Solar Power, Geothermal Heating, Solar Water Heater PA and NJ | Blog - Smith Sustainable Design

Maintenance for your solar water heating system

1/30/2015

Maintenance for your solar water heating system

Maintenance is a very important factor to make your solar water heating system effective and long lasting. It is very important to keep a check on the maintenance of your solar water heating system, so it may sustain its efficiency for a long period of time. We will discuss some maintenance tips in this post to make it possible for you to get the maximum out of your solar water heating system.

Cleaning is the simplest and important way to keep your solar water heating system in good working conditions. You will be required to clean solar heat panels sometimes to make their surface clear to collect maximum sunlight.

Make sure that all parts of the system are intact. Repair or replace if the glass cover and outer seals of the solar heat panels have cracks or any other damage.

Make sure that your solar water heating system are perfectly secured to your structure. Check the nuts and bolts, to see if they are properly fastened to the solar heat panels and your roof.

Most types of solar heat panels use a safety valve which regulates the pressure of water. Make sure that the pressure relief valve is working. You can easily examine the working of a valve. Release the valve to let the fluid flow, if it doesn’t then replace the valve. Never forget to close the valve after inspection. It is recommended by many manufacturers of solar water heating system to check the functioning of valves every six months.

Maintenance of the solar hot water pumps are very important for the steady working of a solar water heating systems. Examine the working of the hot water pumps during the peak sunlight hours to check if it works properly. If the pump doesn’t circulate the water, it means some of the parts of the pump are not working and require repair or replacement.

Flush your system occasionally to keep it clean and free of any settled sediments in the tank. In order to clean your storage tank attach a water hose to the drain valve of the tank. Flush the storage tank until all settled sediments at the bottom of storage tank flow out. Repeat the process of flushing at least two times in a year.

If you are looking for more information about the maintenance of any type of solar water heating system, you can contact Smith Sustainable Design. We can guide you how to make your residential solar water heating system work effectively for a longer time.

Protect your yard during geothermal heating and cooling system installation

1/30/2015

Protect your yard during geothermal heating and cooling system installation

In order to install the earth loop and ground source heat pump, geothermal heating and cooling system requires a considerable space in your yard. Because the installation of this system involves digging in your yard, some homeowners are concerned about the protection of their yards during the installation process. Before you consider a geothermal heating and cooling system for your home, you should have an idea how the installations can affect your yard. The information below may help you with your concerns about damaging in your yard.

Due to the installations of a geothermal heating and cooling system your yard will be affected somehow. There can be tire tracks in result of heavy moving machinery used in the drilling process in your yard. It depends upon some natural elements whether your yard will sustain damage or not. Muddy condition due to the water or runoff can cause deeper tire tracks and untidiness in your yard. If the ground is dry, it may cause less damage due to the heavy moving equipment.

Smith Sustainable Design help you keep the negative effects minimum while installing geothermal heating system for your home. Our team of experts evaluate the condition of your soil and other factors affecting the installation process. The purpose is to help in the design of a geothermal heating and cooling system and to install it in all conditions.

We cannot control the natural impacts, but we can decide appropriate location and design of a geothermal heating and cooling system to minimize the negative effects. Horizontal earth loop damages more area in your yard because they are aligned horizontally under the ground. Vertical earth loop however occupies lesser space but requires deep digging. No matter which design you use without digging you cannot install any earth loops.

If you want a geothermal heating and cooling system for your home, it is preferred to rely on us. Effects to your yard will disappear in a short time after the installation of geothermal heating and cooling system. You will see no changes in your yard as soon as the grass grows. Smith Sustainable Design makes sure to reduce the negative effects and protect the areas in your yard you do not want to be damaged. Geothermal heating system recovers landscaping issues in a short time after the installation and provides long lasting and energy efficient way of cooling and heating your home.

Types of Solar Electric Systems

1/30/2015

Types of Solar Electric Systems

Solar panels are the most prominent components of a solar electric system however they are not the only part of a system that people should consider. Along with PV modules some other components of a solar system include inverters, batteries, and charge controllers. Different components are required depending on the type of a solar system you use.

Solar electric systems are of different sizes and types depending upon environmental conditions, surroundings, energy need and other factors. This post discusses brief introduction of different types of solar electric system designs.

Photovoltaic Direct Systems

The simplest type of electric solar energy system is Photovoltaic Direct System. The major component of direct system is photovoltaic panels, there are no batteries and other outside power sources attached. Due to the absence of batteries, the direct system doesn’t store electric power and produces electricity only when the sun is out. This system is good only if you want energy to power few applications of your home especially during the day time.

Off-Grid Systems

Off-Grid system is an independently working solar electric system which converts sunlight into DC electricity. It also stores DC electric power into batteries attached to it so it can be used to power DC appliances at any time of the day. As the name indicates the off-grid system does not require any source of electricity (the grid) so it is more suitable for remote areas. Adding an inverter in off-grid system makes it capable of converting DC electricity into AC electricity. There are some other components of off-grid system used to prevent overcharge and protect the battery.

Grid Tied System

Grid-tied system attaches to the power grid of your home sharing the energy load and reducing electricity bills. With the help of an inverter, grid-tied system converts DC electricity into AC electricity that adds into the power line of your home. It is the most common solar energy system that people prefer to install in their homes. It pulls the electricity from the grid when required and pushes it back when the energy need fulfills by the electricity produced by solar panels. It is one of the best solar power systems because it not only reduces your electricity bills but also totally eliminates it sometimes.

There is no battery to store additional electricity produced by grid-tied system. However, there are some types of grid-tied systems that include battery backup and work on the same principle as simple grid-tied systems do.

We help you decide which solar power system is the best fit for your power requirements and how. If you are planning to install solar energy system for your home contact Smith Sustainable Design for the expert’s opinion and experienced assistance in any part of PA and NJ.

Types of solar thermal systems

1/28/2015

Types of solar thermal systems

Energy from the sun can be utilized to meet your hot water needs with the help of highly energy efficient solar hot water systems. There are different types of solar hot water systems designed for different applications. Let’s discuss the types and working of the variety of solar hot water systems.

Passive Solar Water Heaters

Passive solar water heaters are the most simple and affordable design of solar hot water systems. Their efficiency is not comparable to active solar hot water systems, but they are inexpensive, reliable and long-lasting. This system also requires considerably less maintenance as compared to the other available designs. The passive system does not need moving parts to circulate water which makes it less expensive and maintenance free. There are two types of passive solar water heaters.

1.       Batch systems

2.       Thermosyphon systems

A batch system or integral collector storage system is suitable in conditions where temperature does not fall below freezing point. This system can meet your hot water needs in a day time and also during the evening peak hours. The storage capacity of a batch system is about 20 to 40 gallons of hot water per day.

In thermosyphon systems, an insulated water storage tank is used in combination with flat plate solar collectors. This type of solar hot water systems is also appropriate in climate where temperature rarely drops below freezing. Thermosyphon systems meet your hot water needs providing 30 to 80 gallons of hot water every day.

Active Solar Water Heaters

A pump is used in active solar hot water heaters to circulate the hot water within the system. This addition of pumps makes it more expensive than passive solar water heaters. This system also protects the collectors and tank from freezing. Active water heater systems also have two types.

1.       Open loop systems

2.       Closed loop systems

Open loop systems or direct circulation systems are appropriate in the warm climate, where temperate often remains above freezing. In this system, you can receive 40 to 80 gallons each day for your household hot water needs.

Closed loop systems or indirect circulation systems are suitable in freezing temperatures. The hot water capacity for this systems is also large. You can get 40 to 120 gallons of water every day to meet your hot water requirements.

All the types of solar hot water heaters are reliable and productive. Smith Sustainable Design takes great care of all factors required to be considered in planting solar hot water heaters. We guide you to decide suitable type of system design which serves you the best. We design energy efficient solar hot water system to make you comfortable about hot water needs throughout the year.

Ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps

1/28/2015

Ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps

Ground source heat pump systems utilizes heat energy from the earth to keep your home warm. One important component of geothermal heating systems is a heat pump that regulates temperature distribution in your home. Heat pumps can be of different types, but the one used in geothermal heating systems is ground source heat pump which uses earth as a heat source. Air source heat pump is one of the other types of heat pumps, works similarly to ground source heat pump, but uses air as a heat source. It is important to understand the working of ground source and air source heat pumps to get an idea about the differences between both heat sources.

Heating

Ground source heat pumps are used in geothermal heating systems. Ground source heat pumps use earth’s energy in the form of heat. Heat energy circulates in the earth loop and warms the indoors. The name of the pump indicates that it uses ground or earth as a heat source. The earth absorbs a lot of heat energy from the sun and interior of the earth is a constant temperature. This temperature within the earth remains stable throughout the year and can be used to keep your structure warm regardless of low outdoor temperatures. We install ground source heat pumps inside the home to keep it protected from the severe cold weather of New Jersey.

Air source heat pump consumes heat from the atmosphere to keep your building heated. Air in the atmosphere contains energy in the form of heat that can be used to warm indoors. The question is how can air source heat pumps maintain warm temperatures indoors when outdoor atmosphere is cold. The largest heat source, sun, is always giving heat energy to the air however the intensity of heat can vary because of the weather conditions. This means that heat can be extracted from the air in every season, but its quantity may not achieve the purpose of heating during the cold. The temperatures in winters can get extremely low in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and can stop air source heat pump from providing enough energy that you need to warm your place. So you will need an extra heat source to meet your heating requirements in the winters.

Cooling

Ground source heat pumps also work to provide cooling indoors in the summer. It extracts hot air and humidity from the indoors to lower the temperature. Ground source heat pumps collect heat from your home and transfer that heat into the earth passing by refrigerant. The earth loop of heat pump contains low-temperature fluid which absorbs the heat coming from your home. The heat containing fluid goes under the ground via pipes and transfers the heat into the earth.

Air source heat pump, on the other hand, cools indoors by collecting heat inside your home and moving it outdoors.

Both type of heat pump work on the same principle that is to move heat from higher temperature to lower temperature areas. The difference between two heat pumps is the energy sources that are air and ground. Geothermal heating system makes use of energy stored underground using ground source heat pump to cool or warm your home or office.

How do photovoltaic solar panels operate?

1/28/2015

How do photovoltaic solar panels operate

Solar panels consist of several solar cells or photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cell, the basic unit of solar panels, converts solar energy into electric energy. With the help of solar photovoltaic panels, you can produce your own solar electricity to power your entire home appliances and devices. Solar power is a less expensive way of producing electricity as compared to the electricity provided by utility companies. There are no burning fuels, moving parts and other harmful side effects of solar power. Instead, it is the most soundless and environmentally friendly way of electricity production.

Before you install solar panels for your home, you must have some knowledge as to how photovoltaic cells work to form electricity. Let’s have a brief discussion about the workings of a solar photovoltaic cell.

Photovoltaic cells convert photons from the sunlight into voltage (electrical force). A semiconductor material is used to form photovoltaic cells which allows the electric current pass through. Silicon with little addition of boron and phosphorous is used as a semiconductor in solar cells. There are two layers of semiconductor in each solar cell - positive and negative. Small particles of sunlight called photons are absorbed by photovoltaic cells and release electrons. The electrons flow through the photovoltaic cells in the form of electric current producing energy to power your home.

Solar panels convert solar energy into Direct Current (DC), but the electricity we use to power our home is in the form of Alternate Current (AC). Solar panel transfers the DC electricity to an inverter. Inverter is another module of a complete solar panel system which converts the DC electricity generated by photovoltaic cells into the AC electricity.

Solar panels are the only visible and basic component of a solar power system that actually generate electricity from sunlight. There are no moveable machinery or other complicated parts in solar electric system as such there is less maintenance and cleaning required. For optimal results, it is important to install solar panels at the place where they are exposed to maximum sunlight. You must take care of factors that can affect the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panels like panel orientation, shade of different areas, and pitch and panels of your roof. Smith Sustainable Development extending its services to the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey for carrying out pre-installation survey for you to decide the suitable placement for solar panels.

We explained the working of solar panels in simple words without going into the deep procedure and science behind the production of electricity. However, if you are interested to know more details and complications involve in the solar panels we are ready to explain more details.

Components of Solar Thermal Systems

1/26/2015

Solar thermal is an advanced and energy efficient technology that can meet all your hot water needs for your home. Other heating systems involve burning of fossil fuels. Like natural gas and oil cause a serious threat to the environment by emitting harmful gases on burning. The fuel for solar thermal system comes from the sun, and the system does not involve any burning. Solar thermal systems do not produce electricity from the sunlight, but they absorb energy from the sun, using it for water heating. Main components of solar thermal systems are solar collectors and storage tanks.

Collector panels are of three types used in solar hot water systems for residential use.

1.       Flat plate collectors

2.       Evacuated-tube solar collectors

3.       Integral collectors

Flat plate collector is an insulated metal box which contains solar absorber plate at the bottom and a glass cover at the top. Insulation around flat plate collectors makes them weatherproof.

Evacuated tube solar collectors contain a metal absorber and rows of transparent glass tubes. Metal absorber in the inner glass tube absorbs sunlight and produce heat.

Integral collector storage system or batch system contain large size heating tubes placed inside an insulated box. This system does not require electronic controls and circulation pumps.

Working of each collector panels is different and suitable in different conditions. We help our clients to decide which collector panel is right for them to produce hot water for their homes.

For the purpose of hot water storage, large insulated tanks are used in solar water heating systems. Number of storage tanks could be one or two depending upon the type of heating systems. One tank storage connects to the collectors and contains backup water heater and solar thermal storage in it. In heating system of two tanks, before moving water to a conventional heater, solar water heater preheats the water.

If you cannot meet your household demands with a solar thermal heater, you may need a backup heating source. It is to provide energy when the weather is cold and cloudy. To solve this problem, sometimes we use a solar hot water system in combination with a conventional water heater. For a backup hot water, the equipment of solar water heater can also be used with solar heat panels or tank-less water heater.

You can reduce your dependency on conventional water heater by installing solar thermal systems for your home needs. Making use of the sunlight, solar thermal systems can bear all the heating load of your home. You pay heavy amount in the form of utility bills while pool heating, long hot showers and laundry. It is about time to implement a solar thermal system in your home, to meet all hot water requirements in a cost and energy efficient manner.

How do Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Work?

1/26/2015

How do Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Work

You can keep your home or office warm in winter and cool in summer with a naturally working process of geothermal heating and cooling systems. Interior of the earth contains stable temperatures that are used to warm and cool your home. The other heating systems involve burning of fossil fuels in gas or oil furnaces which pollute the environment. Geothermal heating systems, on the other hand, are environmental friendly and more efficient in terms of energy. Let’s discuss how geothermal heating systems work to cool and heat your home.

The temperature in the atmosphere varies all year, from day to day and in different time of the day however underground temperature remains constant all year. Geothermal heating system reaches the earth’s temperature and brings it up to warm your home, or it collects the heat from your home and dumps it into the earth to cool your home. In order to make use of the earth’s energy, geothermal heating system uses a network of underground piping to circulate water.

The two main components of geothermal heating systems are the heat pump and earth loop. The temperature in the earth is stable throughout the year. Geothermal heating pump uses the temperature of the earth to warm and cool your home. The earth loop contains liquid running through the pipes within the loop. The liquid goes inside the earth and brings heat energy back to keep your home. The purpose of heat pump is distribution of heat energy, its working depends upon the season to collect heat from your home or distribute in it.

During the winter geothermal heat pump compresses the heat from the earth, liquid in pipes absorbs this heat and distributes it throughout your home. In the summer, heat pump pulls the heat from your home and throws it inside the geothermal well through the earth loop making your structure cool. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are best fit to make your home and office warm in winter and cool in summer due to the heating and air conditioning effects.

Overall efficiency of geothermal heating system is much higher than other heating systems like a gas or oil furnace. The system is energy efficient because it easily exchanges heat from the earth. If you install geothermal heating and cooling system, it can easily eliminate the price you pay for heating and cooling of your home. Energy efficiency and natural process of heating your home make geothermal heating system clean and affordable. Contact Smith Sustainable Design if you want to learn more about the working of geothermal heating system or planning to install it for your home and office.

Solar panels for the house

1/26/2015

Solar panels for the house

If you are planning to install solar panels for your home, you need to carry out a small survey, to make sure that your home site collects solar energy enough to make solar a viable power source for your home. Solar site survey is very important before you switch to solar electricity. The survey decides that your location is appropriate for solar electric power or not.

In order to determine that your location is suitable for solar photovoltaic cells or not you must gather the answers for these questions.

1. Does your location collect enough sunlight?

2. Are there any obstacles like trees, and buildings blocking the sunlight? Do obstacles need to be cleared to get more sun?

Let’s discuss these two questions to know what information you must have about pre-installation of solar panels.

Does your location collect enough sunlight?

It depends on the weather condition of your location. Overly cloudy weather is not suitable for solar cells. Fortunately, in the US almost all locations receive sufficient sunlight to effectively install solar panels. You can consult weather resource or solar resource map to gain knowledge about solar capacity of your location.

Are there obstacles in the path of sunlight?

This second part of solar site survey is more critical and requires more attention. It is very important to install solar panels at the location they are exposed to maximum sunlight. There could be trees, buildings and other structures obstructing the solar panels get maximum energy. To find out, possible obstacles in the path of sunlight different techniques can be used. For this purpose, you are required to find out the track of the sun across the sky. Sun changes its path throughout the year and adopts different track in different seasons. So if you are looking for obstacles it is very important to know the path of the sun for a whole year. Sun charts are available for different locations that can help you assess the track of the sun for your location.

There is another way to identify the different obstacles blocking the sun rays to reach solar panels. Build a three-dimensional model of your home and its surroundings or draw a map, in both ways you can locate the hurdles standing in the path of solar energy.

Smith Sustainable Design is experienced in performing solar site surveys to aide in installation decisions. We perform a thorough analysis of your space to determine the ideal location for your solar system panels.

Solar Thermal vs. Solar Electricity

1/22/2015

Solar Thermal vs. Solar Electricity

In general, we associate solar energy with solar electric power but there is one another type of solar energy, that is solar thermal. Solar thermal and solar electricity are not the same although the source of both is the sun. Solar electricity is a method of electricity production directly from the sun, with the help of solar panels. You can use this electricity to power your home. Solar thermal, on the other hand, is a technique of generating heat from the sun. Let’s compare both these types of solar energy to get a better idea about their working and differences.

What they do

Solar photovoltaic system directly converts solar energy into an electrical current. Photovoltaic panels absorb sunlight and convert it into an electric charge. This electric charge can be used to power your home appliances.

Solar thermal energy makes use of the sunlight to produce heat. Heat acquired by the solar thermal energy process can be used for water heating and radiant space heating.

Efficiency

Solar thermal or solar heat technology is highly efficient as compared to the solar electric power. Storage of heat is much easier and cost-effective than the storage of electricity produced by PV panels. Solar hot water system is more than eighty percent efficient where solar panels are only fourteen to twenty percent efficient. It makes the solar hot water system most efficient and advanced technology of solar energy.

Equipment

Collection panels are the basic equipment used in both solar electric system and solar thermal system. Collection panels gather energy from the sun and convert it into electricity or heat. Basic unit of solar electric system is photovoltaic cells, an array of PV cells make photovoltaic panels used to produce electricity. Solar heat panels are linked with plumbing, and photovoltaic panels are connected with wiring - which is another difference between the two systems.

Solar thermal equipment can not only produce electricity for your home, but it also solves your hot water and other heating problems. Solar hot water system allows you to have highly efficient source of heat and hot water for your shower, laundry and dishwashing. In order to plan and install solar thermal technology for your home, contact Smith Sustainable Design based in Pennsylvania; PA and New Jersey; NJ.