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alternative energy terms and definitions

geothermal heat pump imagegeothermal heat pump linkground-source heat pump (GSHP):A heat pump system that uses the thermal energy generated from the Earth's constant internal heat. GSHPs circulates a mixture of antifreeze and water through high-density plastic piping through closed loops buried in the ground. The ground's heat is absorbed through this circulation method and transferred back to the heat pump system. This process makes the heat pump more energy-efficient to operate; compared to a unit that relies on seasonal air temperatures.
air filter imageair filter linkpressure drop:A measurement in inches of water column (W.C.) depicting the static pressure of air flow passing through an air filtration device or media. This is also dependent on the amount of CFMs (cubic feet per minute of air flow) a fan or blower is rated, the size of the ducting, and how much actual area (surface and depth) the filter displaces. An undersized or dirty air filter can cause conditioning problems and system failures.
HVAC control imageHVAC control linkelectric heat sequencer:A relay control that stages certain banks of electrical heat as a supplement for heat pump systems. Located in the air handler, these multi-layered devices are usually 24 volt controlled and cycle kilowatts (KW) of electric heat coils in "sequenced" intervals to provide auxiliary heat. The amount of KWs switched on is dependent upon the current temperature demand and the heat pump's ability to supply enough heat to maintain that demand. If you switch the thermostat to the emergency heat setting, the heat pump system de-energizes and the sequencer will stage each bank of electric heaters to the temperature demand. The emergency heat mode is only recommended as a backup heat source as it can be very costly to operate over long periods of usage.
HVAC equipment imagegeothermal equipment linkgeothermal ground loop:Underground piping placed adjacent to the general site of the heat pump system. Most loop fields are installed vertically or horizontally in a high density plastic piping layout. The layout design depends on the size and rock density of the property. Close loops systems use the same water that is continuously circulated from the loop field to the heat pump system. Other types of loop fields are next to sources of water or use a direct-exchange method using copper tubing which provides a more effective thermal transfer then plastic tubing. Every design layout is different and an experienced geothermal HVAC contractor can offer different options and methods that would be the most efficient for your property.
geothermal part imagegeothermal part linkgeothermal circulating pump:Mechanical device that circulates heated water from the geothermal loop field to the heat pump system. The water and antifreeze solution circulates through sealed, closed loop piping. Circulating pumps come in various sizes, speeds and voltages for different design applications and volume distributions. Pumps must be properly sized for the volume of water it needs to transfer through the ground loop and the size of the heat pump system. If not sized properly, the heat pump will not perform at its maximum efficiency.
geothermal software imagegeothermal software linkground loop design software:Computer software designed to determine the piping size and layout design of geothermal systems.
geothermal supply imagegeothermal supply linkpolyethylene pipe:(HDPE) High-density thermoplastic piping with a high strength-to-density ratio. In ground-source heat pump systems, this type of piping is used because of its heat transfer capabilities and is corrosion-resistant.
geothermal technical imagegeothermal technical linkvapor compression:A phase change a refrigerant goes through during its cycle. In heat pump terms, this would apply in the process of transferring the heated or cooled air and extracting it elsewhere. This is determined by the heat pump's mode of operation. In the cooling mode (air conditioning), the heated air transfers from the evaporator to the condenser where it is expelled. In the heating mode, the cycle is reversed.
geothermal thermostat imagegeothermal thermostat linkambient temperature:The surrounding air temperature of a localized object. These range from indoor and outdoor temperatures. An indoor temperature controlled by a system that heats or cools the air can also be defined as room temperature.
solar energy imagesolar energy linksolar energy:A form of energy transmitted from the sun. The radiant energy is used by capturing the sun's thermal heat or light to generate electricity.
solar controls imagesolar control linkdifferential temperature control:A solar thermal heating device that controls the pump in closed loop systems. This device prevents the pump from operating if the collectors become cooler than the storage tank. Some models have a fixed differential and others can be manually adjusted for different applications.
solar equipment imagesolar equipment linksolar heating panels:Also called collectors, solar panels trap the heat from the sun and transfers it to water for domestic or boiler (hydronic) use. The solar-heated water transfers to a storage tank. It is energy-efficient to heat the tempered water instead of the cold water that comes directly from a well or municipal water supply.
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solar heating imagesolar heating linkexpansion tanks:These specially designed tanks are engineered for domestic hot-water, hydronic and solar thermal systems to "absorb" excess water pressures. Expansion tanks usually contain a rubber diaphragm, charged with air, that expands due to fluctuating water temperatures and pressures.
solar software imagesolar software linksolar module:A photovoltaic (PV) celled panel used to collect sunlight and convert it to electrical current. Each panel is rated by direct current voltage and can output up to 400 watts of electricity.
solar heating supply imagesolar heating supply linkdiverting valve:Electronic or thermostatically controlled, these valves are used in solar heating applications by directing the flow of heated water to other components.
solar technical imagesolar technical linkthermal conductivity of water:A technical specification used in solar thermal design to determine how rapidly heat transfers from the absorber tubes to the water that flows through them. The simplified calculation of the thermal conductivity of water is the heat being transferred per unit time and per unit surface area, divided by the temperature difference.
waste oil boiler imagewaste oil boiler linkgallons per hour (GPH):Term used to rate the amount of fuel that flows through an oil burner nozzle in one hour at a standard pressure of 100 psi. The proper size of a burner's nozzle should be stamped on the nameplate of the unit.
waste oil furnace imagewaste oil furnace linkfurnace heat exchanger:A sealed metal chamber that is engineered in different sizes and forms depending on the model and type of fuel being burned. Attached to the combustion chamber, the heat and gases generated by the burned fuel travel through the inner part of the exchanger; heating the metal chamber as they pass through it. Air circulated by the furnace's blower, passes through the outer part of the heated exchanger producing warmer air. All internal combustion gases and unused heat are expelled through the chimney.
waste oil Heater imagewaste oil heater linkpotential btu output of waste oil:A BTU or British Thermal Unit is a measurement for the amount of heat generated to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. A gallon of waste vegetable oil generates around 125,000 BTUs. A gallon of waste motor oil produces 150,000 to 180,000 BTUs. Clean #2 fuel oil generates 138,000 - 140,000 BTUs per gallon.
waste oil part imagewaste oil part linkcad cell:Also called a fire-eye or photocell, a cad cell detects the flame emitted by an oil burner. Made from cadmium sulfide, the electrical resistance decreases when exposed to light, or in this instance a flame, to around 75-300 ohms. When the flame is not detected, it "tells" the primary control to shut down the oil burner system keeping unburned fuel from entering the combustion chamber.
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geothermal HVAC air filters imagegeothermal HVAC air filters linkgeothermal hvac air filters
geothermal HVAC controls imagegeothermal HVAC controls linkgeothermal hvac controls
geothermal HVAC equipment imagegeothermal HVAC equipment linkgeothermal hvac equipment and systems
geothermal HVAC parts imagegeothermal HVAC parts linkgeothermal hvac replacement parts
geothermal HVAC software imagegeothermal HVAC software linkgeothermal hvac software and programs
geothermal HVAC supplies imagegeothermal HVAC supplies linkgeothermal hvac supplies and accessories
geothermal HVAC thermostats imagegeothermal HVAC thermostats linkgeothermal hvac thermostats
solar heating controls imagesolar heating controls linksolar heating equipment controls
solar HVAC equipment imagesolar HVAC equipment linksolar heating and ac equipment
solar heating parts imagesolar heating parts linksolar heating replacement parts
solar software imagesolar software linksolar related software and programs
solar heating supplies imagesolar heating supplies linksolar heating supplies and accessories
waste oil fired boiler imagewaste oil fired boiler linkwaste oil fired boilers
waste oil fired furnace imagewaste oil fired furnace linkwaste oil fired furnaces
waste oil fired heater imagewaste oil fired heater linkwaste oil fired heaters
waste oil equipment parts imagewaste oil heating parts linkwaste oil equipment replacement parts
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