Stanton Homes - Building Green in the Triangle: April 2009

Raleigh NC New Homes

The Basics of Geothermal Heating

Why Geothermal Makes Sense - and What Geothermal is All About

Special thanks to Brant Wurster of Sustainable Building Solutions for contributing this great article on Geothermal systems.

Here's what Sustainable Building Solutions has to say:

Thinking Geothermal?

Getting Started with Geothermal

Ever wonder "what is Geothermal"?  Do you try to change the subject if someone says the word, in an effort not to seem eco-igno?   Maybe you associate all things "geo" with the rock collection you had as a child.  Or perhaps could you expect to track seismic readings from the mechanical room in your house?  What does the ground have to do with the heating and cooling system in your house anyway?

Here is the skinny on the environmental counter culture know as geothermal.  

Geothermal - It's all Greek

The word "Geothermal" is derived from the Greek words Geo (earth) and Therme (heat).  

Yes, it's that simple.  Take the heat from the earth and move it into your house or business.  The ground maintains a constant temperature all year around at about 60 degrees Farenheit.  This is warmer than the air in the winter and cooler that the air in summer. 

So by using this favorable temperature difference you can greatly reduce the cost of your heating and cooling bills.  By greatly we mean 40-70%!  It's also possible to save up to 30% on your water heating costs.  Carpe Diem!

Geothermal is Environmentally Sound

Want to get out of the greenhouse?  Greenhouse gases, that is.  You could make a difference by planting forests in the "back 120,000" or just install a geothermal heat pump in your home.

According to geoexchange.org a typical 3-ton residential geothermal system produces an average of about one pound less Carbon Dioxide (CO2) per hour of use than a conventional system.

To put that in perspective, over an average 20-year lifespan, 100,000 units of nominally sized residential geothermal systems will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 1.1 million metric tons of carbon equivalents.

That would be the equivalent of converting about 58,700 cars to zero-emission vehicles, or planting more than 120,000 acres of trees.

That's why according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for temperature control.    

Geothermal - 50 Years and Counting

Geothermal systems have been in use for over 50 years now.  So you don't have feel like part of a science experiment to have one in your home or business.  In fact over the past few years there have been significant advances in the materials and equipment at the heart of these systems.  New systems available today are extremely efficient and reliable. 

Geothermal Can Hem Your Pockets

Geothermal systems can seem expensive because of the higher up front cost.  But they typically have the lowest life cycle cost of any system.  In many situations you can realize the saving in as little as 5 years.  Pair this with the 30% tax credit Uncle Sam provides and you're in the "green" quicker than you think. At the same time they add value to your home because of the decreased costs of energy bills.

This means you can be "Mr. Smarty Pants" with out the cumbersome discomfort of over sized pockets.

For more information, please contact:

Brant Wurster

HVAC & Geothermal Manager

Sustainable Building Solutions

www.buildinggreennc.com

bwurster@buildinggreennc.com

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

Green Homes Raleigh NC

NC Utility Companies Adding New "Green" Incentives

Combine with State and Fed Tax Rebates

Going green is getting less expensive for Triangle homeowners!

PSNC Energy "Green" Home Programs

PSNC Energy is offering rebates on installation of energy efficient gas and water heaters.  Not only that, but Energy Star homeowners can save .05/therm, or about 5%, on their monthly energy bills. 

Progress Energy "Green" Incentives

Progress Energy is working on more incentive programs - here's what they already offer:

Home Energy Check - a comprehensive residential energy analysis that can show homeowners where they might best save.

Lower My Bill ToolKit - a 5 step process to help identify ways to save energy.  And lower energy use reduces greenhouse emissions, as well as use of natural resources like coal. 

Home Appliance Energy Calculator - learn which of your household appliances use the most energy, and what can be done to reduce energy usage.

Energy Star Discounts - The Home Advantage program encourages homebuyers to consider an ENERGY STAR qualified home, AND offers a 5% monthly discount on power costs. 

Find out more about what homeowners are doing in the Raleigh area - News & Observer article.  Or ask your new home builder what they can do to make your home more energy efficient, and what tax credits are available!

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

Accessible Homes Raleigh NC

Wheelchair Accessible Baths - Design Options

Triangle Area Universal Design and Accessible Homes

One of the most important rooms in an accessible or universal design home is the bathroom.  What an essential room, and often the room that needs the most reassessment to meet any special needs!

We'll go over the different aspects of an accessible bathroom, including counters, showers or tubs, sinks, toilets, and much more.  Today's article focuses specifically on accessible showers.

Accessible Bathrooms - Shower Design and Use

There are several ways a standard shower can be redesigned into an accessible shower.

Full Turning Radius Accessible Showers

Some needs may require a full 5'x5' turning radius inside the shower. 

In these cases, the shower can often be specially designed and completed with custom tile work - and may require the bathroom space be expanded.   

All this can be done by a custom home builder experienced with accessible designs and floor plan modifications. 

Multi-piece fiberglass accessible showers are also available by special order.  These accessible showers are often planned to have no rim, ie a chair can roll directly into the shower.  

Transfer Accessible Showers

Other accessible showers may be set up with a planned transfer from wheelchair or other vehicle to a built-in or stand alone shower seat. 

These showers can have a rim at floor level similar to a standard shower.  A threshold ramp can still allow easy access for the chair if necessary.

Transfer accessible showers can come in multiple sizes - anything from a standard "bathtub" size of 60"x36" to an extended 72"x49" fiberglass multi-piece shower.

A fiberglass shower will be less expensive than a custom tile shower, but any special order costs should also be considered. 

Hand Held Shower Head

A hand held shower head can be much easier to use and direct than a standard shower head.  There are many different varieties of shower heads to match different styles and budgets. 

A yoga glide bar allows the shower held to be held in place at adjustable heights. 

The showerhead can also be removed from the glide bar and adjusted by hand.

Hand held shower heads and glide bars can be found in chrome, brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, and other finishes.

Shower Seat or Bench

An accessible shower offers either an attached or detached shower seat or bench.  A universal design shower seat can be constructed of wood, plastic, or metal, with cushion, plastic, or wood seats.

A fold down shower seat attached to the wall of the shower can come in different widths and lengths for comfort. 

Most seats are either 18" or 23" in width.

A shower seat or bench can be a great accessory even in a standard shower, particularly with aging in place in mind.

Shower Grab Bars

Again, a shower grab bar can be a useful accessory for a wide variety of needs.

Shower grab bars can be installed vertically or horizontally, depending on the specific needs and requirements. 

Grab bars should always support at least 250 pounds of weight. 

The diameter of a grab bar should be 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches.

In order for grab bars to provide correct support, they should be installed into studs and not unsupported walls.  Your accessible homes builder can provide additional blocking and framing in the shower and bath area to support any necessary grab bars. 

Grab bars can be white, chrome, brightly colored, or finished in alternate finishes, depending on taste and budget. 

Other accessible bathroom features will be covered in future articles.

Finding an Accessible Home

Considering building an accessible or universal design home?  Go over our easy checklist of accessible features!

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

How will you celebrate Earth Day on April 22?

Lobby for Sustainable Energy Initiatives in North Carolina!

The NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) will be at the North Carolina General Assembly for the 2009 Sustainable Energy Lobby Day on Wednesday, April 22 in Raleigh, between 9 am and 2:30 pm.

In an effort to educate legislators, NCSEA's individual and business members, as well as other interested citizens, are encouraged to visit the General Assembly to talk with legislators about our emerging new energy economy and the need to pass priority sustainable energy legislation during this year's legislative session.

Sustainable Energy solutions can include:

- Solar Photovoltaic Power

- Solar Hot Water Heaters

- Geothermal Heat Pumps

- Certified Green Homes and Buildings

Elected officials are more likely to vote for sustainable energy bills if they meet face-to-face with North Carolina residents and newcomers who are involved in the sustainable energy/green industry and hear their personal stories.  NCSEA is asking for help in giving our legislators a real sense of how important it is to:

- Promote renewable energy and energy efficiency

- Grow NC's sustainable energy industry 

- Create thousands of green jobs

Click here to register if you

 plan to participate at the

Sustainable Energy Lobby Day.

People who register will receive additional information regarding the upcoming Lobby Day next week. 

Click here to learn more about NCSEA's public policy work and all energy-related legislation that has been introduced thus far at the NC General Assembly.

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

Raleigh NC New Homes

Geothermal Heat Pumps - What Are the Benefits?

Going Green In Your Triangle New Home

Special thanks to Johnny Vaughan of Bowman Mechanical Services Inc in Garner NC for sharing this information on Geothermal Systems!

Here's what Bowman Mechanical Services has to say:

How Much Does a Geothermal Heat Pump Save?

Geo = Earth

Thermal = Heat

Geothermal heat pumps use stable ground temperatures for home heating and cooling.  According to the EPA, the geothermal systems can save 40 percent to 70 percent on home heating and 20 percent to 50 percent on home cooling costs over conventional sytems, although installation costs are higher. 

Geothermal Facts

If one in twelve California homes installed a geoexchange system, the energy savings would equal nine new power plants.

Current geoexchange installations equal 14 million barrels of crude oil saved per year.

Putting a geoexchange system in a typical home is equal in greenhouse gas reduction to taking two cars off the road.

Global Movement Towards Geothermal Heat Pump Systems

The United States was the world leader in GHP technology and market development from the 1980s to the early 2000s, but today GHP shipments in Europe are believed to be 135,000 to 190,000 units annually compared to 60,000 in the United States.

Asian Countries embrace Geothermal, Europe surpasses U.S. production

Rapid market growth is also reported in Asia, especially China and South Korea, owing to supportive government policies, including GHPs being highlighted at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Geothermal Heat Pumps - How Do They Work?

A heat pump-like an air conditioner or refrigerator-moves heat from one place to another.

In the summer, a geothermal heat pump (GHP) operating in a cooling mode lowers indoor temperatures by transferring heat to the ground.

Unlike an air conditioner, though, a heat pump's process can be reversed.

In the winter, a GHP extracts heat from the ground and transfers it inside. Also, the GHP can use waste heat from summer air-conditioning to provide virtually free water heating.

The energy value of the heat moved is typically more than three times the electricity used in the transfer process. GHPs are efficient and require no backup heat because the earth stays at a relatively moderate temperature throughout the year.

Geothermal Heat Pumps Include Three Major Parts

The GHP system includes three major components: a ground loop (buried piping system), heat pump itself (inside the building), and a heating and cooling distribution system.

The earth-coupled (or closed-loop) GHP uses sealed horizontal or vertical pipes as heat exchangers through which water, or water and antifreeze, transfer heat to or from the ground.

Because of their versatility, earth-coupled systems dominate the GHP market. Typical loop installations for the earth-coupled systems are expected to work for 50 years.

Applications of geothermal technology include:

most building types, combined geothermal piping/well fields, hot water recovery, radiant heating, snow melting, Refrigeration equipment, optimized pumping, lake rejection and process cooling.

Geothermal Heat Pumps use the only renewable energy resource on the planet that cannot be depleted

Only through the use of alternative energy will we be able to meet energy demand increase and reverse the growing carbon footprint that many suggest is on a path to catastrophic climate change. Heating and air conditioning account for over 43% of the building energy cost and CO2 emissions in the U.S. 

Power generation to meet electricity needs will be the biggest driver of higher energy demand representing more than 40% of the increase while fossil-base fuels will continue to provide the supplies for this demand with oil and gas close to 60%. Demand for coal will grow as the demand of electricity in developing countries rise.

Geothermal & CO2 Gases

Emission of "greenhouse gases" into the environment has become an increasing concern. Deregulation of the electrical market will allow consumers to select power suppliers that utilize "green power." Geothermal power is classed as "green power" and has lower emissions of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour of electricity than even the cleanest of fossil fuels, natural gas.

However, previously published estimates of carbon dioxide emissions are relatively old and need revision. This study estimates that the average carbon dioxide emissions from geothermal and fossil fuel power plants are:

geothermal 0.18

coal 2.13

petroleum 1.56

natural gas 1.03

pounds of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour respectively.

Geothermal Is Part of the Solution

Nobel-Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change In 2007 identified the building sector as having the highest Green House Gas emissions, but also the best potential for dramatic emissions reductions.

GHPs were specifically identified as a solution that is economically feasible under certain circumstances in continental and cold climates, and cases were cited where total electricity use decreased by one third and heating energy use by 50 to 60 percent.

Special Thanks to Bowman Mechanical Services, 919-772-6460, Garner NC. 

About Bowman Mechanical Services: We are a full line American Standard, Florida heat pump and Climate Master dealer with an alternative brand, Goodman, for the more budget conscious.  We have an expertise and consider ourselves (as do our peers!) the most qualified company in the area to install GEOTHERMAL heat pump systems.  With over 700 of these systems to our credit in the last 25 years, we have developed an expertise unmatched.

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

Ever think about going tankless?

What are the real advantages of a tankless water heater?

Michelle Silvis is a showroom manager and plumbing product expert at Wilkinson Supply Company in Raleigh, NC.  Stanton Homes thanks her for sharing some great information on tankless water heaters!  Here's what she has to say about this green home feature:

Finding New Places To Save Money Every Year - While Being Green

With the current economy encouraging everyone to look at their budgets and monthly expenses under a detailed microscope, few are looking to their home as a place to save some green.

But by doing a little research and exploring the efficiencies of their residence, homeowners can easily save hundreds of dollars a year, simply by rethinking the items that are closest to them.

Water Heaters Can Make a Big Dent in an Energy Budget

The water heater is a perfect example. Up to 30% of the home's energy budget is devoted to it, though most of us never give it a passing thought. While not on the forefront of the mind throughout the day, the water heater provides much of the convenience during the morning routine.

Imagine starting your day with cascading ice cubes from your showerhead or having to wince whenever you wash your hands. Having water at the temperature required, exactly at the point needed, is indeed a modern marvel; but could it be more marvelous if it were modernized further?

How Does a Water Heater Work?

A traditional tank water heater operates by heating and storing 20 to 100 gallons of water through the use of electricity, natural gas, or other energy sources. The tank is drained whenever hot water is required and refilled upon depletion. This accounts for why no one wants to be last in line for the shower: the tank needs time to refill.

Tank Water Heater Benefits

But there are some benefits to using a tank heater:

•·         The energy used for heating is consumed at a slower rate

•·         Heat is stored for later use (moderately warm water available quickly)

•·         Temperature fluctuations are fewer at higher temperatures

Compare and Contrast - Tankless Water Heaters

In contrast, tankless water heaters heat the water as it flows through the device and do not retain water internally except for what is in the heat exchanger coil. This allows for a continuous flow of hot water and eliminates the need for "standby loss" or reheating water that has been left to cool during storage. Efficiency is therefore improved due to every drop of heated water being used (vs. heating a large batch and using only a portion of it).

Energy Efficiency - Standard Water Heater vs Tankless Water Heater

Compared to a tank heater's 60% efficiency, a Noritz tankless heater (for example) is 83-94% efficient in bringing water to the desired temperature. That means your utility bill shrinks and your carbon footprint shrinks (700 lbs of carbon dioxide per tank), all while your bath temperature remains piping hot, no matter the number of previous bathers.

Tankless Water Heater Benefits

Other benefits include:

•·         Much simpler to maintain and clean (no internal buildup or rust)

•·         Most last over 20 years, vs. an 8-10 year life expectancy for a tank heater

•·         No landfill presence (while tanks must be discarded, tankless heaters can be easily broken down, reworked, and recycled)

Where is Tankless Water Heater Usage Heading?

The downside is that tankless heaters are traditionally more expensive. But, as general opinion shifts toward leaner, greener products, so too must our public officials and public policy.

Current estimates place tankless heater use at 80% by 2019. To encourage this trend, a federal tax credit is available (up to $1,500) for most tankless purchases throughout 2009 and 2010, not counting local utility rebate programs that may be offered.

But an efficient heater, combined with the federal tax credit, and the long-established three R's of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle can combine to dramatically shrink your utility bill by 25-50% and help ease some of your financial worries.

Special thanks to Michelle Silvis and Wilkinson Supply Company for this information on tankless hot water heaters.  For energy efficient appliances and fixtures, contact Wilkinson Supply - they'll be able to compare and contrast many different models and features, to ensure you have the best product for your needs.

Wilkinson Supply Company - Raleigh
3300 Bush Street Raleigh, NC 27609
PHONE - 919-834-0395

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas