Jul 27 2017
Standby Generator Installation in South Florida
Reasons to install a standby generator.
For a South Florida homeowner there are some good reasons to install a standby generator. The most obvious reason is the possibility of a hurricane coming ashore along the Treasure Coast. Power outages are a common occurrence during such storms, and many homeowners are turning to generators to ensure their electricity stays on, even when the grid is shutdown. Generators come in two design choices, portable or permanently installed. While portable generators have a lower initial cost, frequency of power outages and repair and replacement costs can quickly outweigh the initial savings. Here are several more advantages of a permanently installed standby generator.
A standby generator’s start up can be automated.
A standby generator uses an automatic transfer switch to start the when the power goes out. The switch is similar to the thermostat in your house. Instead of monitoring temperature, an automatic transfer switch monitors utility power. When the power goes out, the automatic transfer switch tells the generator to start. Automatic transfer switches come in a variety of amps, ranging from 50-amps to 400-amps.
In most cases, you match the transfer switch to the main breaker in your electrical panel. For instance, if you have a 200-amp main breaker, you’ll need a 200-amp automatic transfer switch.
When the lights go dark, a standby generator will start up in a matter of seconds, giving power to the fridge, microwave and air conditioner. There’s no searching for the portable generator, fuel and extension cord. Newer installed models will even send you a report about the power outage, telling you when the generator kicked on, how long it was used, and when the power came back. This can be especially helpful if you’re out of town when the power goes out.
They can run longer than portable generators.
How long your portable generator can run depends mainly on one thing – how much fuel you have on-hand. Installed generators connect directly to your fuel source, natural gas or liquid propane, allowing for longer run times and enough electricity for reliable backup power for your home.
They’re the safer option.
A portable generator can pose a safety hazard. Most models require you to calculate the proper voltage for your appliances and remember to disconnect the utility power after a power outage. Permanently installed generators are set up by electrical contractors, who will prewire the connections. The generator’s automatic transfer switch will sense when the power goes out, or is unstable, and will switch itself on, while disconnecting utility power. When utility power comes back, the generator will reverse the process, with no work needed from you.
Would you like a complimentary…no obligation …project consultation? Please feel free to call for more details.
Goodiel Electric, LLC.
Glenn Goodiel.
Mobile: (772) 263-2333.
Skype: (772) 263-2333.
Florida License – EC13005097.
Call Goodiel Electric, LLC. for a Great Deal.
Call master electrician and Martin County based electrical contractor Glenn Goodiel for all your electrical service needs.
In Martin County, Goodiel Electric, LLC. services Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Jupiter Island, North River Shores, Ocean Breeze Park, Palm City, Port Salerno, Rio, Sewall’s Point and Stuart, FL.
In St. Lucie County, Goodiel Electric, LLC. services Port Saint Lucie, St. Lucie West, Tradition, Torino, Tesoro, Lake Charles, Lake Forest, Magnolia Lakes, PGA Village, The Vineyards, St James Golf Club, The Cascades, Fort Pierce, and the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County, FL.
Aug 1 2017
Air-source Heat Pumps for Treasure Coast Homes
Air-source heat pumps for energy efficiency.
For South Florida homeowners air-source heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Because the Treasure Coast seldom sees extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures its residents can take advantage of heat pump technology. There are three types of heat pumps: air-to-air, water source, and geothermal. They collect heat from the air, water, or ground outside your home and concentrate it for use inside. This article focuses mainly on air-source heat pumps.
An air-source heat pump system transfers heat from outside to inside a building, or vice versa. Under the principles of vapor compression refrigeration, an ASHP uses a refrigerant system involving a compressor and a condenser to absorb heat at one place and release it at another. During the heating season, the air-source heat pump moved heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house. During the cooling season, the heat pump moves heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors.
The most common type of heat pump is the air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your house and the outside air. Today’s air-source heat pump can deliver one-and-a-half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. High-efficiency air-source heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage and more comfort all year around. Air-source heat pumps have been used for many years in nearly all parts of the United States, but the Treasure Coast area is ideally suited for heat pump technology.
For homes without ducts, air-source heat pumps are also available in a ductless version called a mini-split heat pump.
Advanced Features to Look for in Air-source Heat Pumps.
A number of innovations are improving the performance of air-source heat pumps.
Unlike standard compressors that can only operate at full capacity, two-speed compressors allow heat pumps to operate close to the heating or cooling capacity needed at any particular moment. This saves electrical energy and reduces compressor wear. Two-speed heat pumps also work well with zone control systems. Zone control systems, often found in larger homes, use automatic dampers to allow the heat pump to keep different rooms at different temperatures.
Some models of heat pumps are equipped with variable-speed or dual-speed motors on their indoor fans, outdoor fans, or both. The variable-speed controls for these fans keep the air moving at a comfortable velocity, minimizing cool drafts and maximizing electrical savings. It also minimizes the noise from the blower running at full speed.
Although most heat pumps use electric resistance heaters as a backup for cold weather, heat pumps can also be equipped with burners to supplement the heat pump. Back-up burners help solve the problem of the heat pump delivering relatively cool air during cold weather and reduces its use of electricity. There are few heat pump manufacturers that incorporate both types of heat supply in one box, so these configurations are often two smaller, side-by-side, standard systems sharing the same ductwork. The combustion fuel half of the system could be propane, natural gas, oil, or even coal and wood.
In comparison with a combustion fuel-fired furnace or standard heat pump alone, this type of system is also economical. Actual energy savings depend on the relative costs of the combustion fuel relative to electricity.
Have you decided that an air-source heat pump is right for you? Do you have a heat pump that needs to be serviced? Give us a call; we can help you every step of the way.
Would you like a complimentary…no obligation …project consultation? Please feel free to call for more details.
Goodiel Electric, LLC.
Glenn Goodiel.
Mobile: 772-263-2333.
Florida License – EC13005097.
Call Goodiel Electric for a Great Deal.
Call electrician and Martin County electrical contractor Glenn Goodiel for all your electrical service needs.
In Martin County, Goodiel Electric, LLC. services Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Jupiter Island, North River Shores, Ocean Breeze Park, Palm City, Port Salerno, Rio, Sewall’s Point and Stuart.
In St. Lucie County, Goodiel Electric, LLC. services Port Saint Lucie, St. Lucie West, Tradition, Torino, Tesoro, Lake Charles, Lake Forest, Magnolia Lakes, PGA Village, The Vineyards, St James Golf Club, The Cascades, Fort Pierce, and the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County.
By Glenn_G • Energy Efficiency, Heat Pumps, Treasure Coast • • Tags: air-source heat pumps