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Heating And Cooling With Geothermal Heat Pumps

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The term geothermal literally means Earth/Ground (Geo) Heat (thermal). Geothermal, or ground source heat pumps, take advantage of the constant ground or groundwater temperatures. These heat pumps use geothermal energy to heat and/or cool your home.


A refrigerant loop with a compressor extracts heat from one side (the ground) and pumps it to the heating loop in your home. It is essentially the same process that happens in your refrigerator: heat is extracted via a compressor and refrigerant loop from the inside of your refrigerator/freezer and rejected into your house.


In the summer the geothermal heat pump reverses its cycle, if you have an air-conditioning system, and heat from the home is rejected into the ground or ground water.


What makes geothermal heat pumps such a good choice for residential heating and cooling is that they do not depend on outside air temperatures. These heat pumps will heat your home as efficiently on a windy, zero-degree winter day as on a 40-degree day. Provided of course, that your house is well insulated and tight.


Geothermal heat pumps are also a very efficient way for heating and cooling your home. They use 25-50% less energy than conventional heating and cooling systems (Source: US DOE).


Residential applications of geothermal energy systems use water-to-water or water-to-air heat pumps.


Water-to-Water Geothermal Heat Pumps


Water-to-water geothermal heat pumps are generally used for heating only. They replace the gas or oil furnace that you might currently have to heat your home and water with.


It is important to know that heat pumps work most effectively when the temperature difference between the heat source (ground) and heat sink (floor heat or radiators) is small.


Ground temperatures range anywhere from 50 to 75 degF, depending on where you live. This means that geothermal heat pumps are generally not suitable for standard hot water baseboard applications, which are designed for heating water temperatures of 180 degF. Floor heat and low-temperature radiators require water temperatures in the range of 95 to 140 degF.


Some newer heat pump models are now equipped with so-called desuperheaters that can transfer excess heat from the geothermal heat pump compressor to the domestic water heater. Your geothermal heat pump can also effectively and quickly heat water for your bathtub, shower and sinks.


Water-To-Air Geothermal Heat Pumps


These types of ground source heat pumps are generally used when you need air conditioning. The Water is the heat sink, where you reject the heat from the house. The Air is the air that is distributed through your home via ductwork.


Otherwise, these heat pumps function the same way as water-to-water heat pumps. And again, the efficiency of a geothermal heating and cooling system is far better than that of a traditional system.


Important To Know


The first step towards making a geothermal heat pump system be a reliable and efficient heating (and cooling) system for your home is to minimize the heating and cooling requirements with a well-insulated building envelope and strategically placed windows for passive solar gain.


Not only is your first cost reduced, because your system will be smaller. You will also tremendously increase the comfort of your home.


Geothermal heat pump systems are best designed and installed by professionals. It is not recommended to DIY. These systems must meet specific requirements. Especially the piping laid out in the ground, or down to the ground water table, must be designed and installed correctly to ensure that your geothermal heat pump system works as intended.

heating cooling energy star fireplaces buffalo NY

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I’m Barry, the ENERGY STAR consultant at Complete Heat in Western New York. The HOME PERFORMANCE with ENERGY STAR program has set the standard for making existing 1 to 4 family homes healthier, safer and more energy efficient.

The first step in understanding what your home needs to be more efficient Is to perform a home energy audit. First, A reputable contractor will take time and sit down with you with you and help you identify with your home’s current energy issues. They will address concerns like high energy bills, icicles in the winter, mold or un-even temperatures throughout the house.

After this conversation, your home will be inspected and tested inside and out, including, insulation, windows, heating and air conditioning equipment, lighting and appliances, to identify specific improvements that will best provide your solutions. They will also check for gas leaks and the safe operation of all gas burning appliances. The information from this inspection is analyzed and presented to you in a comprehensive written report that will illustrate what should be addressed. They will then show you how to participate in grant programs, apply for rebates from manufacturers, qualify for tax credits and incentives and take advantage of low interest or even no interest financing programs.

Each home’s solution is different; and the contractor you choose should be professional and comprehensive. Cookie cutter plans and short answers are not going to serve you or your home well. Choose a contractor that makes you feel comfortable and is willing to take the time to help you make the right decision.

I know this, because that’s how we do business at Complete Heat in Western New York. http://www.completeheat.com 716-681-3800

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http://www.completeheat.com

heating cooling buffalo, Carrier air conditioning

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This is Glenn, the operations manager at Complete Heat in Western New York. Let me explain what to expect after the sale. At least this is the way we do it.

I’m here to tell you what you can expect once you decide on a new comfort system. Normally a furnace or air conditioning installation can be up and running within 8 hours of the technicians arrival.

With that in mind we’ll set up a date that works best.

When the day come for your install you can rest assured that a reputable heating and cooling contractor will only send experienced and NATE certified mechanics and technicians to your home. This is one of the things that distinguishes a professional installation from shoddy one.

Customers often have special requests that range from concern for their carpeting to dealing with their pets while the installation is being completed. Again, a highly regarded company will be most accommodating, because they wouldn’t be in business with you you. So, it is important that when you are looking to purchase a furnace or air conditioning system you choose to buy it from a solid highly regarded company.

No matter where you are in the country remember that to a dependable dealer and installer every job is special and we want to do it right.

How do I know this? Because that’s how we do business at Complete Heat in Western New York.

At Complete Heat, we sell, and services all brands including Carrier. Whether you’re looking for air conditioning, a HVAC contractor, heating, cooling, furnace, fireplace, or emergency generator Complete Heat is the place to go in Buffalo and Western New York.

Check out our videos

http://www.completeheat.com

Radiant Floor Heating ? A Cost Effective Green Alternative That Works

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Picture yourself waking up on a chilly morning. Instead of reaching for the slippers, you are able to place your feet on a warm carpeted floor. With every step, the warmth remains constant, radiating up into the room to warm the air and environment. This scenario can be possible with radiant floor heating. These specially designed adhesive mats with protected heating cables can be installed under any type of flooring to produce a clean efficient method to heat the home. This can be use as a primary or secondary source of heat. Not only is it energy efficient, but it reduces air-borne allergens that can be transferred through a duct heating system.

There are two types of radiant floor heating mats that can be used in the home. One type of mat is called the Quickmat. This is a self adhesive mat made from quality materials that is used under tile or stone flooring. Another type of mat is called the NetMat. This is used under carpet or wood and can also be used in floor joists. Each room has its own programmable thermostat. This adds to energy savings by being able to turn down rooms that are not being used. The cost of using a mat is equal to the amount of energy used by one light bulb.

Radiant floor heating can be used in kitchens, bathrooms basements and garages. There is even a snow melting mat that can be used under the walkway. The heat from this mat will melt snow and ice, making the walkway safe again in the winter. The value of radiant floor heating cannot be underestimated. The low cost and ease of installation also make floor heating the perfect solution for remodeling needs. Expensive energy depleting heat sources can be replaced with energy saving “Green” sources, saving on money while improving the environment.

Radiant electric floor heating can not only dramatically reduce heating bills, but will also add to the value of the home. Everyone looks to the future for cost effective solutions that can save money and resources. Radiant floor heating is one such resource. When buying a home, energy expense can be a determining factor. The affordability and warmth provided by this method would be an important investment for the new home buyer. Just walking onto a warm heated floor instead of a cold drafty room would make anyone want to own or install the radiant floor heating system.

Radiant Floor Heating Mats Are An Exceptional Option For Your Home

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Just imagine…you are walking up on a chilled morning…rather than going in for your slippers you place your feet on a warm floor. With each step, the warmth remains the same…wow it’s simply great to imagine! But how’s that possible? Do you have any idea? Well, with radiant floor heating nothing is impossible. Radiant floor heating are specifically designed adhesive mats that come with protected heating cables and you can install it under any kind of flooring. In simple words, it has turned out to be a clean and efficient method for heating your home. You can use this as a secondary or primary source of heat. In addition to being energy efficient, it also lowers air borne allergens which can be transferred via a duct heating system.
There are two kinds of radiant floor heating mats that you can use in your home. The first type is known as the Quickmat and is defined as a self adhesive mat manufactured from quality materials. This sort of a mat is preferred over stone flooring or under tile flooring. The second type of mat is referred to as the NetMat and you can use it under wood or carpet. You can also use it in floor joists. Both these radiant floor heating mats give a new look to your house. Each room has its personal programmable thermostat. This is an energy saving option…the expenses of using a mat is somewhat equal to the amount of energy that’s utilized with a one light bulb.
You can use radiant floor heating in bathrooms, kitchens, garages as well as basements. You can even go in for a snow melting mat that can be used under any walkway. The heat derived from this mat will melt ice and snow, thereby making the walkway safe for winter. Underestimating the value of a radiant floor heating is in itself demeaning. The ease of installation and low cost also make floor heating the best solution for home remodeling needs.
You can replace classy energy depleting heat sources with energy saving and cost effective sources. In fact, this can be defined as the right option through which you can save money without affecting your environment.
With radiant electric floor heating you are sure to lower your heating bills as well as add value to your house. Each one of us is in hunt of cost effective and efficient solutions that can help us save resources as well as money and radiant floor heating has turned out to be one such solution. When it comes to purchasing a home, energy expense turns out to be a major factor. However, the good news is that this method is far more affordable and not to mention worth the investment. Well, now that you have you have come to know about the radiant floor heating mats, you can bring home one. After all who wouldn’t like to walk into a warm heated floor rather than going in for a cold drafty room! Just go ahead and install a radiant floor heating system.