Thursday, 17 January 2013

Underfloor Heating- Always a popular choice



As the name suggests itself, under floor heating systems render the most ideal means for warming up interiors when chilly cold winters are in full swing. The best part is such heating mechanism is suitable for all types of floors ranging from concrete, wood, laminate, tile and even carpet. In fact such a heating mechanism is a boon in the unbearable cold winters when the cold wave almost creeps through every nook and corner of your house.

For most optimum results it is advisable to install the electric underfloor heating devices at the time your house is under the construction stage. Such devices are constitute of special electric mats which are strategically placed beneath the entire surface of your floor. The good news is that such mats are available in various sizes and shapes in the market. Then off course, a large electric mat can be purchased which can then be cut accordingly into suitable size to fit your individual rooms along with an electric cable attached to this which draws the electricity from the mains power supply. So, installation is as simple as 123. Not to forget that the tiles floors work especially well with underfloor heating systems as that way can possess the beauty and style of the tiles and the warmth of the underfloor heating combined together in a single comprehensive system.

Underfloor heating is also a lot more economical way of enjoying your winters as never before. The most wonderful aspect of any underfloor heating is the gentle heat it provides which is instrumental in minimizing problems such as backache, common cold, and stiffness which are usually faced by old people and kids. Then off course, there are also water based systems available that utilize water heat through the means of a pipe.  It is worth noting that water based systems are better suited for new builds and the system will work in conjunction with your boiler and you may need to assess whether the boiler is suitable and compatible with your underfloor heating system. Also, it needs to be understood that electric systems cause less disruption than water based systems and are suitable for almost any floor type.

Last but not the least for all those people who feel that an electric underfloor heating system may aggravate their monthly energy bills should seriously reconsider their notion. This is because in comparison with the conventional electric heating such as storage heaters, this system consumes a lot less energy which comfortably fits in your monthly budget. Not only that but the water based systems are also economical because they use water at a lower temperature than radiators and they maintain a constant temperature.

Friday, 28 December 2012

Domestic Wind Turbines- The Future of Energy Assembling is now made easy!

Domestic wind turbine is the best way to produce clean and free electrical energy. The question really that arises is why is it then that we do not find people using this form of clean and free energy more frequently. One might presume that systems used to generate such electricity cost quite a bit and that it might also be cumbersome to really install one. However the reality is that there are ways and means wherein you can easily install them at lower costs. Save money and the planet while saving your money too! Contrary to what many have falsely assumed these wind turbines do not cost you a fortune. In fact the avenues of using environmentally friendly devices and energy resources are acclaimed. The planet is surely getting depleted of its natural resources by the day and hence it’s more a responsibility that we find alternate means to generate power to fulfill our needs. The options are almost mandatory with the way fossil fuels are getting depleted.

Smaller scale businesses can now easily become self reliant without having to depend on conventional energy resources. Electricity supply with the introduction of Domestic wind turbine, no longer depend on big businesses. Unreliable power sources have made it even more difficult for getting raw materials and supply gets adversely affected. Acquiring independent power generating sources seems the only way out. It’s amazing to see how wind power is a less expensive option than even solar power. Especially during winter it’s even more difficult as solar power is at the minimal so it really doesn’t serve an all time purpose. Hence bigger and larger storage devices and extra solar panels become necessary to meet bad solar situations. Domestic wind turbines have a lower profile when compared to solar systems. However they deliver electricity almost all the year through. For example a 9 foot turbine produces sufficient electrical energy for many people go 'off-grid' together. This definitely reduces electrical consumption and saves quite a bit of money.

Most people look at installation costs rather than looking at the costs that they would save otherwise on electricity. The payback period for others can be as long as 10-15 years. So one doesn’t really need to choose something that’s going to cost that much. Technology and installation used to generate wind power is simpler. If you had to use a device that runs on electric energy you would just hook it to your power supply. In the case of Domestic wind turbine, all you do is just the opposite; you first rotate the turbine and then attach the gadget. The reverse actuality of what you would do ordinarily, Sometimes it may take a while for you to get used to it, surely the habit will form and the ease and comfort of using this will follow in time. The propeller catches the wind and the motor runs, there is stored using batteries so that the energy created is not wasted away unnecessarily. In fact there are people today who just about can assemble a wind turbine using online instructions and hardware purchased locally!

Thursday, 13 December 2012

Everything you need to know about Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Solar photovoltaic installers furnish buildings and huge solar energy farms with photovoltaic systems that translate free sunlight into fresh and renewable energy. The Photovoltaic systems make use of the solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic Cells present on the panels absorbs the energy generated by the Sun. Later this energy is converted into a DC Electricity. Then they make this electricity get converted to AC, and is done by an inverter device. The system is prepared from single, or multiple solar photovoltaic panels, a DC/AC power converter also recognized as an inverter, a rack system that grasp the solar panels, electrical inter-connections, and some other mechanisms. The photovoltaic installer may alternatively have a maximum power point tracker (MPPT), battery and charger system, solar tracker system, energy management software, solar concentrators and many other types of equipments.

The Energy produced by the sun is absorbed by the photovoltaic cells on the panels. Later this energy gets converted into DC electricity, and then an inverter converts the DC electricity into AC for home usage. The panels for solar can be of roof level or ground level. Different traders may have different panel size. A normal panel size is 90cm by 160cm. Also, cost for the system depends upon the customer’s budget and the vacant place.

A small PV system can give energy to only one consumer or to some remote devices like a lamp or to a weather instrument. Large photovoltaic systems can give energy to multiple consumers. We can also store the electricity generated or can consume directly.

The Solar photovoltaic Systems comes with a 20 year warranty and is given by the manufacturer since they are no moving parts the system, it can last for about 25 to 30 years or may be more than this. It is also worth noting that Solar PV Systems will still produce electricity on cloudy and dry days.

An EPC - Energy Performance Certificate, review is necessary if your system is to be enrolled for the Feed in Tariff. This new requirement is introduced by the government. It says you house has got to be a grade D or above to meet the criteria.

The Solar photovoltaic installers are generally designed in order to make certain the uppermost energy production for a given speculation.

Benefits of Solar photovoltaic installers:
  • Producing electricity through solar energy doesn’t involve any kind of carbon dioxide emission into the environment. Thus, it is a completely Eco-friendly way to produce electricity.
  • Once you have installed Solar PV system, you don’t have to bear any other raw material costs because you get sunlight for free.
  • Other non-renewable sources are very expensive and the cost is rising with each passing year.
  • Sunlight is a renewable source of energy and thus it won’t deplete like coal etc.
Professional companies who deal in installation of Solar PV system can guide you more about the installation procedure and benefits of solar photovoltaic systems.

Friday, 23 November 2012

Underfloor Heating Systems- The Past, The Present And The Future!

Just before winter sets in, normally towards the end of summer there are many smart home owners who prepare their homes well in advance for the cold winter season. Winter will definitely cause intense climatic changes that can even be more extreme. Drastic changes in temperature have claimed many lives and extremities have become just too tough to withstand. Gas and electricity prices are just getting higher often.  Increasing fuel prices and the ever increasing rates of inflation have forced people to look at alternate systems that are economical and efficient. Hence choosing heating systems that are more pocket friendly and that can help to combat the cold comfortably, becomes necessary. Underfloor heating systems were developed to facilitate the above. And, now they are quickly gaining popularity and becoming common in many households.

Ribbon Underfloor Heating

Ribbon Mats

The Origin
Contrary to what people commonly concur about this heating system, it is definitely not a recent addition to the new inventions. In fact if you really check and look back as far as the prehistoric period, you can find traces of how people used underfloor spaces and cavities and passed smoke to generate heat. People in North Asia and even in Alaska used these cavities to heat floor surfaces. This was done to increase residential temperatures and to fight cold climatic conditions. Basically to put in a nutshell, the smoke heats the floor and easily rotates through the cavities making rooms warm. The Romans with their hypocaust used steam and hot air circulation system between walls and floors as their heating system.

Carbon Film Underfloor Heating

Carbon Film

The Present
Today with recent research, companies have now effectively developed economical Underfloor heating systems. These have distinct and efficient features over older ones. Normally the traditional radiator based heating system costs are much higher than these heating systems. Cost of installation especially for newly constructed homes is low. The heat generated by these reaches almost every nook and corner of the room.  Heat is not concentrated in a particular area of the room. Hence there is a wholesome feeling of warmth in the atmosphere. Associated issues like regular maintenance, uncontrolled humidity and space occupied in the room are eliminated.

Carbon Mats Underfloor Heating

Cable Mats

Types
The two kinds of Underfloor heating systems; water- based and electricity- based can be installed relatively easily. Older homes or new constructions, most of the boilers can incorporate this heating installation. The aspects that require consideration while addressing heating requirements of a home include the kind of underfloor, underlay and system. Carpeted rooms although take a while to get warm; however they do stay warmer for a longer duration as well. It is completely up to one’s discretion whether you want to have a carpeted floor or not. Electricity-based ones are less expensive to install, but the expenses to run the same is higher.  What has become more popular today are kits and guides that help in taking a well informed decision on which heating system will suit the needs. It definitely provides both short and long term benefits. Lower installation cost and better heating are making this a preferred heating option. As a matter of caution one can always check and compare the costs and decide.

Saturday, 10 November 2012

Solar PV devices can save you from the huge electricity bills

Solar photovoltaic cells or devices based on this technology are used to convert the solar energy into electric energy. The cells present in these devices have the property to produce electrons from the solar energy incident on them. The stream of these electrons is then captured to form a stream of electric energy usable by humans. Various devices such as solar light panels and calculators are based on this theory and are capable of working without batteries. Having such kinds of devices will mean that you will be saving a lot in your electricity bills and will be far off from electricity breaks.

Though the initial cost of these devices can be more than the other battery run devices, but these are worth the cost. The user will recover the whole cost in a very short interval of time by saving on the running cost of the device. If still you feel like your budget is not allowing you to purchase such a device, you can visit a website that supplies these devices on a discounted rate. These websites also offer second hand solar devices which are as good as the new ones. After receiving them, you can either install them yourself or call the professional solar PV installers to do it for you.

Many people are unknown to a very unique feature of using these devices which is that a person using these alternative sources of energy can also earn by selling out the excess energy to their national grid. The government promotes the use of these devices as they are harmless to the environment and the users can also receive rewards and recognition for using them. These are 100% pollution free and using them will mean that you are also contributing towards the welfare of the environment.

Once you get your solar PV light panel, the next thing is to decide the place to install it. The best place to install it will be your home’s roof top. As it will require a continuous beam of sunlight falling on it, it is better to place it on a location that receives efficient sunlight during every part of the day. For home use, small solar light panels are enough for fulfilling the energy needs of your home. Also it will give you an idea about your energy requirements, how much output can be obtained from it, how much time it takes for recovering the total cost of the device, how to go for it if you want to supply the excess energy to your national grid and much more.

When you get familiarized with all these facts, you can think of getting a bigger frame. But before calling the solar PV installers, also consider the space available to you. Depending upon the space available, you can decide the number of panels you can accommodate on your roof top. Not necessarily the roof top, you can also utilize other open spaces near your house like your garden, backyard, etc. Just make sure that the areas receive adequate sunlight and are free from the shade of the trees and nearby buildings.

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Do your bit to save the environment


Due to the rising cost of electricity, people have come to realize the importance of the renewable sources of energy. Many home owners as well as corporate offices are incorporating various devices into their homes that work on natural resources like solar water heaters, solar cookers, wind turbines, etc. It not only cuts our electricity expenses but also supports the environment.

How the use of wind turbines can make a difference

The natural sources of energy can be utilizes in many ways. A domestic wind turbine is the perfect example of that. It is very evident how human beings are harming the environment in which they live. Producing your own energy, that too using natural non-harmful energy resources will mean that you are cutting on the carbon content that you emit into the atmosphere. Once you install the device, you will get a continuous supply of energy. Nature has gifted you with unlimited and totally free wind energy. Now, it depends on you whether you utilize it or not.

Except the initial installation cost, you do not have to spend anymore on the apparatus as it requires no or very less maintenance. There are other ways too by which homemade electricity can be produced like by burning fossil fuels. But then again, the burning of fossil fuels will emit lots of carbon dioxide in the form of smoke and excessive heat, which both affect the environment in a bad way.

Earlier, the domestic wind turbine was huge and bulky which made it very difficult to handle and install. It required a lot of space to be installed. The new kind of wind turbines are no more like that. They are light weight and smaller in size due to which they can be easily installed on the rooftop. Though they cannot fully replace the other source of energy, yet they are worth the cost and effort. You can combine it with other forms of energy for a complete backup energy solution.

If you are worried about their cost, then be at ease as these devices have become very inexpensive now. Previously, only hobbyists and the people living in villages and far flung areas who had very less requirements of electric energy used this equipment but due to various reasons, it is used more commonly now. It can either be purchased or can be assembled by getting the basic components required from a hardware shop. It would cost you less than $200. This is the onetime cost and after that, you don’t have to spend anything on it! Assembling them is very easy and you can get a ‘do it yourself’ guide from the shop itself or you can download it from the internet.

Check your home’s aptness for a wind turbine

As the wind turbine will require a speedy wind, just make sure that the area where you live gets these speedy winds during a significant part of the year. These can be installed in homes, villas or any kind of structures. If you are thinking of installing a bigger project of turbines, you will need almost an acre of land space. Turbines with bigger blades can easily be installed in this much of area.