For healthy family fun in the summertime, nothing beats the enjoyment of a backyard swimming pool. But hot summer days are numbered, especially if you live in the Northeast, and no one wants to swim in cold, uncomfortable water. So before you dive into an investment this deep, be sure to consider the many benefits of pool heat pumps to keep your water warm and inviting.

One of the most economical and energy-efficient ways to warm an outdoor pool, a pool heat pump uses a small amount of electricity to capture heat from the outside air and transfer it to the pool’s water. Unlike conventional oil or gas pool heaters that generate heat by burning fossil fuels, heat pump pool heaters are environmentally friendly and offer significant benefits for homeowners in the Northeast, from efficient, quiet operation and long-term performance to reduced fuel costs and a longer swimming season.

Starting at around $1,500 for a basic standard unit, pool heat pumps do have a higher start-up price than conventional pool heaters. After the initial purchase and installation, however, these cost-effective heating systems operate at 1/3 the cost of a traditional oil or gas pool heater, saving homeowners serious money on long-term energy usage.

Using the same principles as refrigerators and air conditioners, a swimming pool heat pump pulls water from the pool’s pump as it circulates the pool’s water and passes it through a filter. A fan in the heat pump draws in the outside air and directs it over an evaporator coil. As long as the outside temperature remains above 45°F, liquid refrigerant within the evaporator coil absorbs the heat from the outside air and becomes a gas. The warm gas in the coil then passes through a compressor, which increases the heat, creating a very hot gas that then passes through a condenser. The condenser transfers the heat from the hot gas to the cooler pool water as it circulates through the heater. The heated water then returns to the pool. The hot gas, as it flows through the condenser coil, returns to liquid form and back to the evaporator, where the whole process begins anew.

Pool heat pumps are available for both in-ground and above-ground pools and should be sized according to the pool’s surface area as well as the difference between the pool’s water temperature and the average air temperature. Wind exposure, humidity levels, and night temperatures can also affect the heating load of an outdoor pool. Heat pump pool heaters are rated by Btu output and horsepower (hp), with standard sizes ranging from 3.5 hp/75,000 Btu to 6 hp/125,000 Btu.

The energy efficiency of heat pumps for pools is measured by the coefficient of performance, or COP, and ranges from 3.0 to 7.0, with seven being the maximum. This measurement refers to the relation of electrical energy put in and the amount of heat put out. Typically, manufacturers measure the COP by testing a heat pump heater with an outdoor temperature of 80°F and a pool temperature of 80°F.

With proper installation and maintenance, your heat pump pool heater can offer the utmost in efficiency. It’s best to let a qualified pool professional install your heat pump and perform any complicated maintenance and repairs, particularly the initial electrical hookup. Because of a heat pump’s many moving and electrical parts, periodic service and annual tune-ups should also be done by an experienced pool heating professional.

When you decide to go the solar route, figuring out how you’re going to store energy for use in times when there isn’t enough sunlight to meet your power needs is one of the biggest elements to consider. Your solar panel installer can talk you through the different energy storage options that are available to you. Together, you can decide what’s best for your situation. However, going in to that conversation armed with a basic knowledge of the two basic setups–grid-tied versus battery solar panel systems–will ensure that you and your solar expert are on the same page, and that you make the best-informed decision possible.

A grid-tied solar panel system is, as it sounds like, connected to the general power grid. Because the sun is such a bountiful resource, it’s quite possible that, at times, your solar panels will create more power than you can use. With a grid-tied system, that excess power is converted to AC current via a grid-tie inverter and then is essentially sold to the power company to be used elsewhere. A metering program records how much of your power goes through this process, and you are credited that amount against your monthly electricity bill. On days when there isn’t enough sun shining, you’ll also be able to draw power from the grid to keep your lights on and your appliances running. A grid-tied solar power installation is great if you are using a combination of solar energy and traditionally generated electricity to power your home.

The other commonly used option for how your solar energy is stored is a battery-based system. This is a closed system that is not connected to the power grid. Instead of excess power getting converted into electricity and being sold to the power company, that converted electricity is stored in rechargeable batteries. One of the main benefits of the battery model is that it puts you in total control of your power. You can use the stored electricity whenever you need it, particularly at night or on days when the sun isn’t shining, and at no additional cost. If you decided to install solar panels in order to use solar energy as your primary power source, battery storage is an excellent option.

As a homeowner who is interested in solar panel installation you do not, of course, need to know everything about the subject. However, going in to the process of designing and installing your solar panel system with some basic ideas of the different energy storage options available will help you make well-informed decisions and will make the planning conversations with your solar expert much easier.

Can’t decide which form of pool heating is best for you? Let this comprehensive comparison help you choose between traditional and solar pool heaters.

When it comes to deciding on swimming pools heating technology, you basically have two choices. You can opt for the classic, fuel-dependent pool heating model, or you can choose the modern energy efficiency of a solar heater. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to establish your most important pool heating concerns before making a decision. Whether you own a year-round spa or have an in-ground pool in your backyard, you’ll need to make sure you’re accommodating the highest priorities on your list. Below, the two options are boiled down to reveal the pros and cons of each.

Traditional Pool Heating

Conventional pool-heating technology comes in two basic forms: oil pool heating and gas pool heating. Both of these models are ideal for year-round use, as they are able to heat pools consistently even when the weather dips below 50 degrees. The downside, however, is that they are fairly expensive to operate and do not last very long. Pool chemicals can corrode these traditional pool heaters, making the average lifespan for both a mere 5-8 years. In that short time, the installation and fuel costs of a gas heater can go up to $14,000, while an oil heater’s costs can reach a staggering $20,000. Furthermore, depending on fossil fuels for energy makes you culpable in emitting additional toxins and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Solar Pool Heating

A solar, above-ground pool heater uses the sun’s radiant heat to create warmer water in your pool. A solar heater for pool use will harness the sun’s energy and, with the help of your pool’s water pump, circulate the heated water throughout the pool until every ounce of water is comfortably warm. Once you’ve installed your solar heater, the only additional cost comes from annual winterization maintenance. In fact, you’ll be able to enjoy zero fuel costs for the entire 20-year lifespan of your model! However, the one disadvantage of solar pool heaters is that they are not able to generate sufficient heat in temperatures lower than 50 degrees. Typically, this will limit your pool usage to the months between May and September.

In summation, traditional pools heating technology that requires fuel is the most appropriate option for spa managers or homeowners who require year-round use. On the other hand, solar pool heaters are well within the budget of average homeowners who are content with a five-month swimming season. However, if you want more detailed information regarding your pool heating options, there’s no replacement for the expertise of a local, experienced professional.

Installing solar panels is an environmentally and financially responsible choice for modern homeowners. Not only does solar energy benefit the environment, but it also helps you save on the overall energy costs associated with owning a home and keeping it comfortable.

Home and business owners have a range of reasons for turning to solar energy to power their buildings. Solar power is, of course, associated with various environmental concerns, but it also brings with it a number of economic benefits that are outside of a green agenda. Whatever your reasons for looking into the solar option, a solar power installation expert in your area can take you through the process of designing, installing, and maintaining the necessary panels, and can discuss the various environmental and financial benefits that come with the choice to go solar.

In terms of environmental impact, solar power can play a huge role. Solar power is a clean energy source, meaning that using it does not produce waste products that pollute the environment. Solar energy is also renewable, meaning, in this case, that it does not have a finite supply. Harnessing and using solar energy does not deplete the amount of solar power that is available. In practice, this means that if you take a shower or wash your clothes using solar hot water, rather than gas or electric, you will produce no pollution byproducts and will not deplete the overall energy supply serving your home and community.

Even if you are not concerned with this environmental side of the situation, the economic side is something that everyone can get excited about. There is no solar power utility company. No one comes to read your solar energy meter and charge you for what you’ve used. So, what does it cost to go solar? A solar power design expert will help craft the right arrangement of panels to achieve the power supply you’re looking for. Then, after the initial cost of solar panel installation, your home or business is set up to take in and use solar energy without further expenditure. Even if you use solar energy in tandem with other, more traditional forms of power, the overall cost of heating, cooling, and otherwise powering your home will significantly decrease.

Whether you are attracted to solar energy because of its environmentally responsible nature, or you’re simply interested in lowering your energy costs, the solar option is a positive choice. In a home powered by the sun you can enjoy the warmth from a solar water heater without worrying that you’re wasting energy or money. No matter how you look at it, solar power comes up a winner.

Did you know that you can save money and the Earth just by installing solar panels to heat your water and run your building’s electricity? Call your local solar panel contractors today to learn more about how this green energy source can benefit your bank account and our planet.

If you’re constructing a new home or business or want to know how you can modify your existing building in order to fit a more green lifestyle, call your local solar panel experts today to learn more about the benefits of solar panel installation. This practice of bottling the sun was once a rarity among private property owners, but a plethora of benefits has made solar panels a common sight across the USA. Some of these benefits include:

• The chance to help the Earth every day without drastically changing your routines
• Money-saving opportunities
• The satisfaction of social responsibility

Many wonder exactly how solar panels help them save money. Here’s how:

After the initial purchase and installation of your solar panels, there are no additional fuel supply fees. Since your energy provider is the golden sun, you’re essentially bottling rays of free energy! On top of panels that provide electricity to your building, solar pool heaters and solar water heaters are also available, bringing you additional money-saving benefits!

Many areas provide the option of linking your solar panel system to the nearby power grid. This allows property owners to take advantage of the power provided by the utility company during extended periods of time without sunshine, but that’s not all. When you’re part of a grid-tied system, the solar energy that you do not use gets sold BACK to the utility, earning you a little extra cash! Grid-tied systems are a double win, because you can earn extra money, while having the peace of mind of knowing that your electrical needs are always covered–even if the sun is covered.

Ask your solar panel contractor if you are eligible for any federal and state rebates provided for solar panel installation. If you meet the requirements, which can include having solar power systems of an predetermined type and design, your solar power contractor will help you fill out the necessary paperwork. They will walk you through any information you do not understand so you can feel completely comfortable with your new power source.

The effectiveness of your solar panels depends greatly on proper design. You’ll get the most energy for your money when you allow professional solar panel contractors to review your building, your energy demands, and your terrain before determining the best position for your solar panels and the internal design of the panels themselves. The experts will make certain that your panels catch as much light as possible while ensuring adherence to local building codes so you can avoid potentially hefty fines.

To learn more about the process of switching to solar energy, call your local experts today!

Are your inflated utility bills giving you gray hair? With today’s solar power technology, you don’t have to settle for the high costs of fossil fuel energy anymore. Contact your local solar panel installation expert for instant energy savings today!

It’s no secret that most households in the United States still rely on fossil fuels like coal and oil as their primary sources of energy. Unfortunately, fossil fuels are becoming more and more expensive–and high utility bills aren’t the only cost. In fact, extracting fossil fuels from the ground is seriously detrimental to the environment, from disastrous oil spills to noxious carbon emissions in the atmosphere. If you’re ready to cut down on your utility bills and “carbon footprint” at the same time, solar panel installation will be your smartest solution.

Solar panels are powered by photovoltaic cells that collect the Sun’s energy and transfer it to a local power grid or on-site battery for your individual use. The Sun is the only element of the environment that solar power relies on, which is what makes this type of energy the most effective alternative to standard, fuel-driven power systems. The Sun adds zero carbon-dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and doesn’t negatively effect water supplies. In addition, the fact that residential and commercial solar panels enable you to generate your own power means you won’t have to pay for excess utility services like delivery and supply.

Boiled down, solar power installation offers the following benefits:

• Lower utility bills
• Long-lasting performance
• Sustainability
• Zero impact on the environment
• Reliable power supply
• Easy maintenance

When you decide that you’re ready for clean, renewable energy, you’ll need to contact your local alternative energy company immediately. A certified solar panel repair and installation expert will assess your property to determine the most effective panel design as dictated by the type of sun exposure available to you. Consulting with a certified energy practitioner is truly the only way to ensure you receive the most effective workmanship and efficient solar energy around.

While you’re at it, why not convert your water heating and pool heating systems, too? With solar water heaters and solar pool heaters, you’ll save even more money on utility expenses. When you contact local experts specializing in solar panel sales and design, they’ll provide you with all the options you could possibly imagine.

With this kind of alternative energy readily available to you, it’s time you stopped depending on harmful fossil fuels and installed your very own solar power system! Call the nearest solar power company today.

Many people do not realize that when appliances are not operating correctly, they can create a serious energy drain. This means more money out of your wallet to cover those exorbitant energy bills, more stress on your electrical system and the appliance itself, and a heavier burden on Mother Earth.

Thankfully, the solutions are simple. If you suspect that your current appliances aren’t performing properly and are wasting energy, the problem could be traced back to poor initial installation. If you suspect that your appliance is under-performing and overexerting, or you want to ensure the efficiency of a new appliance, call a professional appliance installer today.

Appliance installation is not rocket science, but it is more involved than it looks. Just one neglected or poorly connected wire, valve, or tube can mean wasted water and electricity, poor appliance performance, and even a threat to your property, health, and safety.  Your appliances should be helpful, not a source of burden. For professional installation of your refrigerator, dishwasher, or any other major appliances, call your local appliance repair and installation professionals today.

Another reason your appliances may not be functioning at full capacity could be an outdated electrical system. The electricity in older buildings often operates via archaic electrical panels, which are not equipped to handle the daily energy demands of today’s world. If you notice flickering lights, blackouts, and tripped breakers whenever a lot of energy is being used, you may be in need of an electrical panel upgrade. Call your local electrical contractor today, and enjoy appliances that operate on full power, the luxury of being able to use many appliances and electrical devices at once without fear of blowing a fuse, and the added protection against serious fire hazards. Your area electricians can help with wiring upgrades as well as panel upgrades, bringing you professional quality and all of the electrical service expertise you need!