Ground Source Heat Pump Installation

Without carrying out a full building heat loss analysis, and calculating its related energy consumption profile and the hot water requirements of the buildings occupants. You cannot accurately design a ground source heat pump system.

The main problem with many renewable energy installations is, that compared to normal energy systems such as gas/oil or electric, the installed costs are generally much higher, thus meaning the economies of scale are more limited. An oversized Heat pump will spend most of its time running under part load conditions, which can result in a shortening of the equipments lifespan and ultimately affect performance.

Under-sizing can result in a system that requires another heating system to be used, instead of the GSHP during periods of cold weather. This is known as an alternative bivalent system and is not very efficient. A top up system would be required to help the system meet its requirements. Whilst it is in fact fairly normal to have what is known as a parallel bivalent system, where two systems work together during periods of peak loads, the Heat pump will work at maximum output providing the base load of the heating, whilst the other system tops up the temperature levels. It is vitally important to know the buildings and its occupant's energy requirements so that the most energy efficient and therefore cost effective system is designed, as generally the use of non renewable supplementary heating should not exceed 5% of the annual energy requirement.

It's not only the sizing of the heat pump that needs to be considered when designing the system. Different ground conditions will have an affect on the performance of the ground coil or borehole system used to collect heat from the ground. It is widely thought that ground source heat pump systems take their heat from geothermal heat however, this only occurs in a few regions of the UK.

The ground collects solar energy and almost all of the ground heating effect comes from the sun, even up to hundreds of meters below ground level. The type of ground ie, sand/gravel, rock, clay have different levels of heat extraction. Even the moisture levels of the ground will have an effect on the performance and therefore the design of the system.

Without a ground condition survey being carried out one could not even say whether or not a coil system is appropriate. If the ground conditions are such that there is let us say, 1m of topsoil over rock then the cost of the installation will vastly increase.

Resource: Ezine Article

Top Home Improvement Services

Using a top home improvement service is the smartest way to improve your home no matter how small or big the job is. You could just want to add a fence to your property, or looking to build a garage attached to your house. Both of these home improvements can be trusted with a reputable home improvement contractor that is well trained at adding on to existing homes and remodeling rooms inside the home.

Room additions can be tricky when it comes to the carpentry aspect of it so using a license and insured contractor that has a lot of expertise in room additions will save you money and give you a better end product. The process itself will be professional and done as fast as possible. They do not want to leave any room in your home exposed to elements during the addition process, so working fast and closing off the room is very important.

Improving the kitchen of your home can range from just adding new appliances and countertops to totally gutting it, enlarging it, and adding new appliances, cabinets, countertops, and even flooring. Having a home improvement service remodel your kitchen can really make a large difference for the inside of the home. This also provides more usability of the kitchen because in most cases the kitchen is made larger.

A top home improvement contractor will be very experienced at finishing basements and attics alike. Both of the areas can add a lot of usable space in your home. An attic can be perfect for a private den, a loft area for the kids, or even a home office. The possibilities that you can work with when finishing a basement are never ending. You can add a theater room, bedrooms, a wet bar, a wine cellar, and the list goes on. This is a very popular choice for people that want a lot more space out of their home because it is generally cheap per square foot to finish a basement and add a lot of square feet of living space in the process.

Home improvement services can include a lot of repair work as well as remodeling work. Having a new roof installed is a popular option to make sure all the shingles are accounted for on the roof to prevent leaks. Fixing the siding of a house or updating it can also really help with upholding the value and integrity of your home. Remodeling and improving your home can go along with any budget or can fit any want or need from the homeowner as long as they choose a professional company that offers things like free estimates and has very experienced employees that do all the work with quality in mind.

Resource: Ezine Article

3 Services your House Mover Should Provide

House moving is a huge project that comprises of many services associated with it. This post will go over a few common services that a house mover should and in some cases must provide in order to properly conduct a move. People who are considering moving their house will find the information very useful.

1.    House Moving Estimate

Not all homes are movable. There are numerous structural integrity tests that must be conducted in order to determine if a move is likely. All data is collected and thoroughly analyzed. Armed with that information, a house mover will be able to provide definitely answers about the move along with the costs.

2.    House Raising

Naturally for any house to be moved, it must first be raised. This requires careful planning and a good application of skill and machinery. There is a lot of physics involved in this moving service. With the proper application of strength in the form of heavy duty equipment operated by skilled labor, any house regarding of size can be raised.

3.    House Raising and Repositioning

House moving can be very simple at times especially when all that is needed is a simple repositioning. The process involves raising the foundation of a home and then repositioning it to the desired angle.
These are three common services that are offered by every company in the structural moving industry. As always it is best to do sufficient research about the company and its previous projects before deciding on which company to assign the job.
 




Resource: Illinois House Mover

The Best Heat Pump for You

With the prices of utilities spiraling sky high, you would definitely want to check that you have the best heat pump possible. If you choose the right heat pump, you will be able to cut up to thirty percent from your current heating bill, definitely not a sum to be snubbed. What a heat pump does is transfer heat from one source then move it to your home. Hot air inside the house can be moved to another room if wished. Just being able to maintain the temperature of the home makes it a terrific investment for any homeowner.

Which one is right for your home? Pumps come in many sizes and it's important to choose one in the right size for the room. To compute which one you should get, every 400 square feet of space that is lived in needs a ton to heat the area properly. If the house is properly insulated and has double-glazed windows, then a smaller size heater could be used. A good option is to purchase a heater with variable capacity controls. These will allow the system to adjust to required temperatures, keeping heat in living areas and not heating up unused areas. Apart from saving money over the time it is used, these heaters are much quieter than those that require the blowers running at full all the time.

An air source heat pump is double duty: it can heat the home and cool it as needed. The only problems are its noise while operating and it frosting up when in the winter. A ground source heat pump needs to be buried, since it extracts heat from underground. While expensive and hard to install, these are silent and don't have frost problems. Keep your heat pump in good working order by cleaning and periodically replacing the air filter, at the most every two months. Check in between to see if the filters need cleaning. Have it serviced as the manufacturer recommends. Be sure that the area around the pump is kept clear. Any shrubs or vines, snow, even just leaves and grass, can impair the air flow. Air registers should be clear and open as well - make sure that no furniture or covers are in front of them.

Resource: Ezin Article

Different Types of Building Materials and Their Characteristics

Any material which is used in construction of residential or commercial buildings is dubbed as building material. The choice of building material depends on the size and nature of building, its design, intended purposes, availability of resources and location. Usually building materials are classified as natural and synthetic materials (where natural materials have minimal or no human intervention in the production and synthetic materials are mostly made by humans). Let's read about some of the most commonly used building materials all over the world.

Rock:

Easily, one of the most solid and durable material used in constructions, the durability is palpable by existence of several centuries old historical buildings made of stone. However, the weight and hardiness that makes the buildings hard-wearing becomes a drawback when it comes to portability and molding. In addition to that, using rock as the primary building material is a bad choice because it stores energy, leaving the inhabitants vulnerable to extreme weather conditions in summer and winters.

Mud & Clay:

Mud and clay are the most commonly used materials in residential buildings. Not as long lasting as rock but far from being fragile. Buildings made primarily of mud and clay can easily endure many years. Using mud and clay in buildings is a very good option for warm places, as it keeps the building reasonably cool even in scorching heat.

Concrete:

Concrete is made by mixing cement, sand, gravel and water, while the structures are made using steel bars. Concrete is another material known for its durability and is on a par with rock when it comes to longevity. At the same time, it is more convenient to use as far as portability and molding is concerned.

Metals & Wood:

Probably the oldest type of building materials is wood. Humans have been using tree logs and other parts of plants to build homes, for ages. Wood obtained from certain plants is quite durable, however low quality wood is open to many extremities. These days wood is mostly used for making cabinets, furniture or wardrobes. Different kinds of materials are put into use for modern structures, with steel being the most common one. Unlike rock it is flexible, while offering the similar level of durability.

Glass & Plastic:

Glass is normally used in doors and windows and occasionally in walls or roofs. Unlike other building materials, glass allows the light to go through, allowing you to make good use of daylight. Plastic is a light, flexible substance, used mostly for piping in buildings.

Resource: Ezine Article