Solar Power, Geothermal Heating, Solar Water Heater PA and NJ

Go Green, Economical, and Efficient with Solar Heat Systems

2/27/2015

Many homeowners are looking for cost-effective and energy-efficient source of energy for their home and business. Different solar energy systems such as solar panels and solar heat systems are becoming popular because of their high efficiency. Many people consider that installing solar power system for their home requires very high price. Solar heat systems differ from solar photovoltaic systems. Solar photovoltaic panels produce electricity for your home where solar heat system is for water heating. For water heating, solar heat system is less expensive and affordable way for an average homeowner.

Solar heat system proves to be an affordable and effective way of going solar, rejecting the high price tag of solar power system. In the case of traditional gas or electric water heaters, you pay thousands of dollars for their equipment, installation, and yearly maintenance. Solar water heaters, on the other hand, do not require such additional charges; instead they save energy every year recovering the installation costs. Energy saving opportunity every year gives you a sound reason to pay more initially for the installation of solar heating equipment in comparison with electric or gas water heaters. You can also qualify for federal tax credits and other local incentives in case of purchasing certain certified solar heat systems. The rebate or tax credit can reduce the costs for your solar heating equipment up to 30%.

A solar heat system is much advanced and energy efficient as compared to the traditional gas or electric water heater. It uses approximately 80 percent less energy than other typical water heating systems. This considerable reduction in energy consumption can save $500 per year for an average home. It is believed that after adding all incentives, tax credits, and yearly savings, solar heat system can pay back its initial installation costs within 5 to 7 years.

If you want to go solar, don’t make cost an excuse because long-term benefits of solar heat system compensate the initial installation costs for you within a few years. Smith Sustainable Design helps you explore different solar water heating options for your home. We guide our customers to find best solar heating system according to their needs and budget.

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Myths about Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

2/27/2015

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Myths about Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

While considering the world of geothermal heating and cooling systems, it is important to identify the facts from general assumptions. Many people believe in some false concepts related to the geothermal heating and cooling technology. You must learn about the typical myths and facts about geothermal heating and cooling systems to make a wise decision about the selection of heating system for your home or business. Here we combined few common misconceptions about geothermal heating and cooling technology.

Geothermal heating systems are not appropriate in extreme winters

No matter how cold it is above the ground, temperature few feet below the surface of the earth remains constant at 54 degrees. A geothermal heating and cooling system extracts that constant underground heat to keep your indoors warm. So even in the coldest days there should be no problem at all for a geothermal heating systems to keep your home at a comfortable temperature making use of geothermal energy.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems need backup heat

Many homeowners prefer to install geothermal heating and cooling systems along with an addition of new or already existing backup heat source. A geothermal heating and cooling system of proper size can cover the heat load of your home quite comfortably so there is no need for any backup heat source.

Smaller property cannot manage geothermal heating and cooling system

There is another false opinion that geothermal heating and cooling systems are only for big lots. Design of a geothermal heating technology is flexible which can be adjusted according to the size of your home. Many people relate proper installation of geothermal heating and cooling system with the type of soil or terrain of their lands, but this idea doesn't make sense. All such obstacles and doubts could be dealt with if you are consulting qualified team of geothermal design and installation, like Smith Sustainable Design.

Only new homes can accommodate geothermal heating and cooling systems

You are not required to build a new home, in order to install geothermal heating and cooling system. Retrofitting geothermal heating system in your existing house is as common and convenient as integrating the system during construction. If you are looking for upgrading or replacing your typical heating or cooling system for your home or business, geothermal heating and cooling system makes the best option.

Geothermal heating and cooling system is are new technology

There is another incorrect notion that we cannot rely on geothermal heating and cooling systems because they are new and not trusted. Early Native Americans found an attractive location to settle in North America because of the naturally occurring geothermal hot springs there. Geothermal heating and cooling pumps were first designed and executed in the 1940's, to make use of the underground heat to maintain a comfortable temperature in homes and buildings. With time, the concepts of geothermal energy has advanced and improved in efficiency.

Contact Smith Sustainable Design based in PA and NJ for a reliable information and advice about geothermal heating and cooling systems. With the help of facts, we will eliminate your doubts about geothermal heating systems helping you to decide best geothermal system for your home.

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Solar Installation Costs

2/27/2015

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There is no doubt solar installation requires a considerable investment at the beginning for your residential or commercial solar energy plan. When getting to know about the capital cost of a solar installation, many people believe that the solar electricity is not affordable for their homes. You must not take into account the upfront installation charges if you are looking for long term benefits of solar power systems by reducing your energy costs. However, there are some financing options you can choose to reduce the uproot costs of solar installation like Power Purchases Agreement (PPA) and solar leases.

Financing Option: Solar Leases

You can reduce the capital cost for the installations of solar panels and other equipment with the help of the solar lease; your plan for upfront cost reduction of a solar power installations. You will cover the charges for a solar installation by paying a fixed amount of installments each month, meanwhile producing energy from the solar panels. Your lease provider will own the solar panels and will also maintain them until you pay the final installment. Solar leases help you get the benefits of solar power system at low rates while eliminating high utility bills.

Financing Option: Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

In the case of a power purchase agreement (PPA), you only pay for the electricity produced and used. You do not own the solar panels system and you have no need to pay for the installing charges Instead your PPA provider owns the solar panels and other equipment and covers the installation cost. This agreement also sets you free from the worry of maintenance or repairs as your PPA provider maintain your equipment. You will only pay a fixed rate for the electricity produced which would be considerably lower than the electricity rate from the utility companies.

Right Financing Option for Solar Installation

It depends on the location of your home or business as to which installation option is suitable for you. Both a solar leases and PPA options reduce the installation charges making solar power system affordable for your home or office.

Benefits of Financing Installations of your Solar Power System

By choosing a solar lease or PPA for financing your solar power system installation, you will get some more benefits other than saving money. These financing options release you from the strain of repair and maintenance of your system because a third party owns the system and is responsible for maintaining your equipment. When you install the solar system of your own you pay extra fees for inspection, which may vary from place to place, solar installation financing options helps you avoid such additional charges.

Contact Smith Sustainable Design to learn more about different financing options and their benefits and make it possible to use solar power for your home or business without paying a heavy upfront amount. We will help you get a better understanding of financing option that fits in your budget.

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OG-300 Solar Hot Water Heater System for Residential Use

2/27/2015

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OG-300 Solar Hot Water Heater System for Residential Use

It is important to look for Solar Rating and Certification (SRCC) seal on the solar hot water system you choose for your home. Collector certification (OG-100) and heating system certification (OG-300) are two major currently operating programs of SRCC. The OG-300 certification and rating program is a reliable and best choice for a new solar thermal systems for the residential use. The complete package of OG-300 systems provides a solar thermal kit including collectors, storage tanks, and other components required for a safe installation.

Every product having OG-300 certification seal gives valuable information to the consumer about solar hot water heater system. We can assume from the OG-300 seal that the particular product has been tested and meets the requirements of SRCC standard. It means that the product operates efficiently, meets safety requirements, and provides a specific amount of solar energy. A comparison between different ratings of OG-300 systems can help you select the best system for your requirements. You can also examine how a rated solar thermal kit is more profitable than an unrated system.

You also qualify for rebates or tax credits if your purchase an OG-30 system. This incentive is from the federal government for those homeowners who select OG-300 systems for their home. You can receive about 30 percent of your costs as a tax credit by purchasing this system. You can apply for a federal tax if you choose to purchase a OG-300 Solar Hot Water Heater System for your new construction, existing home or primary or secondary residence (not for rental homes). Make your plans to purchase and install a new OG-300 solar hot water heater system because the tax credit incentive will end at the end of year 2016.

The Clean Energy Program in the state of New Jersey offers you financial incentives for purchasing OG-300. On buying a non-rated system, you may not receive rebates or tax credits offered by your utility company on installing SRCC rated system. SRCC do not rate low-standard and cheap solar hot water heaters, made overseas. You can be disqualified from extra benefits if you purchase these non-certified systems.

Smith Sustainable Design offer to install OG-300 solar hot water heater system for your residential use, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Contact us for more information about the different available types and benefits of OG-300 systems. We will guide you to choose the best SRCC rated solar hot water heater system for your home.

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Geothermal Heating Systems are Energy-Efficient and a Greenest Option

2/27/2015

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Geothermal Heating Systems are Energy-Efficient and a Greenest Option

Due to the climate change and other environmental issues, many homeowners and business owners prefer to use environmental friendly systems to reduce the harmful impacts on the environment. Very often we hear about the “green” products in the market that are supposed to have none or a little harmful impact on the environment during the cycle of their production to disposal. Geothermal heating system in terms of “green” is the most environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient system out of all other green products and systems.

In the United States, use of fossil fuels is very common for the purpose of heating and cooling, in a home and business. In order to maintain a comfortable temperature in your indoors, it requires almost 50 percent of the total energy consumption of an average home. Fossil fuels that are commonly used to provide heat to your home require more energy and are less efficient as compared to the geothermal heating system. Use of fossil fuels for heating purpose not only wastes valuable non-renewable resources, but it also results in damage to the environment.

Geothermal heating systems need much lesser energy than a furnace or other heating systems thus have the highest positive impacts on the environment. There are no burning of fossil fuels involved in the case of geothermal heat pumps. This system utilizes natural energy present within the earth's interior to provide heat to your home or office. Overall operation of geothermal heat pumps needs energy of the earth and electricity, making the working of heat pumps free of any combustion and unsafe byproducts such as greenhouse gases. Geothermal heating systems use a larger percentage of natural geothermal energy for the operation instead of electricity, which makes it possible to lower the energy consumption by conserving electricity.

Because of their high efficiency almost half of the world’s direct geothermal usage is associated with geothermal heating systems. The efficiency of geothermal heat pump systems is higher than the other available green products and systems so they are more effective in reducing harmful environmental impacts. You can make your home environmental friendly and truly “green” by installing geothermal heating system. These systems will help you to reduce your carbon footprint and save your money for any other heating or cooling system. For more information on Geothermal heating systems, call Smith Sustainable Design based in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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Solar Energy Monitoring System for A Home

2/27/2015

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Solar Energy Monitoring System for A Home

Many people keep a check on the consumption rate, varying prices, and working process of electricity produced by the utility companies. Homeowners tend to switch to the electric solar energy for their homes for the purpose of reducing utilities. Monitoring, however, is something required in the case of electric solar energy systems as well. We can use a monitoring system in combination with electric solar energy system. Monitoring system alerts you in case the system is not working properly. It also provides useful data on energy use.

You have the option of including monitoring system in electric solar energy system during the installation. Monitoring system are usually the web-based format used to display readings and data. The system collects information about electricity usage from your commercial or residential building, and displays it in an easy to understand method. You can access this data from any web-enabled computer or device. The remote availability of data depends on the type of monitoring program you use. You can effectively use the information provided by your monitoring system for the purpose of better energy use and system’s performance.

For electric solar energy systems, monitoring tools provide you the measurement of two important values, energy consumption and energy production. With the help of monitoring system, you can get information about different factors, which affect energy production. These factors include weather information, panel temperatures, the wind speed, solar irradiance, and more. Monitoring tool helps you plan the future and identify the trend by the analysis of production and usage data for the long past period of time. You can also receive an alert from the monitoring tool if your system is not working properly. Identification of the problem helps you to solve it immediately thus making the performance of your system even better.

Many monitoring tools provide information in terms of positive environmental impact of your solar energy system. Your monitoring system does not always generate a technical data which many of us hardly understand. Some monitoring systems interpret the electric solar energy produced into alternate benefits, like gallons of gasoline saved or hours to power the home. You can get a better idea from the relatable data your monitoring system provides about how the solar power system is saving your tons of money, benefiting your home and business.

Monitoring tools make your solar energy system more effective and organized, giving you valuable information about the consumption and production, performance and efficiency of your system, error in your system if any, and direct benefits of your system on the environment. Expert team at Smith Sustainable Design guides you about the best monitoring solution for your commercial or residential solar power system.

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Standard and Rating for Solar Thermal Equipment and Systems

2/26/2015

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Standard and Rating for Solar Thermal Equipment and Systems

You must have heard about ratings and standards for different renewable energy products especially when purchasing appliances such as central heating and air systems, water heaters etc. ENERGY STAR is a very well known program in the U.S. to help everyone save money and protect the climate. So consider Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) when you decide to install solar hot water system or solar thermal equipment for your home or business. The organization SRCC provides rating and certification for different solar energy equipment like collector certification and heating system certification.

For an SRCC certified product, you can see the product rating for operating guidelines, product testing, and product standards. The purpose of this program was to test and rate the efficiency of the solar thermal equipment, by their manufacturers at the time of the production. This rating system guides homeowners about the efficiency and reliability of different types of solar thermal equipment, helping them to select an ideal solar energy system for their home. The rating system for solar thermal equipment has been working since 1980, trusted by the government of the United States for their reliable product information.

Similar to ENERGY STAR program, the SRCC rating program helps homeowners to make a decision about purchasing, giving them valuable information about the solar energy products. You can use solar rating system to evaluate different solar thermal products, comparing them side by side and selecting the one, which best suits for your home needs. The nationwide acknowledged, SRCC rating and certification program is a standard method for the comparison of solar thermal products.

A variety of collectors and solar thermal systems have been rated, receiving the SRCC seal. There are about 1,000 collectors and 2,000 solar thermal systems available in the market that are certified and rated by the SRCC. We at Smith Sustainable Design offer SRCC rated equipment such as collectors and solar thermal systems for your home. You can contact us for more information about the understanding and practical use of SRCC rating program.

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Advantages of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Part 2

2/26/2015

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Advantages of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Part 2

Previously we were discussing some benefits of geothermal heat pump systems. In this second part, we will consider some additional benefits of geothermal heat pump systems. Many homeowners install geothermal heating systems to lower their energy consumption and energy expenses. This properties of a heat pump makes them a wise option for your home and the environment.

Geothermal Heating Systems are Energy Efficient

The energy requirement, of a geothermal heat pump systems, is significantly lower than a gas and oil furnace. Even the other type of heat pumps like the air source heat pumps require more energy to operate as compared to the geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are more energy-efficient than any other heating and cooling systems so, they are more effective in reducing your energy bills. A geothermal heating and cooling system's high efficiency and low operating cost makes it possible to pay back your investment in a geothermal heat pumps installations in few years.

Free Hot Water with Geothermal Heat Pump Systems

Hot water is a need of every home for many purposes such as laundry, shower, dish washing, and other. Geothermal heat pumps facilitate your hot water demand providing hot water for your home along with maintaining a comfortable temperature indoors in every season. Geothermal heat pumps extract heat from the earth and transfer the surplus heat in your hot water tank. A geothermal heat pumps can lower your hot water bills by producing hundreds of gallons of free hot water each year.

Geothermal Heat Pumps are Environmental Friendly

If you want to keep your environment safe and healthy, you must consider a geothermal heat pumps over the other heating systems. Efficiency of geothermal systems is extremely high about 500 percent in extreme winters. It will require less energy to operate geothermal heat pumps to keep your home warm in winters and cool in summers. Due to the smaller energy need, geothermal heating systems do not have harmful impacts on the environment as compared to a gas or oil furnace, which emits hazardous gases polluting the environment.

Contact Smith Sustainable Design today, if you want to install ideal heating system for your home receiving several advantages accosted with it. You can take advantage of keeping the temperature of your home comfortable with highly efficient, environmentally safe, and durable geothermal heating pump systems.

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Solar Energy System for Homes

2/26/2015

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Before the installation of a solar energy system, many homeowners have some questions in their minds about the size of solar panels and their fitting process on the roofs. The design of your solar panel system depends upon a number of factors like available space, slope of your roof, orientation of your home. Let’s discuss how these factors play an important role in determining the design of solar panel installation.

Orientation of your home is an important factor and needs consideration before the installation of solar panels. For the purpose of collecting maximum energy from the sun, install solar panels where they face south direction. It is the possibility that your roof does not have a southern sunlight exposure due to some obstruction like trees or other homes. In this case, we may consider a ground mounted solar panels instead of the roof mounted solar panels.

Plan proper angle of the solar panels if the orientation of your home gives sunlight exposure from the south. The pitch of your roof also helps deciding the installing angle of solar panels. The best angle, to install solar panels, is an inclination of 40 degrees plus or minus 15% in the south direction. Steeper roof is not appropriate to get maximum sunlight, in this case ground mounted solar panels can work. If the roof of your home is not that steep, roof-mounted solar panels can be arranged to receive maximum sun exposure.

The size of solar panels for homes depends on your roof construction and effective areas. Load ratings of your roof and ideal available space for solar panel installations are two important factors which require consideration for the safe and effective solar panel installation. Ground mounted solar panels have a large capacity of 20 kilowatts as compared to the roof mounted solar panels, which have size range of 3 to 10 kilowatts. It depends on your required capacity to what type of solar panels systems would be appropriate for you - ground mounted or roof mounted.

Smith Sustainable Design has expert planners for solar panel systems ready to examine your homes for ideal solar panel installations. In order to design an effective solar power system, our team of experts carefully evaluates your site and its surroundings. Contact us to begin solar system planning for your home starting from the site evaluation.

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Pool Heating through Solar Hot Water System

2/26/2015

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Pool Heating through Solar Hot Water System

Everyone wants to have a heating system for their outdoor pools, but the expected cost of pool water heating makes them ignore the idea. You have no need to avoid the pool heating plan anymore because solar hot water systems provide a cost-effective and energy-efficient heating system for your pool. Solar hot water systems make use of the natural energy from the sun to maintain a consistent temperature of your pool.

Different components of solar hot water system for your pool heating include a solar collector, a pump, a filter and a flow control valve. Solar collector receives water from your pool after getting pumped and passing through the filter. Water gets heated in the solar collector and returns back to your pole. The same process works in hot climates by operating during the night time for the purpose of cooling pool water.

A number of factors determines the size of the solar hot water system suitable for your pool. These factors include the pool size, desired temperature of the water, pool cover, length of swimming season, and the average temperature of your location. By considering all these factors, you can easily determine the size of solar collector and pump of your solar hot water system.

The charges are exorbitant when you use typical gas or electric heaters for your pool water. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it may cost $2,000.00 per year to heat an average sized residential pool by the traditional heating methods. Every year, maintenance of these systems will charge you much more than their initial installation costs.

On the contrary, solar hot water systems require very low annual operational cost helping you to recover the installation costs within few years of use. With solar water heaters, you can enjoy warm pool water the whole year without paying large amounts for the operational cost of your heating system.

You can consult Smith Sustainable Design for installing and designing an ideal solar hot water system for your pool. Leave your current gas or electric pool heater and enjoy warm water using solar hot water system without worrying about operating costs. If you are planning to install a pool, we can help you have an ideal pool heating system making use of the natural energy from the sun for heating your pool water. Contact us today if you are in Pennsylvania or New Jersey and looking for a pool heating system.

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<<Previous

Go Green, Economical, and Efficient with Solar Heat Systems

Myths about Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

Solar Installation Costs

OG-300 Solar Hot Water Heater System for Residential Use

Geothermal Heating Systems are Energy-Efficient and a Greenest Option

Solar Energy Monitoring System for A Home

Standard and Rating for Solar Thermal Equipment and Systems

Advantages of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Part 2

Solar Energy System for Homes

Pool Heating through Solar Hot Water System

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