal energy efficiency ratio is higher then the efficiency of the air conditioner is also higher and vice versa. So it is always better to buy an air conditioner with a higher SEER value.

The American standard air conditioner ranges in the efficiency factor from the SEER value of 13 to the SEER value of more than 18. This SEER value for the American brand air conditioner is among the best that is available in the market. The American standard air conditioner has the highest rating for efficiency in the air conditioner industry.

Because of this factor a lot of customers usually buy the American standard. There are several choices to choose from. One of the best models is the allegiance American standard air conditioners. If you want the best, I recommend getting the Allergiance 18 which has maximum efficiency and cooling.

There are so many choices are comfort that is available to the customer to choose from. There are several technological factors also that come in to consideration while buying the air conditioning unit.

The American standard air conditioner gives you the comfort of cooling that the customer always looks for in his home. It is thus a very effective air conditioner unit with the latest technologies.

Learn where to buy cheap american standard air conditioner online. Also visit my site to learn more about the best cheap portable air conditioners.

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