Geothermal Heat Pumps or GHPs can use 30-60% less energy than conventional HVAC systems, Geothermal systems are also quieter and require less maintenance. Geothermal Heat Pumps are not limited to heating, they can also be use for cooling and in some cases they can even be used as water heaters.

While we have been using Geothermal heat pumps since the late 1940s, according to the Climate Institute, “geothermal heating” has been used since the time of the Roman Empire as a way of heating buildings and spas by using sources of hot water and steam that exist near the Earth’s surface.

Continue reading Energy Efficiency – Replace Your HVAC System With An Energy Efficient Geothermal Heat Pump

We may soon see the day when renewable energy like solar becomes a norm. There is now an increased belief amongst the experts that given a few years time, solar power renewable energy will be in high demand politically and socially that the cost will go down, affordable enough to rival or even undercut the prices of oil-generated electricity.

Past forecasts believe that this will happen within the next ten years. There is a growing anger over the recent price hike in fossil fuels and the vulnerability of having to rely on other nations, governments and scientific communities are seriously considering a reliable alternative energy source.

Continue reading Solar Energy Efficiency

Many people spend hundreds of dollars each winter on heating costs, but there are several ways to help that are not widely known. For example, your ceiling fan can help in ways you might not be aware of. Reversible fans push air upward toward the ceiling, if the room is being heated the heat pushed upward will be warm and as it hits the ceiling, it will bounce off the ceiling and back down to you in the center of the room. Instead of being trapped at the top of your ceiling the fan provides a means of forcing this air down.

Of course turn off your electric fan at night and close all windows, drapes, shutters, or any other place that leads to the outdoors! (During the day open your blinds and curtains to let in the sun’s rays!) Also, seal any holes that may be in your attic or walls. These are all ways to trap heat inside and prevent it from escaping. This helps because along the edges of the unit, heat may have a way to escape from here as well. Also, don’t block your heating vents, and remember the simplest things can go a long way!

Continue reading Energy, Efficiency, and Electric Fans – How to Save and Conserve Without the Extra Cost!

While there are a number of fine energy courses and certified or degreed programs in the various universities and colleges for those who want to make energy efficiency their career in some form or other, there are also free power courses for those who simply want to make some energy-efficient improvements in their own homes. Here are some ideas on where to find these credit or non-credit energy courses.

The University of Oregon, for example, offers online power courses as part of its degreed program for graduates as well as undergraduates. Its commitment to a healthy and energy efficient environment is spelled out on its Web site. Pointing out that the way in which we are exponential using a finite amount of fossil fuel and other non-renewable resources is dooming our successors, the University offers energy courses for those who want to stop this harmful tide.

Continue reading Taking the Energy Efficiency Course

There are different types of green energy available for use to assure that you leave a very light carbon footprint in your wake. Green energy is any form of power that comes naturally to the planet. Wind power and solar power are two of these sources. There are many benefits to having a solar powered house.

Solar energy can help you save money while producing electricity for your home. Not only is it a very cost effective system, but also you may even be able to produce enough electricity that you will have additional energy which you would be able to sell it back to the power company. The sunniest areas could allow you to install a solar system that could go off-grid. The electricity from your solar photovoltaic cells is stored into a battery similar to a cars battery. In areas with less sunlight, you may consider piggybacking solar with a traditional system. This would allow you to receive electricity on sunny and cloudy days.

Continue reading Solar Power House – Energy Efficiency