Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer - Articles

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.

The greening of Rivera Greens with geothermal heating and cooling

Geothermal heating and cooling helps neighborhood homeowners achieve an expected 60% savings on their utility bills.

Tim Litton

January 23, 2014

Located in Clarence, N.Y., Rivera Greens is the first certified National Association of Home Builders Green Standards Eco-Friendly Development in the state. When completed, the development will include 35 single-family homes built to an energy-efficiency standard unparalleled in Western New York.

Free consumer’s guide to solar hot water

DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy department introduces consumers to solar heating technologies

December 19, 2013

DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy department introduces consumers to solar heating technologies

Commercial building loans on a roll

Solar energy projects also on the rise.

Morris Beschloss

December 19, 2013

As mentioned in previous columns, commercial building loans and their supporting activity are edging toward pre-recession levels. As of mid-year 2013, U.S. banks had issued just short of one trillion dollars in commercial real-estate loans, up almost 4% from a year earlier, according to official sources.