Installing Eco-Friendly Systems

Installing a Ground Loop Heat Pump

The evolution of heat-pump technology has been in process for some time now gradually progressing with science and innovation, the old methods used the temperature differential of air from inside and outside the home to heat or cool it during the winter and summer months. Using the same principles, a ground-loop heat pump utilizes the base temperatures of the subsurface ground as a sort of heat sink to heat and cool the home according to the time of year. The majority of money saving is due to the absence of natural gas or the reduced demand on electricity to heat or cool the air. At a depth of about six feet under Earth’s surface it maintains a relatively constant temperature, usually varying between 45 to 75 degrees throughout most of the planet surface and throughout most of the year. Using geothermal heat pumps heat can be captured from the warmer Earth and transferred into your home in the winter time, during the summer months heat can be taken from your home and discharged into the cooler ground. Using a closed loop system a continuous network of pipes containing an antifreeze solution absorbs heat and passes it through a heat exchange system where it is concentrated and distributed through the home using ducts. These systems are generally low maintenance and use little energy to power the compressor and heat pump, as a result, use of this system reflects a monthly cost reduction of 25 to 50 percent in energy bills.

Ground loop heat pumps do require a substantial amount of piping in order to work efficiently, and are more immediately cost effective for properties that have sufficient horizontal space in their yard. If your property lacks horizontal space in the yard then the piping can be buried vertically by drilling holes to depths up to several hundred feet depending on your needs. Although the energy saving will be the same, vertical installation will be more costly than its horizontal counterpart which means the monetary payback would be spread over a longer period of time. Heat pumps of any type require correct sizing and the size of the unit will vary with the climate and the energy efficiency of the home it will be servicing. In a horizontal installation several hundred feet of trenches will need to be dug up using a back hoe or a trencher, the piping is then laid in the trench and the trench is filled. The ground piping can be run in straight lines or in a modified “slinky” layout which are becoming the standard in residential systems due to the fact that the slinky-coil loops are more economic both financially and geometrically. They save space because the coils overlap in the bottom of the trench. In order to reduce the risk of leaks in the system pipes up to 500 feet long can be employed, the joints are heat-fused and pressure tested and you can get a closed loop system that includes a 50 year warranty.

Water Heaters

Water heaters are in nearly every home and business in the United States and most every other country in the world, they are simple in design, big metal cans that fill with water and use various heating systems to heat the stored water until it is used. This keeps a comparatively large amount of water on standby in the event that you need it. However, most of the time you don’t so it just sits there, getting heated and reheated wasting energy and ultimately money. But there is good news for all you environmental and monetary consciences people out there, it is called a Tankless Water Heater and it is taking the modern world by storm. The traditional water heater is a product of great design it has been around for decades and is as of right now the mostly used Water Heating systems on the market, however everything can be improved and so it has as well, with new innovations being applied we now have a Water Heating System that does not require the storage of hot water and the loss of energy and money and can heat cold water as it travels to its desired location. Here at No Problem Plumbing and Drain we are supporting every effort to expand the use of this revolutionary appliance, not only does it save our customers precious dollar bills every month but it helps to maintain the planet we love by conserving the precious one percent of consumable, fresh water that we have on the planet.
There are a few different varieties Tankless Water Heaters and several pros and cons to each, one of the major pros is that if install one the Federal Government will give you a $300 tax credit, but choosing one depends on a couple of factors, primarily the fuel source that you have available to actually power the unit or units. Here at NoProblem Plumbing and Drain we offer three different variations Electric, Gas and Solar powered Water Heaters each have their limitations, typically each will provide hot water at a rate of about 2 – 5 gallons (7.6 – 15.2 liters) per minute but Gas Powered Water Heaters will produce higher flow rates than Electric Tankless Water Heaters.
When planning to purchase a Gas Powered Tankless Water Heater, consider the Gas Type and venting requirements. Start with identifying whether your gas type is Natural Gas or Propane. Our Denver Plumbers cannot stress enough how imperative it is that you examine your current gas line to ensure that it will meet the requirements of your new Gas Powered Tankless Water Heater. The necessary requirements of the Tankless Water Heater may exceed that of your existing tank-style water heater so do your research. Next, you will need to consider the venting requirements for your specific installation situation here there are a few important things to keep in mind when purchasing the gas venting accessories for your Gas Powered Tankless Water Heater our Denver Plumbers double check your local building codes to ensure that you meet regulation and that your specific needs will be met. Ensure that you purchase Category III stainless steel (UL1738 certified) venting for your Gas Powered Tankless Water Heater system. “Type B” venting accessories are not acceptable. Here at NoProblem Plumbing and Drain your safety is our first concern.
When deciding which Tankless Water Heater to purchase, you will also need to consider where you will need hot water and our experienced Denver Plumbers will be able to help you accurately assess that. Are you looking for a unit that will heat the water at one bathroom sink (single point application), an entire bathroom (multipoint application), or an entire house, apartment, or condo (whole house application)? It is important to recognize the number of fixtures that will require hot water. Each fixture will have its own demands and here at NoProblem Plumbing and Drain we understand those demands and meet them with superior craftsmanship at affordable prices.