Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer - Articles

Device helps retrofit UK homes for solar thermal

The Pod is a solar heat store where cold water is rapidly preheated on demand as it flows through a high-surface area coil of pipe inside the unit before entering the existing heating system.

March 31, 2014

United Kingdom-based Viridian Solar unveiled its Pod solar device March 4 at this year’s Ecobuild in the UK.

Variable-capacity geothermal heat pump

WaterFurnace’s 7 Series geothermal heat pump surpasses both 41 EER and 5.3 Coefficient of Performance efficiencies.

March 17, 2014

The unit utilizes a soft-start variable-capacity compressor, in concert with a variable-speed ECM blower and variable-speed loop pump.

Two-stage, water-to-water heat pumps

Roth’s geothermal heat pump systems are insulated with sound-deadening material.

March 17, 2014

Variable-speed ECM blower motors are standard on all Roth equipment. The coated air coils prevent corrosion and ensure longevity.

Cost-effective geothermal heating and cooling

When considering geothermal heating and cooling, do your homework.

February 25, 2014

When considering geothermal heating and cooling, do your homework.

Solar panels made out of beer cans?

I guess you could say these are examples of UK resourcefulness; you be the judge!

February 25, 2014

I guess you could say these are examples of UK resourcefulness; you be the judge!

Air-source heat pumps vs. ground-source heat pumps

Variable-speed compressor technology has leveled the playing field for this type of heating and cooling equipment.

February 25, 2014

Variable-speed compressor technology has leveled the playing field for this type of heating and cooling equipment.

Twelve new student teams to compete in Solar Decathlon 2015

February 13, 2014

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman announced the 20 collegiate teams selected to compete in the DOE’s Solar Decathlon 2015 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. The teams will now begin the nearly two-year process of building solar-powered houses that are affordable, innovative and energy-efficient.

The geothermal heat pump is just like a boiler

The Glitch and The Fix, February 2014

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

February 13, 2014

A homeowner asks his local heating installer if a geothermal heat pump can be combined with radiant floor heating. The system he creates is meant to supply a dozen independently controlled zones of low-temperature floor heating.

Bosch and Orca Energy sign joint marketing agreement

Going forward the two companies will jointly market to developers and builders as well as to new homebuyers.

February 6, 2014

Bosch Thermotechnology teams up with Orca Energy to reduce cost of geothermal heating and cooling for new home developers, builders and homebuyers.

Greening the heating industry

Geothermal and solar thermal installs continue to rise.

Kelly Faloon

January 23, 2014

Interest in geothermal heating and cooling systems has increased in the last five years. “With firms more cost-conscious, green initiatives receiving more media attention and tighter market conditions, business leaders have sought ways to decrease operating expenses across the board and some of them are turning to geothermal solutions for their climate control,” writes Pramod Dibble in the November 2013 issue of sister publication PM Engineer.