By Johnny Tubbs / Energy Saving Tips

A geothermal heat pump system is a great way to manage your homes interior climate. However, like any HVAC system, a geothermal climate control solution has both advantages and drawbacks. To help you determine whether or not geothermal is the best solution for you, we will compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal.

The overall cost of a geothermal system is usually seen as the biggest disadvantage when compared to other heating and cooling systems. It requires expensive parts that cause it to cost more than double the amount of other HVAC systems.

Fortunately, geothermal heating and cooling is a sustainable renewable energy resource, so state and federal governments offer tax credits that will offset the cost of the system itself.

The initial installation of a geothermal heat pump system requires experienced installers to lay tubing deep underground. This, among other things, makes geothermal expensive to install.

Due to the fact that geothermal systems alter interior temperatures using the constant temperature of the ground, they dont need to consume energy to alter the temperature of the air that they pump. The long-term savings that result from this go a long way toward counterbalancing the cost of installation. You can expect to make back the cost of initial installation within a few years.

Geothermal heat pumps also last about twice as long as most other HVAC systems.

This benefit alone negates the expense of the initial installation.

Because geothermal is a newer system that requires complicated installation, finding an installer can be difficult. When considering an HVAC company for installation, ask about their experience, as well as references to check before you commit.

Concerned the disadvantages of geothermal outweigh the pros for your home? Let the experts at Conroe Air help you decide. We proudly serve the HVAC and home comfort needs of Montgomery County homeowners. Visit http://www.conroeair.com for more.

Continue reading here:
Weighing the disadvantages of geothermal against the benefits

Little Falls, NJ (PRWEB) February 14, 2014

Many parts of the country have experienced extreme winter weather, with deep freezes, snowstorms, and icy conditions. Mike DeJoseph, owner of Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, Inc. in Little Falls, N.J. said that home generator installations have become more popular during the last couple of years as weather events have become more extreme, taking down power lines, flooding electrical substations, and causing extensive power losses throughout the region.

In the last few years we got hit with Hurricane Irene, a freak October ice-and-snow storm, and Superstorm Sandy, said DeJoseph. Millions of people suffered through the aftermaths of those storms with extended power outages, and the need for alternative power supplies have become more urgent and widespread. Our generator business has really grown in response.

Before last year, DeJoseph said that many people were buying portable generators that run on gas. However, as we saw with Sandy, fuel is not always readily available after a storm. Thats when more customers started asking about automatic standby generators that run on natural gas, he explained.

With rough weather conditions in play throughout the area, DeJoseph cautions homeowners about questions to ask about the installer as well as the generator.

Permits are Required Permanent generators require zoning permits that stipulate the location where generators may be installed. A certified installer will protect the homeowner by performing the required steps involved in choosing and installing the right home generatorand avoid unexpected obstacles problems with the town when its time to sell the home.

Many customers get a rude awakening when they go to sell the house or the equipment breaks down, and they discover they have violated zoning rules and are fined, said DeJoseph.

An installation permit is also required; towns issue these based on several important calculations the installer performs:

About Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, Inc. Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, Inc.,located at 127 Paterson Avenue in Little Falls, New Jersey, serves homes and businesses throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex, and Union counties. A specialist in home and commercial generator installations, the company won three different Angies List Super Service awards in 2013 in recognition of its superior service ratings and reviews in three distinct categories: generator installation and service, heating and air conditioning (fifth year in a row), and sheet metal fabrication and restoration. Its technicians are certified by Generac, the leading manufacturer of generators, to install and service equipment under the Generac label and other brands it produces. Bloomfield Cooling holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and an A rating on Angies List. For more information or a free consultation, contact Mike DeJoseph at (973) 237-0505 or Info(at)BloomfieldCooling(dot)com, or visit http://www.BloomfieldCooling.com. ###

Read this article:
Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric Offers Tips for Homeowners on How to Select Home Generators and Installers to ...

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) February 13, 2014

Phoenix, Arizona Temperatures might be cooler right now, but before too long, it will be the dead of summer again and cooling the home will be a major priority. Air conditioning in Phoenix is one of the best ways to cool a home, but it is not the only option. Its a good thing too: air conditioning is one of the most expensive energy drains on a homeowners budget. As nice as it might feel to walk into a cool home after a long day out in the summer heat, that comfortable coolness will cost a pretty penny.

How can homeowners cool their homes without maxing out on air conditioning costs? There are several options. Remember, these options do not need to be used instead of air conditioning (though thats an option). They are meant to supplement air conditioning to achieve the most efficient cooling in a home.

Ideal Options

First on the list are options for people who are starting from scratch. In an ideal world, homeowners can create their perfect homes with an eye toward saving on cooling costs. They can situate their home on the plot of land at just the right angle to prevent the sun from warming certain rooms too much during the day. They can install state-of-the-art ceiling fans, add tile floors that keep cool, and invest in the most energy efficient air conditioning unit available. They can even choose home dcor items that help keep the house cool. Unfortunately, not everyone has a budget like this or the opportunity to begin their home cooling plans from scratch. What are some of the more practical options to help homeowners avoid overuse of air conditioners?

Insulation

Most people think of insulation as a winter chore. Though it is important for keeping heat in a space, it is also important for keeping a space cool. Every bit of cold air blown from an air conditioner should stay inside of the house. If any is seeping out through holes near the doors and windows or elsewhere, it is creating a less efficient environment. Phoenix homeowner should weather strip the homes to seal doors and windows to keep as much air in as possible when the HVAC system is operating.

It is also important to make sure the ducts are well-insulated. If air is escaping through cracks and seams in the duct system, it might be cooling areas of the home that are not meant to be cooled. For instance, how much air escapes into the super hot attic during the summer when the air conditioning is running? Aeroseal Phoenix can seal the duct system, which can saves hundreds of dollars each year on energy costs.

Fans

Installing fans in the home can also make a big difference. In addition to traditional fans intended to circulate air, ceiling fans can pull warm air up and push cooler air down into the living space. An attic fan is also an efficient way to cool a home. These heavy duty fans create an efficient system of cooling that costs much less than air conditioning.

See more here:
Phoenix A/C Contractor Announces 3 Tips to Help Cool Your Home Without an Air Conditioner

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) February 11, 2014

The 2014 New American home featured Element Building Company as the builder, Jeffery Berkus Architects as the architectural firm and Marc Michaels Interior Design Inc. The NAHB Leading Suppliers Council heads the showcase home. Vendors within the building industry come together to show their latest products and building techniques. This years home also features design concepts including multi-generational living, indoor-outdoor space, earth elemental tones, and energy efficiency.

As the NAHBs official show home, The New American Home is a symbol of energy efficiency and innovation. The home exhibits cutting-edge products from manufacturers all over the world.

TNAH 2014 is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to the Emerald level of the National Green Building Standard. Its energy-efficient features can be used in homes in a hot-dry climate at any price point with similar energy savings. The home is also certified Platinum under the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED for Homes program, the EPA Energy Star program as well as the Indoor airPLUS program.

Two Trails, Inc. worked closely with NCHI to ensure energy efficiency and innovation in TNAH 2014. This home boasts a HERS Index of 22! It is expected to consume 78% less energy than if it were built to code (2009 IECC). At this level of energy efficiency, the home is designed to provide over $2,000 in annual energy savings to the homeowner.

The New American Home achieves a very high level of energy efficiency. The most noteworthy features of TNAH 2014 include the air tightness of its thermal shell and the use of solar energy. Under blower door testing, the thermal shell achieves 2.69 air changes at 50 Pa, an amount that is considered very airtight and keeps unwanted outdoor dry air from entering the home. Open-cell spray foam insulation is used on the inside of walls and underside of the roof deck, as well as around any penetrations, to prevent air leakage.

The home uses solar energy to power a portion of its electrical systems, space conditioning and hot water systems. The 16KW Photovoltaic (PV) system will provide approximately 83% of the annual energy needs for the home. A synchronized system of (4) Rannai natural gas-fueled tankless water heaters satisfies all of the hot water needs. The home also features both Natural Gas and Electric car charging stations in the Garage.

The systems-engineering approach unites segments of the building industry that have previously worked independently of one another.

The concept is simple: systems-engineering can make Americas homes cost effective to build or retrofit and energy efficient to live in. Energy consumption of new houses can be reduced by as much as 30% with little or no impact on the cost of construction. Similar performance can be achieved in existing homes.

To reach this goal, the Element Building team worked with their building partners to produce a home that incorporates energy and material saving strategies from design through construction. First, the team analyzed and selected cost-effective strategies for improving home performance. Next, the team evaluated design, business, and construction practices within individual partnerships to identify cost savings. Cost savings could then be reinvested to improve energy performance and product quality. For example, a design that incorporates new techniques for tightening the building envelope enabled Element Building to install smaller, less expensive heating and cooling systems. The savings generated in this process can then be reinvested in other high-performance features to further reduce energy use.

Originally posted here:
Two Trails Inc. Green Building Consultants for NAHB 2014 New American Home and the 2015 New American Home

From smartphones to smart cars, technology is transforming virtually every aspect of our busy lives. Technologies not only make life easier while on the go, but new options are quickly simplifying life at home as well. Home automation is proving to be a top home improvement trend, making the Jetsons futuristic lifestyle more realistic than ever before.

Some experts are predicting 2014 will be the year of the smart home, but what does that mean to the average homeowner? The term smart home refers to a house with technology and automated features for things like heating, lighting and electronic devices. Automation is becoming the new norm in three main areas of the home.

1. Energy management and environmental impact

A homes heating, cooling and electrical systems can be enhanced through home automation technologies. Boosting comfort levels, these technologies make it easier than ever to monitor energy and water usage, helping to reduce a familys environmental footprint as well as their energy bill.

Imagine turning your lights on remotely or adjusting the heat so your home is toasty warm by the time you return from work. Home management systems like the Iris Comfort and Control Kit let you access and adjust comfort controls from your smartphone, tablet or computer. Monitor and control lights or the thermostat from anywhere with Internet access, making it easy to save energy while away. You can even add water leak detectors to plumbing spaces within the home and receive an alert if the sensor comes in contact with water, helping you to react faster to reduce property damage and water waste.

2. Streamlining the kitchen and cooking processes

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so its no surprise that this area is getting a makeover thanks to technology enhancements. From basic motion-sensing faucets that eliminate the need for touching them with messy hands when cooking to appliances that think for you, the kitchen is a key component of a smart home.

For example, todays dishwashers clean faster and more efficiently than ever, thanks to technology that assesses soil levels and adjusts cleaning intensities. Ovens now come with sensors that evenly heat dishes, eliminating the need to rotate pans or use baking stones. Refrigerators even come with options that allow you to rapidly cool or freeze foods when they need to be brought down to a lower temperature quickly for food safety purposes.

3. Safety and security of a property

Security systems have never been more interactive, and new options are surprisingly affordable for homeowners looking to take the first step toward upgrading to a smart home. The Iris Safe and Secure Kit is an inexpensive option that includes motion sensors, a keypad, and door, window and cabinet sensors. A novice DIYer can install the entire system in about an hour.

See original here:
At Home: 3 ways smart technology is changing the home

Things may soon be heating up at Union City Hall.

The personnel, finance and public works committee Monday is recommending the approval of an approximate $400,000 bid for a new heating and air-conditioning system to replace the current boiler system.

Lakebrink Heating and Air Conditioning submitted the only bid to be the general contractor for the new variable refrigerant flow system.

City Administrator Russel Rost said the new system would replace an antiquated HVAC system installed piecemeal over several years.

It would eliminate a hodgepodge of systems used over the years, he said.

The new system would provide heat in areas that are not temperature controlled now, including the auditorium and the city clerks office.

One of the reasons we selected this system is because it is energy efficient, said Rost. Even with cooling the auditorium, we dont expect to increase our energy costs the energy cost will be a wash even with the addition of the huge amount of volume.

He added that the city clerks office is heated with space heaters.

The variable refrigerant flow system would eliminate the need for natural gas at city hall, Rost said.

Alderman Dustin Bailey questioned if the new system would allow for expansion of city hall.

See the article here:
HVAC System for City Hall Given Nod

Browse Articles & Videos By Category

Lenna Allen

Lenna Allen began her writing career for her college newspaper in 1999. Allen is a marketing specialist and freelance writer for several online publishers including eHow.com. Allen holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication and digital technology from Washington State University.

A ductless heat pump is a great option for homes that don't have a duct work system already installed. This type of system will also be beneficial when a new addition is added to a home, as a ductless system is much easier to install than any other type of heating and cooling option. This type of heat pump is also known as a mini-split heat pump, and its good for efficiently heating and cooling rooms.

Decide where the opening for the conduit will be on the exterior of the home.

Prepare the area for a concrete slab. Make sure the area is clear of shrubbery and other structures. This should be at least one foot away from the exterior of the home, and it should measure at least two feet by four feet. This may be larger, depending on the size of your unit. Ideally, the slab should be at least six inches bigger than the unit on all sides.

Spread gravel over the area that has been cleared.

Prepare and pour the concrete over the gravel. The base should be four inches thick.

Place the unit on the concrete slab with the connectors facing the house.

Make a three inch hole in the exterior of the home, so the wires can be connected to the house. Choose a location nearest to the conduit.

Read more here:
How to Install a Heat Pump in a Ductless System | eHow

Access was reportedly given to help power savings, but network wasn't properly isolated from consumer data

It's said that for every $100 USD spent at retailers via credit card, 5 cents is lost via digital fraud. The holiday hack of Target Corp. (TGT) reminded Americans that this problem was far from solved. And with new details leaking out from the U.S. Secret Service investigation there's cause for concern that the Target data loss could be just the tip of the iceberg in the attack.

I. Wal-Mart, et al. Revealed to be At Risk

The latest twist in the saga surrounding the massive credit card data loss should make other retail/grocery chains, including Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFM), Trader Joe's Comp., and the nation's #3 warehouse retail chain, BJ's Wholesale Club, more than a bit nervous.

According to sources of Washington Post security researcher Brian Krebs -- the first member of the media to catch wind of the breach -- the hackers had a little help from an insecure third-party. They reportedly struck via first compromising servers at an air conditioning business in Sharpsburg, Penn, whom Target used as a contractor. The firm -- Fazio Mechanical Service -- has a flashy portfolio of high-profile clients which includes not only Target and all of the aforementioned retailers/grocers, but a number of other large firms that Mr. Krebs and other early reports have not mentioned.

This latest news emerged after Reuters and The Wall Street Journal quoted Target executives last week as saying that the breach occurred via a compromised third-party contractor. Digging around on Fazio's clients page, which remains active following Mr. Krebs' post, I found that the list of high-profile clients doesn't stop with the three other companies Mr. Krebs mentioned.

It is unclear why Mr. Krebs didn't notice these other even bigger clients, but clearly that discovery illustrates his comments are even more important than they sounded based on his shorter list.

These clients helped Fazio to earn the distinction of being the largest heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) commercial sales and repair company in the western Pennsylvania area. Fazio had service centers in Pennsylvania, as well as outposts in nearby states, including Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

It appears increasingly likely that Mr. Krebs' sources are correct -- there was a breach at Fazio that led to a breach at its client (Target). Fazio President Ross Fazio confirmed that he received a recent visit from the Secret Service in connection to the ongoing Target investigation.

II. Timeline of the Attack Emerges

Read more:
HVAC Firm at Center of Target Data Breach Also Counts Wal-Mart, Costco as Customers

Prince William News

Gainesville Times

"We have no access to natural gas in our neighborhood, so we had oil heat," says Nadig. "The price of oil has gotten extremely high and we found ourselves keeping the thermostat fairly low."

Nadig started to investigate geothermal (or ground-source) heat pump systems to help them stay warm in the winter - without paying a lot of money on their oil bill.

Quickly realizing the energy saving benefits, as well as the environmentally friendly aspects, he opted to install a system from ClimateMaster (www.climatemaster.com/residential).

"The geothermal saves us money and we can keep the house at a nearly constant temperature," says Nadig, whose system went live about a year ago.

Nadig is just one of the many Americans who are replacing conventional oil, natural gas and electricity-based heating and cooling with geothermal heat pump systems, and the demand for these systems is only expected to grow, on a global scale, over the next decade.

"There are more than 1 million of these units in U.S. homes today, which means an increasing number of homeowners are recognizing the benefits of this system in controlling their energy bills for life, and essentially declaring their energy independence," says Raj Hiremath, marketing director at ClimateMaster.

Geothermal, or "geoexchange," systems work on the simple principle of regulating indoor heating or cooling by using the consistently moderate temperatures just below the earth's surface. While outside air temperatures may vary wildly depending on where you live, the ground temperature just a few feet down stays relatively stable.

Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of this by moving heat through water in underground pipes to make it either warmer (in the winter) or cooler (in the summer) inside the home. The result is comfortable year-round indoor temperatures.

See the article here:
Geothermal systems provide energy independence for more homeowners

NEW CUMBERLAND - With security, heating and cooling improvements to the Hancock County Courthouse completed, county officials are turning their attention to a new roof for the courthouse annex.

In January, the county was awarded a $97,600 grant from the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority to replace the roof, insulation and coping on the 1968 annex.

Hancock County commissioners expect to receive official word of the award from WVCFIA Executive Director Melissa Garretson Smith on Thursday. The grant comes at an opportune time for commissioners, who are overseeing a series of capital improvements to the aging courthouse.

"It's great news," Commissioner Dan Greathouse said.

Before the roofing work can begin, however, commissioners will have to solicit bids for an architect to do design work, said Robert Vidas, executive director of the county's Office of Technology and Communications.

Vidas said workers from Kell's Heating & Air Conditioning, of Chester, recently completed work on the courthouse's heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. The project cost came in over the original Kell's bid of $58,320, he said.

The HVAC systems in the old stone courthouse, which dates back to the 1920s, were in need of upgrading because of their age and high maintenance costs. The new system will make heating and cooling more efficient for the section of the courthouse that houses Circuit Court Judge Martin Gaughan's courtroom, the assessor's office and clerk's office, Vidas said.

The county courthouse is actually a two-building complex that includes a three-story annex, completed in 1968, that is connected to the old section via a walkway.

An architectural assessment of the courthouse done by Silling Associates, of Charleston, in 2012 included a recommendation that the HVAC system be overhauled. Commissioners also are addressing other suggested improvements contained in the Silling report, Vidas said.

Probably the most visible improvement is the recent completion of a new security system for the newly redesigned courthouse entrance. Starting Monday, courthouse visitors will have to submit to metal detector screening before they can enter the building.

See the original post:
County eyes additional courthouse improvements