Showing posts with label Zero Energy Buildings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zero Energy Buildings. Show all posts

Monday, 5 February 2018

Solar Grid Tie System

Solar PV systems offer lots of benefits to residential and commercial property owners, most remarkably ensures them a renewable and low-cost energy source for usage. However, a few extra benefits will be available based on the type of solar power system you select, and it is necessary to consider the positive and negative aspects of solar on Grid systems and off-grid systems, in order to choose the best option that is perfect for you.

Solar Grid Tie systems are the most familiar and standard type of solar PV system in use throughout the world. This type of power system keeps connected, or “tied” to the local electrical grid and sends excess power back to it for earning revenue from SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits). The solar on Grid systems are capable to maintain power supply even when the solar PV panels don’t get enough sun exposure and can’t produce the adequate amount of energy to meet the needs. The residential or commercial property that is installed with a solar Grid Tie system is often rewarded by the local utility company for the extra power generation. As long as the solar PV panels produce electricity for the user consumption without any grid supply, the power will be free of cost. Even if the house or business consumes more power than the generated amount, it will be billed at a discount on the local electricity rates for extra consumption through the grid.



Determining the right size of your solar grid-tie system is a lot easier than an off-grid system as the local power company maintains all the power-related details for you. There are different ways that you can find a right solar system of this kind. You can look at electricity bills for several months to find out how much is your monthly electricity consumption in kWh and target a solar on a Grid system that would meet your average electricity needs per month.  

Once you are done with this, you may like to know how small or large a solar on-grid system will be or to make sure that you have enough space on the ground or roof to accommodate a system like this. Your electrician may recommend you a few things to bring down your power usage or replace the existing appliances in your home to make it more energy efficient.

If your local power supply company follows a tiered billing structure which means you are charged a specific rate for baseline usage and then bigger rates for exceeding that baseline or using a certain percentage of power over the baseline, you should select a solar grid-tie system that reduces the over usage and higher electricity rates which results in a greater savings on your investment. The below-given steps will help you easily determine the right size of solar grid-tie system you need for your building.

  1. Know your average electricity usage per month by going through your electricity bill for several months.  It will be mentioned in kWh.
  2. Calculate your average electricity usage per day (divide your monthly average kWh by 30).
  3. For your location, find the average peak sun hours per day (kWh/sq.m/Day).  
  4. Determine the solar grid-tie system size (AC kW) to meet 100% of your electricity usage (divide your daily average electric usage by the daily average peak sun hours for your location).
  5. Divide the result in AC by .77 to get a reduced power rating factor for the system components. It may happen due to temperature, wire defect, component ineffectiveness, etc.
  6. Multiply the above result by 1000 to get watts (AC output) of the system.
  7. Divide the alternating current output of a solar on a grid system by the watt of the module that you desire to use in order to know the exact number of modules you need to cover 100% of your electricity needs.
If you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your off the grid home or business, 123 Zero Energy stocks a wide variety of solar grid-tie kits coming with Enphase micro inverters, string inverters, solar panel optimizers that are even ready to install. Each of them comes in a complete package along with the components that you need to start with renewable energy production. Check out the list of solar on grid systems available on 123 Zero Energy along with their pricing, features etc. Call its expert energy consultants at +1(800) 317-9054 to get a recommendation on the right size solar grid-tie system for your home or office immediately!

Sunday, 23 July 2017

Solar Water Heating System

Each time you feel the warmth of the sunrays on the rooftop or courtyard, it reminds you of a natural energy source is always there for the hot water and space heating needs at your home. It is available in an unlimited amount and at free of cost!

You may be aware that it is possible to convert sunlight into electricity using the solar panels, but it may feel shocking & interesting for you that the same can generate heat energy for solar water heating and space heating. Solar water heating is a cost efficient technology in use to produce heat energy in abundance for your domestic or commercial needs. It will save money on utility bills which will ultimately pay for the SWH installation cost.

Selecting the best solar water heating system may not be easy without proper knowledge; it is recommended to seek for a specialist’s help, who has experience of installing the SWHs and providing quick consultation on them. There are two widely used varieties of solar water heating systems available for your choice.  A Passive solar water heating system does not require any pump induced energy but, the natural gravitation force to help the water circulate from collectors to the tank. It has less number of mechanical parts, reduced maintenance/servicing cost and low expenses for initial setup. Whereas an Active solar water heater is a more expensive, yet energy efficient type having pumps and controls to aid in the process of water circulation.

Both of these solar water heating systems include two key components – a solar collector and a water storage tank. The solar collectors capture the sunrays before converting them into heat energy. They can be of the following types:
  • Flat plate collector:  well insulated and glazed collectors following a flat-plate assembly method
  • Evacuated-tube collector: the transparent and energy efficient glass tubes arranged in rows with little scope for heat loss from them.
  • Integral collector or Batch collector: a system made of single or multiple tanks or tubes kept in an insulated box for long term water storage. It does not fit cold climates due to the risk of freezing pipes in heavy cold condition.
While looking to pick up the best SWH for your home, you need to review the solar water heating systems from all angles. It is the geographical region, climate condition and your home’s position that will be crucial in deciding which solar heating system will be perfect for you.

The active solar heating systems can make up for your extra expenses with lowered utility bills per month. They can be of the following types:
  • An indirect circulation system uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat into the water storage tank from a nonfreezing fluid circulating in it. This kind of system suits the very cold regions where the temperature may fall drastically to cause the pipes freeze at any time.
  • A direct circulation system uses pumps to let the water circulate through the collectors and then flow back into the storage tank. They function well in mild climates where there is no risk of temperature going below the freezing point.
Passive solar heating systems are normally more reliable, durable, less costly to install, but they are not as efficient as the active ones.  They can again be of two types:
  • A thermo-syphon passive system makes the hot water rise from the collector to the crest of a tank without the use of a pump. In this case the collector is fitted underneath the storage tank to make use of the natural gravitational force.
  • An Integral collector-storage passive system assembles hot water in storage tanks or tubes that are placed inside an insulated box and fits the best in mild weather conditions.
An apparent problem in using solar energy is the lack of control on the weather. If you reside in a dark and cold area with only a few sunny days experienced in a year or there is no south facing roof in your residence then the solar water heating may not prove to be as effective as it should.

If all these details can’t eliminate your doubts or confusion, don’t feel worried at all! Solar water heating systems have been in use for a long time but are not extensively used everywhere, therefore asking for advice and guidance from 123 Zero Energy would be a worthy step to take before looking to invest in one.

To ask your query regarding solar water heating systems or their prices, browse https://www.123zeroenergy.com/solar-hot-water-heaters.html or contacted over phone at 1-800-317-9054!

Tuesday, 25 April 2017

6 Myths And Facts About Geothermal Systems

As the world focusing more on renewable power sources, geothermal energy & systems are getting more importance amongst homeowner’s worldwide. Geothermal energy isn’t just a renewable source and is incredibly eco-friendly, but it’s also the most cost-effective substitute to typical energy supplies.

However, a great deal of info out there on geothermal cooling and heating is based on out dated info, or outright myths. Here in this post we will talk about both the myths and facts regarding geothermal systems.

Myth: Since they employ electricity, geothermal systems aren’t considered as a renewable technology.

Truth: Geothermal systems employ only one unit of electrical energy to produce 5 units of heating or cooling from the earth to your home.

Myth:  Photovoltaic (PV) & wind power are more preferred renewable technologies in comparison to geothermal system.

Truth: Geothermal systems remove 4 times more kilowatt-hours of consumption from the electrical grid per dollar invested than photovoltaic & wind power integrate to the electrical grid. The other technologies out there can play a crucial part, but geothermal is often the most affordable way to decrease environmental effect of conditioning spaces.


Geothermal heat transfer

Myth: Geothermal heat pumps are ear-deafening:

Truth: For your knowledge, geothermal systems operates very quietly and there’s no appliances to bother your neighbors.

Myth: Geothermal systems wear out eventually

Truth: When it comes to lasting, earth loops can last for several generations. The heat exchange appliance usually lasts decades, since it’s sheltered indoors. When it doesn’t require to be substituted, the expenditure is much lesser than placing in a complete new geothermal unit, since the loop is the most expensive to set up. New technical guidance eradicate the problem of thermal storage in the earth, so heat can be interchanged with it obscurely.

Myth: Geothermal system work only in heating mode

Truth: Absolutely wrong! They run just as efficiently in cooling & can be made to need no supplementary backup heat supply if wanted, although some consumers decide that it’s more affordable to own a small backup unit for only the coldest days.

Myth: Geothermal systems consumers too much water:

Truth: In reality there’s no water consumed by geothermal systems. If an aquifer is employed to interchange heat with the ground, all the water is returned to that same geological formation. Earlier, there were some “pump & dump” operations that squandered the water after passing through the heat-exchanger, but today the scenario has changed a lot. When used commercially, geothermal systems actually eradicate millions of gallons of water that’d otherwise have been vaporized in cooling towers in conventional systems.

Hence it is essential to know the true facts and help people understand around you about the positive effects of energy exchanges around us.   So it’s the old saying Geothermal Energy is always Safe and Renewable.

Wednesday, 15 March 2017

Benefits of Domestic Solar Water Heating Systems

The sun is the main source of energy in the solar system. It offers plenty of free and green energy to the earth even though not making it fall evenly everywhere. The large variance in the sunrays available in our planet’s lower and higher altitude has been a cause of concern for household owners.  However, the inventive solar water heating systems are helping them generate sufficient amount of heat energy with the solar collectors for domestic use like water heating, space heating etc. Some of these domestic SWHs are tankless and others have water tanks positioned normally on basement or roof area to   store water for the future.



What Actually are Domestic Solar Water Heating Systems?



These are solar powered heating systems technically designed with components like solar collectors, heat exchangers, pump and controller for domestic applications. Based on an effective technology and taking in free source of energy, the domestic solar water heating systems bring a significant reduction in the utility bill as well as carbon footprint. There are flat plate SHWs and evacuated tube collector SHWs which homeowners can choose and mount on their wall or roof. They can also be integrated with any existing hot water systems for assured performance.



Basically, domestic solar water heating systems are capable to meet around 0.33% of the total hot water demands of a 4 member family. More elaborately, investing in a solar water heating system will lower the annual energy bills by £55 -80 for a three-bedroom home in a semi-detached state. The solar water heating system users also qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) program, which is mainly designed by local government to reward financially and encourage households to heat their homes with solar energy.



How Do Domestic Solar Water Heating Systems Function?


Domestic SHWS gather the heat coming from the sun through solar collectors which are normally fitted to the roof at the best angle to receive maximum possible sunlight. They can even be placed on wall or ground to get high exposure to the sunrays. An immersion boiler or heater can be used along with them to raise the water temperature whenever required.



The solar thermal collectors used in SHWs are of two types: evacuated tubes collectors and flat plate collectors. They differ in configuration but have the same function. The evacuated tubes collectors contain highly insulated and replaceable vacuum tubes assorted in different sizes to fit domestic heating needs whereas the flat panels contain inexpensive flat glazing collectors which look like solar PV panels and are installed on the room for energy absorption and heat generation.



In the installation of SHWs, routing is done from the collectors to a hot water tank using high insulate pipes. The unheated water from the bottom of the tank is pumped and flown through the collectors so that it can receive the generated water and go back to the top of the hot water tank storage.



 Top Benefits of Domestic SHWS


  • They ensure hot water around the year.
  • They lower energy consumption for domestic hot water needs.
  • They bring down carbon emission and keep the environment safe.
  • In comparison to other renewable energy heating solutions, domestic solar water heating systems have great durability and reduced maintenance expenses.
  • There is little extra cost involved in SWHs apart from the initial purchase cost and installation charges.
  • The domestic solar thermal systems work flawlessly with any existing hot water boiler or heating system or heating pumps
  • They enable homeowners to earn Renewable Heat Incentive for production of renewable energy.



If you live in arctic zone and need effective heating technology to support your daily life, special solar water heating systems of 123 Zero Energy would be very helpful. They can not only survive arctic temperature but also ensure maximum heating performance while turning off/on the pump as required. To enjoy hot water baths and laundry at your home in all the seasons with reduced energy bills, order domestic solar water heating systems on 123 Zero Energy today!  



To enquire about solar water heating packages, 123 Zero Energy can be called on 1-800-317-9054!

Monday, 6 February 2017

How Does Solar Grid Tie System Work ?

On-grid systems or solar grid-tie systems are the solar PV systems that only generate power whenever the utility power grid is available. In fact, they must connect to a power grid to operate. Whenever you are overproducing power, these systems can send excessive power generated back to the grid for later applications. Now-a-days most of the solar systems are installed fall into the grid tie category. They are directly tied into the existing electrical grid and need that the electrical grid is running for the solar system to generate electricity. 

Hence, it’s much more efficient to be hooked to the utility grid than other available options. If you’ve solar grid tie system, you can able to produce more energy during the sunny days and build up energy credits. However, the ultimate goal of the solar powered system on the grid is to produce as much power over a twelve month period as you utilize. 

How Does On the Grid System Work During a Sunny Weather -

Solar systems generate electricity silently without any moving parts. During the sunny day, the sunlight directly falls on the solar array and then generates DC energy. After that, the DC energy will be converted into household 120V AC electricity through the inverter. After the generation of AC electricity, it will be fed into your electric meter and circuit breaker panel. Then, the electricity for your household either goes to your lights and appliances or to the grid. All these processes happen silently and on an automatic way daily. 


1040-watt-on-grid-solar-pv-package

How Does On the Grid Work at Night or a Cloudy Day -

During cold weather and at night, the output of the solar powered system is reduced or stopped. But your home will get the necessary electricity supply from the utility grid. This means, your power supply system is always connected to the grid so that you can have as much power as you need any time whenever it’s needed; regardless of whether the solar system is able to put out any power. 

Besides, a standard grid tie system will not produce power unless and until the grid power is available during a utility power breakdown. If this is the issue, you can utilize grid tie system with battery backup. When utility grid power is available, the system works like a standard grid tie system and sends excess power back to the utility. Again when the utility power fails, the battery backup can allow the solar array to continue to supply power to the home during the day time and can supply selected circuits within your home during the night. Once the utility grid system starts up, the system switches back to its normal operation automatically! 

1040-watt-on-grid-solar-pv-package


Conclusion -

For many people, a grid tie solar system is the key to ensuring long-term security and providing a good investment alternative to businesses, farm or home. Even, the systems can offer low maintenance costs as there are fewer components that may need to be replaced in the future. Therefore, it’s time to take a look at solar on grid systems or solar grid tie on 123 Zero Energy and make an investment suiting best your budget and daily requirements. For immediate availability, get in touch with 123 Zero Energy on 1-800-317-9054!

Tuesday, 27 December 2016

Why Make Use Of Solar Water Heating?

Using solar energy to heat your water can be be rewarding in more than one ways. In general, there’re various reasons to make use of solar power for water heating. let’s have a look at few of them:

Energy Dependence:

Exploiting solar power can decrease your reliance on the utility, and also the companies that supply fossil fuel to you. In fact it aids decrease the country’s dependence on the overseas power sources. Solar power is as dependable as acquiring your energy from the utility. As long as the sun’s shinning, you have got energy. Many individuals with solar hot water merely need to employ the utility for backup, and at times not even that. Nevertheless, power independence could be a really pleasing experience.

Environmental Effect:

It’s a reality that the mainstream of our power avails from burning fossil fuels. This guides to an extensive range of environmental issues, encompassing human sourced weather change, acid precipitation, mountaintop exclusion for coal & tar sands, and wellbeing effects around power-plants. The employment of nuclear power & its long-established byproducts is a crucial problem to many.
But why we should jeopardize our environment, when we can maximize the sun’s energy which comes to the earth freely, and ready to be employed for our personal energy requirements? With the little exemption of having to make the appliances required to detain sun’s heat, there’s no environmental impact from making solar-power at our homes.

Financial Advantages:

When you think to employ solar to substitute part of what you had been utilizing the utility for, that avails with monetary savings over your utility expenditure. Solar-electric, as renowned as it’s, doesn’t feature as high an energy & cash savings per amount invested as does solar water heating. It’s very straight-forward to notice 50 to 100 percent savings on your overall bill, assisting systems to recover the actual investment in five years. The time largely depends on your local solar supplies and how much utility power costs.

Just like other energy technologies, there’re often monetary bonuses to make the first investment even more appealing. For solar hot water they may encompass state & federal tax credits, and regional, state, and utility rebates.

The basic part in domestic solar heating units encompass:
  • Collectors to carry temperature from the sun & pass it to a liquid
  • The temperature transfer fluids which carries the heat from the collector for storage or use.
  • Heat exchanger to convey the temperature from the fluid to a home’s domestic water.
  • Pump to shift the fluid via the collector or the exchanger, and at times to shift the domestic water via the other side of the heat exchanger.
  • Controllers to operate the pump when there’s collector heat accessible.
To harness the energy of sun for your domestic hot water purpose, buy domestic solar water heating system manufactured by 123 ZeroEnergy. If you have any doubt, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-317-9054!

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Top Quality Geothermal Systems

Are you aware of geothermal energy and its benefits? The geothermal energy is considered to be the most efficient and environmentally friendly sources of sustainable energy. Often termed as the earth heat, the geothermal energy is not created, but moved from inside the earth to provide houses with effective heating, cooling and warm water supply via using well designed geothermal systems.

It is found that in Canada and USA, most of the homeowners are relying on geothermal heating or cooling systems. This type of system utilizes a heat pump technology to pull out the heat from the ground and offer a great heating and cooling solution for your home or business.

Why to opt for geothermal energy?
  • Opting for geothermal energy will prove good for the environment
  • You will enjoy a reliable source of renewable energy
  • Get assurance of saving up to 80 % over conventional energy usage
The geothermal heating and cooling systems are becoming popular among the homeowners and businesses in Canada, USA and all over the world, because of their high performance and many other profitable features.

Let us explore the some great advantages of choosing geothermal heating and cooling systems for your home or business:

1. Lowers the Operating Cost:

It is found that the most efficient gas furnace has an efficiency rating of 98%, whereas the geothermal heating or cooling systems delivers a 400% efficiency rating. The geothermal heating or cooling systems normally transfer heat without using any kind of fuel to create it. This efficient use of transferring energy results in significantly lowering the operating costs.

2. Offers Renewability Solution:

One of the environmentally friendly and the most effective systems, the geothermal heating and cooling systems are can be installed at your property to enjoy a great level of comfort without any fuel consumption or producing any kind of pollution. Unlike other comfort systems the geothermal heating or cooling systems does not emit carbon monoxide, greenhouse gases, which leaves no chance for carbon-monoxide poisoning.

3. Assurance of Durability:

Normally a well designed and top quality geothermal heating and cooling systems have a lifespan of 15-20 years. This will offer you enjoy 15-20 years of savings, which will allow in saving 30% to 70% over the electric methods.

4. Enjoy the Highest Return on Investment:

Installing geothermal heating and cooling systems will prove to a great investment for every home or business owner as these systems require almost no maintenance (beyond filter changes and basic checks). Due to the environmental impact and long term saving, the geothermal heating and cooling systems are adding a great value to every home.

123 ZeroEnergy offers pre-engineered and well designed geothermal systems that offer the highest standard of energy efficient solution for your home or business. We are proud to be recognized as Canada’s leading supplier geothermal solutions that believes in helping people to enjoy a zero energy home concept. Our geothermal heating and cooling systems are available in prepackaged energy kits, which ensures simple, easy and cost-effective DIY installation. 

 
To get custom designed geothermal heating and cooling systems, contact us today at 1-800-317-9054.

Monday, 5 September 2016

Important Facts About Domestic Water Heating

Solar water heating is an ideal way to utilize energy of the sun. That’s why solar water heaters are used for multitude of heating purposes. With the use of advanced vacuum tube collectors, solar water heaters can work very well even in the temperature of minus 40 degrees. Usually, the heating systems come up with a special solar glycol heating fluid which can make the system work in artic temperatures and also at a high temperature up to 480F. In general, heat is captured in the collectors and transferred into a specialized solar water tank that is equipped with an internal heat exchanger at the bottom of the tank. Then, the heat energy is again transferred indirectly to the use for hot water use. If it’s not in use, it can be stored in the heavily insulated tank.


Domestic Solar Water Heating Equipments: -


The specifically designed solar storage tanks have a back up of 4.5 KW heating elements in the middle of the tank. It will let the tank to provide hot water 100 % even when the sun is not shining at all. 


 

Specific Features: -

  • G-Glass porcelain fused-to-steel is imperviable to caustics and chlorine
  • 1” NPT connection
  • 2 Magnesium anodes factory installed brass drain valve
  • 2” Non-CFC zero ozone depleting foam insulation
  • 4.5 KW electric element with temperature control facility
  • Internal temperature probes for both top and bottom tank temperature
  • Factory installed T & P valve precision manufactured tank equipped with high quality steel assuring strength and durability

Size Of Solar Water Heating System: -


Each and every home is different from each other in terms of number of occupancies and the habits of occupants. However, the length of use of showers plays a key role in how much hot water a home consumes on an average. As per general guidelines, each occupant consumes on an average of 20 gallons of hot water per a day. So a family of 4 people will need up to 80 gallons of hot water.

When thinking about buying solar water heating systems, keep in mind that storage tank should be equal size as per the number of collectors. Hence, the thumb rule is a better choice,when it comes to choosing the storage tank size. Most of the tanks come up in sizes like 50, 80, 119 gallons. When you need a storage tank for large homes, you can add multiple storage tanks and run them in parallel. 
 

Conclusion: - 
 

Are you looking to buy solar water heater for domestic purposes? You should check out the kits available for solarwater heating on 123 Zero Energy and choose the one best suiting your needs and budget. For info about installation of our solar water heating kits, browse our website today or feel free to contact online!