Alternative Energy
Cesco has a new website that provides solar information. Please visit the new website at: www.cescosolar.com.
Solar Hot Water
One of the most cost-effective ways to include renewable technologies into a building is by incorporating solar hot water.
A typical residential solar water-heating system reduces the need for conventional water heating by about two-thirds. It minimizes the expense of electricity or fossil fuel to heat the water and reduces the associated environmental impacts.
Solar Heat
Just as solar energy can heat the water for a building, it can also heat and cool the air.
Space Heating - A solar space-heating system can consist
of a passive system, an active system, or a combination
of both. Passive systems are typically less costly and
less complex than active systems. However, when retrofitting a building,
active systems might be the only option for obtaining solar energy.
Website
for solar heat
OTHER WEB SITES TO CHECK OUT:
www.toolbase.org
Geo-thermal
The biggest benefit of GHPs is that they use 25%-50% less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems. This translates into a GHP using one unit of electricity to move three units of heat from the earth. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption - and corresponding emissions - up to 44% compared to air-source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment. GHPs also improve humidity control by maintaining about 50% relative indoor humidity, making GHPs very effective in humid areas.
Geothermal heat pump systems allow for design flexibility and can be installed in both new and retrofit situations. Because the hardware requires less space than that needed by conventional HVAC systems, the equipment rooms can be greatly scaled down in size, freeing space for productive use. GHP systems also provide excellent "zone" space conditioning, allowing different parts of your home to be heated or cooled to different temperatures.
Because GHP systems have relatively few moving parts, and because those parts are sheltered inside a building, they are durable and highly reliable. The underground piping often carries warranties of 25-50 years, and the heat pumps often last 20 years or more. Since they usually have no outdoor compressors, GHPs are not susceptible to vandalism. On the other hand, the components in the living space are easily accessible, which increases the convenience factor and helps ensure that the upkeep is done on a timely basis.
Because they have no outside condensing units like air-conditioners, there's no concern about noise outside the home. A two-speed GHP system is so quiet inside a house that users do not know it is operating: there are no tell-tale blasts of cold or hot air.
Find out more : Educational office or US Dept Energy
Energy Saving Tips
Additional information on energy saving tips is available here.