Green HVAC Systems Are Changing How We Heat and Cool Homes and Offices

The year 2020 is coming ever closer, and by then, according to a mandate from President Barack Obama, even the federal government must double its reliance on renewable energy. Given that as of 2015, renewable energy accounts for only 10% of total U.S. energy consumption, the “heat is on” (pardon the HVAC pun!) for all of us to find viable solutions now to meet this challenge in the days ahead.

Luckily, scientists and innovative HVAC manufacturers are now utilizing important new systems that may soon change the way we heat and cool our homes and offices. Consider these green technologies that may be coming soon to a home or office near you:

Large Scale Rooftop Solar Collectors…for One Smaller Roof

As of April, 2011, the University installed more than 60 rooftop solar collectors on its student center, utilizing a system typically installed for giant solar power plants, but heretofore untested on a much smaller scale. Start-up company Chromasun developed the adapted solar concentrator that will allow Santa Clara University to both heat and cool the space far more cost effectively than their previous heating and cooling systems.

Quiet Duct Wrap

Duct wrap itself is nothing new, but this product developed by the Green Products Company is made from upcycled denim. Lightweight and fire retardant, its cotton fiber construction mean no irritating fiberglass and relatively few VOCs. Like conventional duct wrap, it protects against unwanted air duct radiant heat and cooling effects-but this reduces landfill waste at the same time.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

While they’ve been in use since the 1940s in some areas, green energy experts are taking a new look at these super efficient GeoExchange pumps. Four times as effective as conventional HVAC systems, the geothermal heat pumps transfers heat to or from the ground. Extremely common in Finland where they are the most common heating heating system of choice for new housing units, more than 50,000 new systems per year are now being installed within the US. While installation is still more expensive than traditional systems, these extra costs are mitigated by cheaper energy costs over the next 5 to 10 years.

Whatever your energy needs, you can count on Air-Tro to provide you with the latest technologies and up to date information on the green energy solutions that work for you. Call to speak to one of our consultants today about how simple updates can make a big difference to your heating and cooling costs throughout the year! (626)357-3535.