Renewable energy Through Ground Source Heat Pumps

The issues of sustainability and carbon reduction are key themes of our times. Our duty to reduce carbon emissions, coupled having a challenging economic climate make it a hardship on companies to admit implement new technologies, which in short term may cost a great deal more. Renewable energy and Government grant schemes could be a complex area but there are sustainable solutions to most problems and these need to be explored. Major UK contractors belong to a trade association called UKCG (UK Contractors Group) which is affiliated to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). A central topic is the low carbon end goal. A study group set up by brand new called The Low Carbon Construction and Innovation Growth Team has published a report entitled 'Emerging Findings'. They are now working towards ultimate report, to be published later this year, which set the agenda for your de-carbonisation of construction to meet the requirements the legislation which is now on the statute book. The Climate Change Act of 2008 requires an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by the year 2050. In other words the UK construction industry will over the subsequent 40 years require become a low carbon or carbon free industry. Which influence the way we design, manufacture and construct our buildings and infrastructure for future years. It means as a nation we will must be remodel our existing building stock and infrastructure to remove carbon and improve energy efficiency. Sustainable energy installations are a key component and Ecovision are experts in designing and installing the solutions. Britain has the oldest stock of existing buildings virtually any nation in exciting world of - 9 million properties over 60 years old, so your responsibilities is huge. Whether economic circumstances really allow us to give the objectives that to be able to laid down extra matter but the direction of travel is clear. It is estimated that buildings have the effect of between 40-50% of UK energy attacks. This figure is derived from operational energy - where energy is used up. It would be more accurate clearly that this will be the amount of energy consumed by individuals buildings. It also excludes the energy consumed in the manufacture of elements need to be or products very important to the construction work, or transporting and assembling them. If it's the amount of one's energy consumed by people then how are we able to develop a built environment that supports and encourages a dramatically lower associated with energy consumption? We need to percieve ways to reduce carbon emissions typically the construction process but operational energy is every bit important. Ecovision seek to get involved with building projects in the early planning stages. Huge amounts of time and energy can be saved if for example, the orientation on the building is considered or optimum regarding local natural resources is used. As in the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, which is sited over one in the largest natural aquifiers in the Uk, leeds. This allowed the consultant design team to adopt an 'open loop' geo thermal well system as opposed to the more commonly used 'closed loop' system. Instances the use of specialist consultants in the early planning stages has saved time, money and most importantly energy. If construction companies are to reach the required targets then renewable energy solutions need turn out to be decided at the beginning of a project. An excellent type of a client's to be able to cut carbon emissions is the of the Hon Simon Howard at Britain's finest historic house, Castle Howard in York. Simon Howard's energy bills for the 140,000sqft house were approximately 40,000 per year. Two years ago he set about researching ways of reducing them. He was advised by a lot of 'renewable' consultants how the house of this age would not necessarily suitable for a renewable power installation. He had not been to be defeated, he wanted to carbon emissions and make the house sustainable for future 100's of years. Renewable energy experts, Ecovision designed a method that used his lake to necessary under some heating and warm water. The project is one belonging to the largest of this category and is proof that natural heat absorbed by our planet and water can be installed to provide warmth for buildings. A colossal network of plastic pipes extract heat from the water in the lake, this is then passed through a compression system automobile warm enough to heat the house and provide the mandatory hot water. At the end of his fresh his fuel bills demonstrate a saving of almost 80%. This installation showcases the innovative use of a water source heat pump. Another major installation but using a ground source electric is the intuitive new sixth form centre at Wyke College in Hull. The 20 million construction includes the usage of 50 boreholes, each 112m deep, sunk into the college's playing fields. Offers all year round indoor comfort for pupils. The holes are placed between 8 to 10 metres apart throughout the rugby pitch that has been replaced and is now ready for brand new season. The system provides heating in the wintertime and cooling during summer. Ecovision's technical expert Mark Witzenberger designed the system and recommended and installed two Dimplex ground source heat water pumps. The project had to consider the unique thermal conductivity belonging to the rock and soil once your there. Out of this came you should specification for the heat pump system that's why it was this that determined the number and depth of the boreholes involved. The boreholes are used in three ways, firstly offer energy for that heat pumps for heating the building, secondly offer free cooling via coordinate floor system, with heat being transferred back in the ground your summer and thirdly as an energy source to drive reversible heat pumps to provide refrigerant-based cooling via air handling rooms. The normal temperature of a floor 100m beneath surface is really a steady 10 deg c throughout last year. As a result of the boreholes and operation among the heat transfer system, sunshine fall to as little as 1 deg c in the winter months because belonging to the removal of your energy for heating the building but it is replaced in summer months from constructing itself during times of cooling mode. In the uk we face considerable challenges to match the targets set, the economy does not help, Government cuts have badly affected the construction Industry and reduced the focus on carbon reduction nevertheless the drive to relieve carbon emissions will not go available. The Industry needs to direct the client and lead the for you to ensure buildings are efficient and ecological. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) starts end of it of September 2010 and the next forty years will surely period of considerable improvement. We should view this as an opportunity, not a problem. Every day we design and install renewable solutions for largescale commercial projects and small scale domestic projects, for historic homes, giraffe pens and greenhouses, put simply, Each time a building will be worth heating is actually worth installing renewable utility.