When installing a solar hot water heater system in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, there are many factors which should be considered. To determine if this choice is best for your home, you’ll want to learn about the advantages and if you are a good candidate. For peace of mind, Smith Sustainable Design has included this information below. We can also provide further assistance in determining if a solar hot water heater system is right for you- just give us a call.

Solar hot water heater systems reduce a home’s reliance on other domestic hot water heating systems such as an electric water heater or a boiler. With a solar hot water system installed, solar thermal energy is free to collect and use- unlike electricity, natural gas, or oil. Solar hot water heater systems allow you to produce most, if not all, of the hot water your home needs, reducing energy costs drastically.

Solar hot water heater systems are an environmentally friendly choice for providing the hot water your home needs. Without the use of fossil fuels, your solar thermal system will help your household cut back on carbon dioxide emissions. Fossil fuels are commonly used to produce electricity; so even if you have an electric water heater, your home is still contributing excess carbon dioxide emissions indirectly. Anytime you can use the solar hot water heater system, you will be benefiting the environment.

So, is your household a good candidate for a solar hot water heater system? Households with the following qualities are likely to benefit greatly from installing one:

• Homes which are occupied all year long (a primary residence, not a vacation home)
  
• Homes which are currently not heating water efficiently (using older, inefficient equipment)
  
• Homes with higher hot water demands (households of four or more people, or multifamily homes)
  

If you think you’re a good candidate for solar hot water heater system installation, or for help determining whether you are or not, contact us. We’ll review your household’s characteristics and your current water heating systems to see if solar hot water would benefit you.

A geothermal heating and cooling system doesn’t produce warm air through combustion like a furnace does. Instead, it utilizes the natural energy below ground to absorb heat and reject heat back into the earth. Using a ground loop as a method for heat exchange, warmed fluid is circulated below ground and back up inside a building to the heat pump, which moves conditioned air to specific areas of a building.

When a geothermal heating and cooling system is used for cooling in warmer months, the earth is used as storage for excess heat. The heat pump absorbs the excess heat from inside a building and uses the fluid-filled ground loop to send the heat below ground for depositing. While it may be hot on the surface, below ground temperatures remain steady and cool all year long- this enables heat from the building to be easily absorbed below ground.

When heating mode is utilized, the geothermal heating and cooling system works in reverse. The ground loop absorbs heat from below ground and moves it up to the building. This heat is distributed to the needed areas by the heat pump. Even though the ground may be frosty, the below ground temperature is toasty enough to provide heat for use indoors.

One added perk of geothermal heating and cooling systems is supplemental hot water. A desuperheater is a water to refrigerant heat exchanger which can be tied into a geothermal heating and cooling system’s ground loop. It doesn’t hurt the efficiency of the system’s heating and cooling capacities, and provides hot water for the building pretty much for free. Plus, when a hot water system is tied into the geothermal heating and cooling system, efficiency is actually increased, because less heat needs to be deposited back below ground.

A geothermal heating and cooling system very complicated; more so than traditional forced air furnaces and air conditioners. A properly sized earth loop and heat pump is important. If you have questions about what a geothermal heating and cooling system does, feel free to contact us. The geothermal heating and cooling system contractors at Smith Sustainable Design are available to answer any questions you may have.

Photovoltaic solar devices are used to generate electricity for homes and businesses. They absorb sunlight and an electronic process to release the electrons which are used to produce electricity for use. Photovoltaic solar technology has come a long way since its first days, and is now used to power many devices, from small electronics to large commercial operations!

The history of photovoltaic solar technology

Alexandre Edmund Becquerel first observed the photovoltaic effect in 1839, which began a trend of inquiry which continued through the beginning of the twentieth century. Bell Labs was the first company to introduce a photovoltaic solar device which could produce a good quantity of electricity- this device was released in 1954. Four years later, photovoltaic solar cells were being utilized on a small scale to power scientific and commercial endeavors.

In the 1970s, the energy crisis created quite an interest in photovoltaic solar technology. Unfortunately, the cost of equipment and electricity generation was too prohibitive for use in most homes and businesses. Developments in photovoltaic solar technology over the years have significantly reduced the cost of electricity generation, making it affordable for almost anyone to utilize. Installation prices have dropped 33% in just the last 2 years, and continue to fall still today.

Modern photovoltaic solar technology

The photovoltaic solar technology industry has grown dramatically, due to the decline in system pricing and the advances in manufacturing technology. Many nations around the globe are strengthening their energy policies and pushing for the shift from fossil fuels to photovoltaic solar and other alternative methods of energy generation, which has also helped the industry grow.

Modern photovoltaic solar products look different from their earlier counterparts. Today’s photovoltaic solar cells use crystalline silicone or a thin film as semiconductor material. Specialized multi-junction and tandem cells have been created for use in low-weight applications which require maximum efficiency- such as satellites and government needs.

When installing a solar heat system, there are two types of solar heat panels which can be used: evacuated tube panels and flat plate panels. Evacuated tube solar heat panels are a newer technology which is utilized in many new installations today. Does newer technology always mean better? Below, we will discuss evacuated tube solar heat panels so you can decide for yourself.


Evacuated tube solar heat panels:

• Collect sunlight better due to their greater exposed surface area
  
• Transfer heat more efficiently than flat plate solar heat panels
  
• Are able to be used for applications where temperatures fall below 0 degrees
  
• Perform well even in less-than-ideal weather conditions
  
• Take up less space
  

In general, evacuated tube solar heat panels are more efficient than flat plate collectors. Evacuated tube panel technology is newer, so the price of components is higher than with flat plate panels. While they cost more initially, they are very durable and replacing broken tubes can be done easily and affordably. Repairs for flat plate panels can be more expensive if needed.

When determining which type of solar heat panel is right for an application, we have to consider the temperature of water in the storage tank as well as the outdoor temperature. Flat plate collectors are more efficient than evacuated tube solar heat panels when there isn’t much temperature variance. On the other hand, evacuated tube solar heat panels offer increased efficiency when the temperature variances increase, making them ideal for use in colder temperatures.

Though evacuated tube solar heat panels are becoming the preferred choice, there are many applications where flat plate solar heat panels are still the best choice, including:

• Housing and dormitories, such as for colleges, the military, correctional facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes
  
• Cafeterias
  
• Car Washes
  
• Laundries
  

Smith Sustainable Design will determine which panel type is right for your application, and answer any questions you may have about the equipment we recommend. Call us today to schedule your consultation.

A crucial element of the design of any ground source heat pump system is the ground loop, which works to collect and disperse heat underground. Installation methods vary, and are chosen to fit the needs of the individual system. The ground loop design can vary based on excavation costs, terrain, climate, and the heating and cooling requirement of the structure. The most popular ground loop design configurations are the vertical and horizontal closed loop, and the pond loop, which are discussed below.

Horizontal closed loop

A horizontal closed loop absorbs the natural heat below ground for use inside the structure, and also deposits unneeded heat back into the earth. As the name implies, horizontal loops are installed horizontally across the available ground. A horizontal loop requires more ground space, as the piping is laid at a shallow depth rather than in deep wells- the trenches where the piping is installed are approximately 6 feet deep. Ground temperatures closer to the surface vary with the changing seasons.

Vertical closed loop

Instead of laying the piping in shallow trenches, a vertical closed loop is installed several hundred feet below ground in deep bore holes. By drilling deep holes, less surface area is needed for installation because of the consent temperature. The ground temperatures at 25 to 30 feet start to become constant. Ground source heat pump system applications which do not have significant ground space are ideal candidates for vertical closed loop design and installation.

Pond loops

Instead of utilizing underground temperatures for heat exchange, a pond loop utilizes a body of water. In this scenario, a lake or pond near the building is used for installation, and the ground loop placed below the surface. If there is not an existing body of water, one may be constructed specifically to meet the needs of a ground source heat pump system. Not all bodies of water are suitable for ground loop placement- the depth and size of the pond or lake must be able to withstand the heating and cooling load of the building.

When designing a ground source heat pump system, loop design is a crucial factor which can determine the success and efficiency of your system. The experts at Smith Sustainable Design will survey the available area and factor in the building’s heating and cooling need to determine which ground loop design is appropriate for each application.

When choosing to install solar system panels at your residence or business, you need to look at the big picture. There are some issues which may affect the installation process, most of which must be dealt with before installation begins. Below are some of the items you’ll want to keep in mind before you install solar system panels.

Insurance

Installing solar system panels may require special considerations for your homeowner’s or property insurance. Many policies cover solar energy systems, but it is important to double check just to be sure. Also, roof installation of solar system panels may affect certain coverage for your roof. Check with your insurance agent about issues which could affect your coverage, such as roof penetrations which may be necessary for installing solar system panels.

Zoning

Depending on the area you live in, zoning laws may dictate where you can and cannot have solar system panels installed. To ensure compliance with local zoning laws, check with your city or county first. If you have a homeowners association, they may also require approval before installing solar system panels. Make sure to check with these organizations before planning your installation.

Permits

Cities and townships require permits for performing certain work; solar system panel installation also require a permit in your area. Permits must be obtained before installation begins. We can help you navigate the permitting process to ensure your installation is cleared by your city or township to prevent future issues.

Installing solar system panels can be a confusing process if you are not familiar with it. When you choose an experienced solar system panel installer like Smith Sustainable Design, we help you navigate the installation process to remove confusion and frustration. Our design and installation team can help you sort out necessary permits, ensure compliance with zoning laws, and inform you of the questions you’ll need to ask your insurance agent. 

When it is time to install a new hot water heater, many homeowners start doing their research and comparing different systems. One system you may be overlooking in your search is a solar hot water system. This can be a costly mistake, as solar hot water systems have many advantages over their traditional electric competitors. Not convinced? See for yourself:

Electric hot water systems are a major consumer of energy within a household. Many times, these systems aren't tied into an off peak power program like heating and cooling may be, so you’re likely paying full price for power whenever you need hot water. With solar hot water systems, most if not all of your hot water is produced using solar energy, so your household electricity bills are much lower.

Think you can only use a solar hot water system on a sunny day? Think again. Evacuated tube systems are very effective and work well even when the weather isn’t cooperating. Your solar hot water system can be used when it’s cloudy, raining, or snowing! Yes, an electric system won’t normally be affected by inclement weather (unless of course there is a power outage), but with these systems, you’re still using utility power anytime you need hot water.

Still worried about the weather affecting your hot water supply? There is really no need because solar hot water systems do have electric backup systems which will produce hot water for your home during periods where solar energy collection is minimal. These backup systems aren’t utilized very often, so utility energy use is still minimized with a solar hot water system.

If you’re not sure about whether you should ditch electric and switch to a solar hot water system, feel free to give us a call. Smith Sustainable Design can help you compare the benefits and discover the savings that solar hot water can offer your household.

Maintaining your geothermal heat system should always be included in your home maintenance routine. Maintenance is crucial to protecting your system and maximizing performance. Geothermal heat system maintenance has different considerations compared to a traditional furnace: here are the areas you need to be sure to pay attention to.

Antifreeze Levels

Maintaining the proper level of antifreeze in your geothermal heat system’s ground loop is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the entire system. Without the proper amount of antifreeze, the fluid in you loop field could freezer and cause damage to your geothermal heat system. When performing routine maintenance, have your technician check the antifreeze levels in your system-improper levels may be a sign of a leak in the ground loop.

Piping

The piping used to create the ground loop portion of your system is very durable and should not need maintenance. Even so, during a maintenance inspection, your piping should be checked to make sure there are no leaks in the system. Any leak can prevent your geothermal heat system from functioning at its best, and should be corrected immediately.

Ducts

Your duct work transfers heating and cooling from the geothermal heat system into your home. If the ducts aren’t up to par, your geothermal heat system can’t provide the comfort levels you want indoors. Ducts should be inspected for leaks and other damage, and corrected so that conditioned air can flow properly into the home.

Dirt and Debris

Dirt and debris buildup anywhere in your geothermal heat system is bad news. This buildup can cause damage to system components and affect the quality of your indoor air. A geothermal heat system technician will clean crucial components during maintenance to prevent damage to the mechanical components. Removing dirt and debris will also help improve the overall efficiency of your system.

As discussed in Part 1 of this blog series, space and orientation are two important factors we consider when determining if your roof is ideal for installing solar photovoltaic panels. The other critical factors we look at are the condition of the roof and the shading of the roof space. 

Condition

The condition of your roof itself is an important consideration which should be evaluated before installing solar photovoltaic panels. If your roof is fairly new, you probably won’t need to worry about replacing it before the installation. On the other hand, if your roof is 15 years old or more, you may want to think about replacing it before your solar photovoltaic panel installation takes place. Most roofing materials only last 25 to 30 years, whereas your solar energy system won’t need replacement for about 20 or more years. With an older roof, those materials won’t outlive your system and will require replacement down the road, which means your solar energy system must be taken down and reinstalled after your roof replacement.

It is also crucial that your roof can withstand the weight of the solar photovoltaic panels. They don’t weigh as much as you may think- only 3 to 5 pounds per square foot- but they can add up because multiple panels will be used. We take precautions to determine the maximum load your roof system can bear to ensure your roof and building structure will not be damaged by the weight of the solar photovoltaic panels.

Shading

Your roof can be the perfect size, have the ideal exposure, and be in excellent condition, but it won’t matter at all if the solar photovoltaic panels will be shaded! Shading from other buildings, trees, chimneys, and other rooftop equipment can reduce the performance of the solar energy system. We use special software to estimate the amount of shading your roof receives each day of the year to make sure it isn’t enough to hinder your system performance.

When planning a solar photovoltaic panel installation, we don’t just come out and begin throwing panels up on your roof. We take the time and do the leg work to ensure your roof is the right location for panel installation. Smith Sustainable Design wants to maximize the performance of your solar photovoltaic panels, and these roof check areas are the first step in doing so.

Commercial applications which have high hot water demands are excellent candidates for solar thermal installation. For instance, commercial and coin operated laundry businesses use a significant amount of hot water each day. Utilizing solar thermal systems in these industries can significantly reduce operating costs for a facility.

Commercial washing and coin operated laundry facilities can harness solar energy for water heating purposes by installing solar thermal systems. Solar thermal systems can reduce a facility’s operating costs by lowering the amount of energy needed to heat water using traditional equipment, such as boilers or gas and electric water heaters. Solar thermal systems can be custom designed to meet the ranging needs of individual laundry facilities.

Commercial solar thermal systems for these applications are designed using the same principles as other solar thermal systems. Collector panels are installed on a southern exposure of the building, though the number of panels will vary based on the facility’s hot water demands. Storage tanks are sized large enough to work with the system and meet the hot water demands of a facility.

Using solar thermal hot water systems won’t negatively impact the available hot water supply, which is a concern for many commercial and coin operated laundry facilities. Solar thermal systems provide a continuous supply of hot water for use in the facility. Commercial washing and coin operated laundry facilities which have already installed solar thermal systems have found that sufficient hot water is produced for meeting the daily needs of their businesses.

Solar thermal water heating offers many advantages for commercial washing and coin operated laundry facilities, as well as in other commercial applications where hot water is in high demand. To learn more about installing a solar thermal system for your facility, contact Smith Sustainable Design for a consultation today.