Heat Exchangers And Green Living

By Elliot DeLaney

If you are interested in green living you should consider getting a heat exchanger. Heat exchangers are designed to efficiently transfer heat from one medium to another whether they are separated by a solid wall or are in direct contact. They are often used for space heating, refrigeration and air conditioning. Heat exchangers have many commercial applications as well. They can be employed to save energy in natural gas processing, sewage treatment plants, chemical plants, power plants, petrochemical plants and petroleum refineries.

Heat exchangers can be used for heating and cooling green buildings because they reduce the amount of non-renewable fuels used in the home’s air conditioning and heating systems. Heat exchangers use the naturally occurring heat in lakes, ponds and in the ground to heat and cool the house. When used in combination with a geothermal heat pump system, heat exchangers make the system more energy efficient than heating and air conditioning systems powered by fossil fuels. Green homes with heat exchangers which utilize a ground source heating and cooling system don’t need electricity or gas.

Ground source heat exchangers help to move heat in and out buildings in a very efficient manner. In summer green homes can use their heat exchangers to take the heat from the building, pass it through the heat pump and heat exchanger and create hot water. During winter heat exchangers help to provide heat by pumping water through the heating system. Heating systems which use heat exchangers are up to 48 percent more efficient than a gas powered furnace and 75 percent more efficient than oil burning furnaces. That means it can help to conserve a significant amount of energy each month.

Another reason heat exchangers are essential in green homes is related to the amount of carbon dioxide the average home without heat exchangers produces. Carbon dioxide is a deadly gas. It can kill people, plants and animals and do serious damage to the environment. Heating and cooling systems powered by fossil fuels produce a great deal of carbon dioxide. It can build up in the home and lead to illness and death. It can also pollute the larger environment. On the other hand, heating and cooling systems with heat exchangers release almost zero carbon dioxide.

Heat exchangers are very important to green living in two important ways. They help reduce energy consumption and produce only a negligible amount of carbon dioxide.

Elliot DeLaney is a contributor for Brazetek.com -leading manufacturer of brazed plate heat exchangers