Technology

Smart Home Technologies

While the idea of ‘smart’ homes has been around for decades, the technology is now readily available and more efficient than ever. More and more homeowners are upgrading to smart homes for energy conservation, comfort and convenience.

  • Systems that allow homeowners to control lighting, HVAC systems automatically and remotely.
  • Smart appliances, along with a home network that monitors energy consumption, which switch to lower power mode when not needed.
  • Monitoring systems that analyze energy consumption and help you make informed decisions about energy conservation measures

Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal heating and cooling systems can increase energy efficiency and decrease your home’s impact on the environment. The system involves ground-source heat pumps using heat from the earth’s interior to heat and cool a home and provide hot water. Not far below the earth’s surface the temperature is 50 degrees year round. This constant temperature can be used during both summer and winter temperature extremes.

Tubes are installed in the ground and water circulates through them, before entering the home to either heat or cool the space. Although, there is an initial expense to install a geothermal HVAC system, the resulting energy bills are a fraction of the cost to heat or cool a home in a traditional manner. What’s more, these geothermal systems do not directly add to carbon dioxide emissions because they are electrically powered.

Radiant Floorings

Radiant floor heating systems are ideal for rooms were comfort is a main objective

  • Hydronic radiant floor systems pump heated water through tubing laid in loops beneath the finished floor. The heated water flowing through the tubes heats the surrounding air and flooring material.
  • Above floor systems are installed above the sub floor and below the finished floor. These systems use a grooved wood panel installed beneath the finished floor, and perform well under tile, marble, vinyl, wood and carpeting.
  • Below floor systems are installed under the subfloor. This system is often used for retrofits and require a higher source temperature to perform equivalently to an above floor system.

Depending on the system you select, a 20- to 40-percent reduction in heating bills is possible.

Tankless Water Heaters

A tankless water heater heats water on demand without using a storage tank. This type of water heater avoids the standby heat losses associated with stored water.

  • Tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. Typically, these heaters can provide 2 to 5 gallons of hot water per minute. They are available as electric or gas. Gas varieties usually produce higher flow rates.
  • It is important to determine your hot water needs when considering a tankless heater. Options include a whole-house system or two or more tankless water heaters, connected in parallel for simultaneous demands of hot water. Separate heaters can also be installed for appliances such as a clothes washer or a dishwasher.

Wind Turbines

A wind turbine collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity compatible with a home’s electrical system. A wind turbine is an option to consider for rural areas, large lots or bluffs. Because of its nature, the use of wind turbines is normally regulated by local jurisdiction. If economics are a concern, a turbine is typically installed where winds average at least 10 mph and energy costs are more than 10 cents/kWh.

  • A wind turbine can generate 50 to 90 percent of required power. It is not uncommon for wind turbine owners with total-electric homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the year.
  • Over its lifespan, a residential wind turbine can offset approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and other gases that cause climate change).

Solar Panels and Heating

Solar panels are becoming more popular as the development for alternative energy sources expands. Energy created through a solar electric system produces no pollutants. Even the smallest system typically cuts greenhouse gas emissions as effectively as 50 trees.

  • Solar panels are an option no matter if you live in cities, suburbs or rural areas. Even homes that receive less sunlight can benefit from solar panels. What’s more, the price of purchasing and installing these panels has become more reasonable as the technology has improved and popularity has grown.
  • Solar panels are a series of solar cells wired together into strings and enclosed in self-contained glass units to protect them from harsh weather. Solar cells are mounted into groups called modules, which are then connected together via cables. Each produces about 0.5 Volts of current to power lights and appliances.
  • Another alternative energy source is solar water heating; an option to generate hot water for your home. This strategy uses solar collectors that circulate water or other heat-transferring fluids through tubes. This energy goes to a water tank that heats the water. While significantly more expensive than traditional hot water heaters, the entry price is not cost prohibitive.
  • It should also be noted that the federal government offers incentives for installing, as do many state governments, local agencies, and utility companies.

Water Collection Systems

With increasing awareness of water conservation, water collection systems have seen a comeback – in cities, towns and rural areas.

Water collection systems can save you money on your water bills and reduce the strain on municipal water supplies – particularly during the summer when demand is high. Another advantage – collected water does not contain chlorine, lime or calcium, and has less dissolved salts and sediments compared to municipal water. This makes the water more suitable for watering lawns, flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, and for washing windows.

For further information, contact http://www.dwelltechsolutions.com/

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