Greenwood Heating & Air

The Basics of Solar Water Heating

The cost of heating water is the second highest cost on the average energy bill, just after heating and cooling. However, solar water heaters can cut down on these costs. With the savings these systems provide, they easily pay for themselves in a short time.

The innovative solar water heating system shown in this video utilizes several energy-efficient modifications to heat water and circulate it continuously throughout the system. It uses passive convection to circulate water throughout the solar heating system while a photovoltaic panel provides electricity to run a pump. Watch the video clip to learn more about this efficient system.

Greenwood Heating & Air of Seattle installs high-efficiency solar water heating systems that can cut your costs dramatically. Visit our website to learn more, or call us at (206) 734-3370 to find out how we can help you save energy at home.

Solar Power vs. Solar Water Heating

The sun provides renewable energy that can be used to power your home and heat your water. Solar power and solar water heating are two different kinds of systems, but both can be used to your advantage. Speak with your Seattle heating contractor to find out what specific benefits you can gain by having one or both of these systems installed in your home, and continue reading to find out more about these systems.

Generating Electricity with Sunlight

Solar power systems use photovoltaic cells that react to solar radiation. These cells are contained in solar panels, which are most often mounted to the roof of the home. Modern solar panels are unobtrusive and take advantage of solar energy even on cloudy days. When the specialized cells in the solar panels react to solar radiation, a current is produced. This generates electricity which then feeds into the home’s electrical system.

Heating Water from the Sun

Solar water heating works a bit differently than solar power generation. Instead of producing electricity, a solar water heater uses the actual warmth from the sun to heat water in a storage tank. Some dual-stage systems can provide additional heating energy like a traditional water heater when necessary. Solar water heating systems can be augmented with photovoltaic cells that power a pump to circulate water constantly through the system, reducing the need to reheat water. This provides significant savings when compared to traditional storage tank water heaters, which waste energy reheating water that is not in use.

You can use solar energy to heat your water and provide your home with electricity even in Seattle. Greenwood Heating & Air can help you realize the power of solar energy with photovoltaic systems and solar water heating. Visit our website to find out how government incentives can help you save on installation, or call us at (206) 734-3370 to learn more about green home energy.

Find More Residential Heating And Air Duct Cleaning Information By Clicking The Links Below

Whether you're turning up the heat or cooling down, the HVAC system in your home plays a major role in your day-to-day life. A good understanding of residential heating and air duct cleaning will help you stay comfortable and safe. To find out more about residential heating and air duct cleaning, visit the following resources:

• The Environmental Protection Agency offers a guide called “Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?”
   
• This Fox News article debunks five common home heating myths. It also provides practical tips for saving on your energy bill.
   
• The Utilities and Transportation Commission of Washington lists practical steps for saving home energy costs.
   
• Are you thinking of getting a new furnace? This page from Michigan State University Extension can help you plan ahead for furnace repair and maintenance.
   
• The Department of Energy explains how home thermostats work at this page.

If you need residential heating or air duct cleaning services in Seattle, Bellevue, or neighboring areas, call Greenwood Heating & Air at 206-734-3370.

3 Reasons to Consider Home Air Duct Cleaning

Your air ducts are responsible for circulating air throughout your home, and are a vital part of your home's HVAC system. Good heating contractors can clean your air ducts with specialized vacuums and other equipment to improve your home's air quality, save you money, and make your home a better place to live. Continue reading to learn how air duct cleaning can benefit your home:

It Improves Air Quality

HVAC systems gather a lot of contaminants that can negatively affect your health, including fungi, bacteria, and mold. Mold has a much higher chance of growing if the insulation on your duct system gets wet. Breathing these contaminants night and day can worsen your family members’ allergies or asthma. A thorough air duct cleaning removes contaminants, resulting in better air quality—that way, everyone in your household can breathe easier.

It Saves Money

Heating your home in the winter can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system, and eventually lead to a breakdown, followed by expensive repairs. Air duct cleaning can help you avoid costly repairs by keeping your system running smoothly. For example, duct cleaning rids your system’s sensitive mechanical components of debris. As part of an overall strategy for maintaining your home, air duct cleaning can save you money in the long run.

It Keeps Your Home Clean

Excessive amounts of dust and other debris that builds up in your air ducts can be blown out into the interior of your home, settling on your furniture, carpet, and walls. Duct cleaning can prevent much of that debris from spreading throughout your home. Not only will your home look nicer, it will smell better, too.

If you are thinking about duct cleaning service for your Seattle or Bellevue home, contact Greenwood Heating & Air. We also provide furnace repair, installation, and maintenance. Find out how we can help you by giving us a call at (206) 734-3370.

Seattle Lasting Home Expo

This is Kevin Axtell, Greenwood Heating Comfort Advisor, speaking about heating options for Seattle home owners at the Lasting Home Expo last week at Northgate Mall in Seattle.

Greenwood Heating was the stage sponsor of this great event which had many vendors and a live broadcast by KOMO radio. The event was put together to help Seattle homeowners learn more about energy efficiency heating equipment, gas furnaces, ductless heat pumps and all the energy rebates available now to encourage people to replace rather than repair old heating equipment.

Kevin Axtell is a 19 year veteran of Greenwood Heating and is very knowledgeable about heating, air conditioning, ductless mini split heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, gas furnaces, boilers, solar power and just about anything else that has to do with home comfort.

If you missed us there, come to the Seattle Home Show Feb. 16-24 at the Centurylink event center.