| Two of the bigger energy uses are cooling and | | | | but a very low operating cost. This low operating |
| heating. Green heating systems are designed to | | | | cost is often overlooked in the planning stages |
| minimize such energy use during cooler periods. | | | | when more attention is being paid to the initial |
| There are several heating systems used in green | | | | costs. In order to maximize the advantages of |
| homes. One type uses geothermal energy for | | | | the low operating cost, it is important to make |
| heat. Geothermal refers to using the natural heat | | | | sure that the home is well insulated. In the case |
| of the earth. Most systems work by running | | | | of water heating systems, all pipes must be |
| water from under the earth through a series of | | | | heavily insulated. |
| pipes called a loop. The loop takes the water to a | | | | Solar water heating systems can be either |
| heat exchanger where the heat is removed from | | | | passive or active. Passive systems use natural |
| the water and used for heating purposes. The | | | | convection to move water from the heat source |
| most simple is the open loop. Since ground water | | | | to the heat exchange point. An active system |
| generally maintains a constant temperature, water | | | | uses pumps and controllers. The water is collected |
| is pumped from one well through a heat | | | | in a tank fitted with solar panels or heat absorbing |
| exchange device, and deposited into a second | | | | materials where it is warmed by sunlight. The |
| well, usually at a distance from the first. | | | | pumps move it to a heat exchanger where the |
| A closed loop geothermal system circulates the | | | | heat is removed and circulated through the home. |
| water through a series of pipes. The pipes are | | | | In the case of a water heater, the water can be |
| buried in the ground and the water picks up heat | | | | used directly, and it is replaced by cold water |
| and the heat exchanger removes it. There are | | | | from the existing water supply. |
| several arrangements of piping, but the general | | | | Geothermal and Solar heating systems are two |
| idea is the same. Although geothermal heat is | | | | examples of green construction types of |
| very inexpensive, a system has to be fairly | | | | alternative sources for heat and energy. The |
| extensive to provide all of a homes heating | | | | advantage is the reducing of the reliance on fossil |
| requirements, and most systems are intended to | | | | fuel generated heat or energy. The technology |
| supplement other heating sources. | | | | for utilizing these sources of heat is still in its |
| A much better source of heat is sunlight. Solar | | | | infancy. It is expected that the rise in green |
| power systems convert sunlight to heat for use | | | | construction philosophy will encourage further |
| in space heating and domestic water heating. Most | | | | experimentation in this area. |
| solar power systems have a very high initial cost, | | | | |