HP Building Solutions

Answering the Question of What is Geothermal Heating and Cooling?

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:00:26 +0000

Geothermal heating and cooling is an option for homeowners who place a priority on doing their part to make sustainable choices that are good for the planet. Geothermal heating and cooling is also a great choice for those who want to save money on their HVAC bills and who want a comfortable and quiet home. But, what is geothermal heating and cooling?

Geothermal heating and cooling systems take advantage of the fact that the temperature underneath the ground in the earth’s core remains relatively stable. Depending on where you live and the climate in your area, this temperature is generally going to remain in the mid-50′s (55-60) year round and will not fluctuate as the air does. As a result, geothermal systems involve wells with either open or close loop systems that are dug under the ground.

Instead of using energy to heat up and cool down the air, which may be freezing cold in the winter and very hot in the summer, the geothermal system needs only to change the temperature from the earth’s core until it is a comfortable room temperature. Energy can be harnessed from this underground system and used to heat and cool your home. This process can be up to 400 times as efficient as traditional systems.

So, now you know the answer to the question of what is geothermal heating and cooling, and it is easy to see why this is such a great choice.

About Insulated Panels

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:00:44 +0000

Traditionally, when a home is built on site (or stick built), the home is framed using 2x4s. Insulation is added between the walls, which are sheet rocked, and then dry walled (for interior walls) or clad in appropriate exterior cladding. Whether the shell of your home is tight and keeps conditioned air in and cold or hot air out depends upon how good the insulation is that is used in your home and depends upon what the R-value of that insulation is.

With insulated panels, on the other hand, homes are constructed with special thick panels that already have insulation built right into them. This can make for simple construction and it also makes for very energy efficient construction as these insulated panels tend to have a much higher R-value than even the best traditional insulated walls. Insulated panels are thicker than traditional walls as well, which not only helps with energy efficiency but which also makes these walls better sound barriers.

If a quieter and more energy-efficient home is something that you are interested in pursuing, the use of insulated panels in your next new construction project may be a smart choice. You will enjoy lower energy bills and will do your part to live a sustainable live and preserve the natural resources on the planet.

Opting for Structural Insulated Panels

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:08 +0000

When you build a home on a lot, as opposed to choosing a modular home, the home is normally referred to as stick built. Typically, the house is framed using 2x4s and then insulation is added, sheetrock closes in the walls and the sheetrock is dry-walled over. This is an accepted method of home building and, depending on the R-value of the insulation, can sometimes provide an energy efficient home. However, an alternative that is far more energy efficient is the use of structural insulated panels.

What Are Structural Insulated Panels?

Structural insulated panels are structural elements made in a factory. They generally consist of a solid core of foam, upon which plywood is glued. These panels can come in a range of sizes up to 4’ x 26’. The panels are then used to create ceilings, floors, walls and other structural components of buildings being built. Because of their foam core, they provide more uniform insulation that is superior to the traditional installation used in stick-built construction. The better the insulation, the less effort- and energy- required to heat and cool the home and the more green the house will be.

Want more info on structural insulated panels? Visit hpbuildingsolutions.com today!

Direct Exchange Geothermal Will Meet Your Cooling and Heating Needs

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:35 +0000

If you are considering upgrading your HVAC system or if you are building a new home, direct exchange geothermal may be the best choice to meet your heating and cooling needs. Direct exchange geothermal is an energy efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems, which typically rely on electricity for the air conditioner and some type of fuel such as natural gas or oil for the heater. Because direct exchange geothermal is more energy efficient, it is an earth friendly way to heat your home and it will also save you money each and every month on your utility expenses.

Aside from the fact that geothermal is an energy saving system, you may also enjoy the fact that geothermal operates more quietly than conventional systems, making it more peaceful to be in your home without the air conditioner or heater continually kicking on and off and engaging in loud operation.

If you want to enjoy these and other benefits of a direct exchange geothermal system, now is the time to do so as there are tax credits available from the federal government for the equipment and installation of qualifying systems. Speak with a qualified geothermal contractor or installer such as the experts at HP Building Solutions to learn more.

Geothermal Heat Pump—Offering Surprise Benefits

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:57 +0000

A geothermal heat pump can make it less expensive to heat and cool your home during both the summer and the winter months. In addition to providing you with significant savings on heating and cooling, using a geothermal heat pump is also an environmentally-friendly option that allows you to reduce your use of fossil fuels, doing your part for the earth. Most people are aware of these benefits, but there may also be some other surprising benefits of using geothermal that you aren’t aware of

One benefit that many people may not know of at first is that a geothermal system can be used to produce some or all of the hot water that you need in your home. Hot water for shower, dishwashing and using the washing machine can be a significant expense, but with geothermal, otherwise wasted heat and energy is taken out of the air and used to generate heated water. This helps to make the unit even more environmentally friendly.

Another surprise benefit is that using a geothermal heat pump can make your house more comfortable. Because the system works differently than standard heating systems, it is usually quieter – making it a nicer place to be. HP Building Solutions will be happy to explain the details.

Choose Your Geothermal Systems Installer Carefully

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Geothermal systems should always be installed by a professional who is skilled in this energy-efficient option for heating and cooling your home. Making the most of the energy benefits provided by geothermal systems involves proper placement of the system in your home, the right choice as to whether your system is open-or-closed loop, the options available which allow you to harvest excess energy in order to generate hot water during the summer months, and a whole host of other decisions that are best done by an expert installer.

Not every HVAC contractor knows how to install geothermal systems in a way that maximize all of their benefits. When you go to the expense and trouble of making the green choice, you owe it to yourself to find an installer with extensive knowledge of geothermal so you can maximize your savings and your efforts for the environment.

To find the right installer, the key is to ask a lot of questions. Make sure they have installed geothermal systems before and that they can fully explain to you the equipment that will be used and the installation process so you can feel confident that they are educated and informed experts in the field. Give HP Building Solutions a call at 404.569.5039 or visit us online www.hpbuildingsolutions.com.

Extraordinary Professionalism

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:44:37 +0000

HP Building Solutions completed a back porch enclosure for our home. The project was conceived with the highly experienced assistance of the owner, who made great suggestions for improvement as it moved forward. The materials used in the construction are excellent. The appearance of the finished project is superb. The construction crew was wonderful to work with, cleaned up daily, and left zero mess as they finished. The end result is FAR MORE than we had ever imagined. We are truly happy with the outcome. Thank you, HP Building Solutions!

JPNewell

3 Advantages of Geothermal Energy

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:00:07 +0000

Alternative energy is a hot button topic these days. With global warming on the rise and our dependence on foreign fossil fuels becoming more of a concern, it’s no wonder that more and more homeowners are looking into the option of using geothermal energy as a means of heating and cooling their homes.

If you are on the fence about the issue and wondering if you should include a geothermal energy-powered HVAC system in your new home, consider this:

Using geothermal energy will save you in the long run. True, it’s more expensive to have one installed, but you’ll enjoy the benefits of reduced energy costs. The systems typically pay for themselves in 5-7 years.
A geothermal system has tax incentives. A 30% Federal Tax credit is available on geothermal installations.
When you choose geothermal energy, you are reducing your carbon footprint. Less electricity means less fossil fuels.

Have questions about geothermal energy? We have answers. Please visit hpbuildingsolutions.com.

Why Use Structural Insulated Panels?

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:58:28 +0000

You’ve waited for years–maybe decades–and finally the time has come. You’re going to build your dream house. Odds are you have a good idea of what you want this home to include. You have the floor plan lined out. You know what sort of flooring you want. You know how you want to paint. But have you considered building using structural insulated panels?

Structural insulated panels are basically premade panels that form the exterior walls or envelope of your building. They replace traditional forms of wood construction as well as insulation batts.

But why should you add structural insulated panels to your “gotta-have-it” list for your customized home? Consider this:

SIPs offer a more airtight dwelling—In traditional residential homes, air is constantly leaking through the walls. However, because these panels click together, they form a seal around your home that makes it as airtight as possible. Less air leaking means your HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard.
They’re strong with a high R-value—Structural insulated panels are built with strength in mind. There is no worry if they will ever cause structural instability. At the same time, they have a high R-value. The higher the R-value, the better insulation will perform its duty.

So if you’re building a new home, we recommend building with structural insulated panels. Visit hpbuildingsolutions.com for more information!