5
Jan, 2023
heat

What You Need To Know About Thermodynamic Storage Tanks

Heaters are at the heart of heating in the home. However, it is a good idea to adopt a water heater that can filter the calories present in the water. The thermodynamic balloon then reinforces the energy savings. Want to know more about this thermodynamic water heater? In this article, you will find a guide dedicated to thermodynamic water heaters.

Thermodynamic tanks: What are they?

recycle

A thermodynamic tank, also known as a thermodynamic water heater, is a combination of a domestic hot water production tank with a heat pump. The role of this heat pump is to capture calories from the atmosphere and transmit them in the form of heat to the hot water tank. In this way, the tank heats the water in it.

In short, the air in the room where the tank is installed is used to heat a refrigerant. The temperature is then raised in the tank via a compressor, and the heat produced is finally transferred to the water in the tank. Find a professional in the field who can give you more guidance on the subject.

What happens if the outside temperature is too low? No problem! An electric resistance can be used to provide additional heating if necessary, for example, during periods of extreme cold or for essential domestic hot water (DHW) requirements.

Thermodynamic balloon: how does it work?

The thermodynamic tank must capture outside air to function properly. The 3 types of air captured by the heat pump differ from each other.

1. Ambient air

The heat pump and the hot water tank are incorporated into the same body. Therefore, the heat pump captures the heat in the room around the device. It is, therefore, important to choose the right heating system for your home.

2. The outside air

The heat pump and the cylinder are different. The heat pump is placed outside the house. This is the necessary solution if the interior room is smaller. It helps to save energy in the house.

3. Extracted air from the house

This is the combination of the heat pump and the storage tank. A system of ducts then recovers the heat from the air leaving the controlled mechanical ventilation system (VMC).

The heating medium of this type of tank is very advantageous. Its advantage lies precisely in its use of air as energy to create heat and hot water.

A thermodynamic tank is, therefore, an ecological and economical choice, as air is a renewable and free energy. The tank releases 3 kWh of heat to produce hot water from 1 kWh of electricity used. As a result, your hot water bill is three times lower. Isn’t that very interesting?

Where to install your thermodynamic tank?

In order for the tank to work efficiently, you can install it in the following locations:

  • A room of at least 20 cubic metres for an ambient air heat pump
  • Outside the building for an outdoor heat pump
  • Or a living room such as the kitchen for an extracted-air tank.

Once installed and functioning, it is necessary to know how to maintain it. Its regular maintenance also allows it to function over a long period of time.

Thermodynamic tank: how to take care of it?

heat

The maintenance of a thermodynamic balloon requires a particular maintenance such as:

  • Cleaning the ventilation grids and filters
  • Maintenance of the thermodynamic unit

It is nevertheless advisable to call on a heat pump professional to clean your thermodynamic tank. The specialist in heating solutions and professionals must be RGE certified in order to better help you install your thermodynamic tank. So don’t hesitate to tell them about your project. You will not be disappointed!

Sound off in the comments section below, and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about thermodynamic tanks.

12
Oct, 2022
solar

Ecological House: The Essential Equipment

If you want to participate in the protection of the environment, opt for an ecological house. To do this, you can renovate your old house or build a new one with the appropriate materials and equipment. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn some of the things that can help you choose them.

Natural materials

The roof

home

 

Start by choosing a natural wood roof. With this material, the frame can be erected in the shortest possible time while keeping the site clean. You can add brick, stone or wood panels for more aestheticism.

For the roof, use shingles, as they offer the advantage of being both light and resistant. You can also opt for terracotta tiles without dyes, which can last for over 150 years. You can choose between a cone-shaped, flat, or mechanical tile, depending on your taste. It is also possible to install concrete tiles by choosing flat shapes with a roof pitch of 45°.

The walls

Three options are available for having an ecological wall:

  • Brick walls: bricks are noble and are very resistant to fire ;
  • Terracotta walls: they blend in perfectly with the wooden equipment to harmonize your interior decoration;
  • Wooden walls: in addition to their durability, these walls have a good natural hygrometric regulator. Favour labelled models to limit the importation of exotic woods. Don’t hesitate to call a renovation specialist if you want to change the type of wall.

An ecological heating system

By choosing an ecological heating system, you can save more energy and optimize your comfort. It also contributes favourably to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. To benefit from renewable energy by using a boiler, opt for the following:

    • A low-temperature boiler 
    • A condensing gas boiler
    • A micro-generation gas boiler
    • A wood pellet boiler.

As for the heat pump, choose:

    • An air-to-water heat pump
    • An air-to-air heat pump
    • A geothermal heat pump.

You can also use stoves by choosing :

    • Wood pellet stoves 
    • Log stoves
    • Mass heating stoves.

Insulation

A natural insulator is the most effective in enjoying thermal and acoustic comfort.

Cork

Cork comes from the cork oak tree and is available in the form of loose sheets or granules. Its quality lies in its resistance to humidity and its rot-proof character. It is often used to fit out uninhabitable attics. You can also install it on floors or walls.

Wood fibre

insulation

Wood fibre insulation is suitable for floors, walls, partitions and roofs. It is available in rigid, semi-rigid and bulk panels.

Hemp wool

Hemp is renowned for its rot-proof, anti-fungal and thermo-regulating properties. This insulation is suitable for walls, attics, roofs and partitions.

Flax fibres

The fibres to be used must be short for them to become insulating. They are resistant to insects, rodents and moulds thanks to the presence of boron salt. Attics, roofs and walls can accommodate them well.

Sheep’s wool

Sheep’s wool is the ideal insulator to avoid hearing airborne noise. Available in panels, rolls and felt, it is intended for roofs and attics that are not habitable. To have better resistance, it is better to treat it with boron salt.

Duck feathers

Duck feathers are reserved for lost attics, walls, ceilings and floating floors. They exist in rolls and panels.

Cellulose wadding

insulation

 

Cellulose wadding insulation is intended for lost attics, partitions, floors and false ceilings. It prevents the creation of thermal bridges thanks to its lightness.

However, some of these insulations are not suitable for houses under construction. Call an eco-builder to get the right one if this is the case.

Sound off in the comments section below, and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about building a green and sustainable home.

4
Oct, 2022
How Are Cans Recycled

Top 5 Tips For Reducing Waste

Every day in the United States alone, 268 million tons of waste are buried. How can we, individually, rectify this situation? It is important to know that the waste that pollutes the least is the one that we do not produce. Here are five tips to reduce the amount of waste you produce at the source.

We are always ready to explore opportunities for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. Changing the way we do things to better protect our planet is not that difficult. Are you recycling as much as you can? So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn some of our best tips to start reducing waste and living a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. Avoid food waste

Tips on Choosing Your Sorting Garbage Can

In 2017, a study by the National Zero Waste Council indicated that nearly 2.2 million tons of edible food are thrown away each year in Canada. For the average Canadian household, that’s 140 kilograms of food thrown away per year or an annual loss of $1100! Vegetables and fruit account for a large proportion (45%) of this food waste.

To remedy this, it is advisable to plan your meals in advance. Make a grocery list and buy only the amount of food you need to cook your meals. Learn how to store your food properly so that it will last longer, and don’t hesitate to freeze any surplus.

2. Recycle your organic waste 

A majority of Americans still send their food waste to landfills rather than to the brown bin. Only half of the municipalities in the province currently offer this type of collection. However, there are many alternatives to the brown bin! First of all, conventional composting, using micro-organisms, or vermicomposting, using earthworms. Composting is not one of the most glamorous activities out there, but it is something that all of us ought to do.

If these organic processes don’t appeal to you for one reason or another, you should know that there are small appliances that can transform your organic waste into fertilizer. This machine dehydrates and grinds organic waste in a few hours, reducing its volume by nearly 90%. The fertilizer can then be used for plants and vegetable gardens.

3. Limit the use of single-use plastic

fuel

In Quebec alone, an estimated 500,000 tons of plastic are landfilled annually. By the end of the year, the federal government will ban six types of single-use plastic items, including bags, straws, and utensils. So why not adopt sustainable practices today? These include bamboo or stainless steel straws, reusable cotton, canvas or polyester bags, or reusable water bottles.

Take-out meals have become increasingly popular during the pandemic. They are great for storing food or sharing cookies with family and friends! Feel free to wash and reuse these plastic containers. So, be conscientious when eating out and ordering takeaways, don’t create more waste than is necessary, and do your part to keep waste away from landfills.

4. Buy food in bulk

The zero waste movement is growing, and there are now many grocery stores and boutiques across the province that offer their products in bulk. How does it work? You must bring your own reusable containers (cloth bags, jars, etc.). Airtight containers will be weighed before you store them. A wide selection of fresh products (fruits, vegetables, meats) and dry products (legumes, spices, flours, coffees), but also non-food products (household and hygienic products) are available in bulk, without packaging, plastic film, or trays. So much superfluous which will not end up in your household waste.

5. Use a “no flyers” sticker

sustainable

According to the non-profit organization Ville en vert, 900,000 advertising bags are distributed each week in Montreal. How many of them end up in the recycling bin unread? To reduce the amount of paper that ends up in the recycling bin, you can put a “No Flyers” sticker on your mailbox. You can also find these flyers digitally on Google.

Helping clean beaches or residential areas near you is the bare minimum and is something that all of us should start doing. You should be the change you want to see in the world, and one small step that you take can create a snowball effect and create major change later down the line. So, join a cleaning group, get out there, and take care of mother Earth because, so far, it is the only habitable planet that we know and have.

Looking for help?

For all your garbage disposal and skip bin needs, you ought to call RONCO MINI BINS/SKIP HIRE. This Australian family-owned business has over 20 years in the garbage disposal industry and is at the top of its games. They also offer expert rubbish removal and waste management services to residents and business owners in Melbourne.

So what are you waiting for? Give them a call now, and they will offer their expertise in garbage removal to both business owners and residents in the Eastern and Northern suburbs of Melbourne. If this hasn’t convinced you yet, check their website and look at their more than competitive prices!

8
Aug, 2022
Top 6 Green Building That Are Redefining Architecture

Top 6 Green Building That Are Redefining Architecture

From California to the United Arab Emirates, these projects show us the way to carbon neutrality in architecture. Fires, melting ice, floods, tornadoes… We know it all too well- and Earth Day reminded us of it last week: committing to the ecological transition is more necessary than ever. Every sector of society is concerned, as is the world of architecture, which is beginning to take measure of the climate emergency, as shown by these 6 innovative structures by major names in the field.

Combining cutting-edge aesthetics and environmental ethics, these “zero-emission” structures have the advantage of being energy-efficient and using and/or producing enough green energy to be self-sufficient. From Singapore to Copenhagen, they are, in fact, laying the foundations for the architecture of the future. Here’s a look at some of the most beautiful contemporary buildings, recently inaugurated or under construction.

1. CopenHill (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Top 6 Green Building That Are Redefining Architecture

The result of a collaboration between several very prestigious firms (including Bjarke Ingels Group, SLA, AKT, Lüchinger+Meyer, MOE, and Rambøll), CopenHill or “Amager’s Hill” is a new kind of waste incinerator. Topped with dry ski slopes, a hiking trail, and a climbing wall, the 41,000-square-meter building primarily processes about 440,000 tons of waste per year and provides low-carbon heat and power to nearly 600,000 people in Denmark. Opening in 2019 in an industrial area in Copenhagen, CopenHill is so far one of the cleanest waste incinerators in the world: its stack emits no carbon dioxide.

2. Marcel Hotel (New Haven, Connecticut)

While most Brutalist buildings date back to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, this architectural movement continues to seduce and inspire. The Marcel Hotel is proof of this. Soon to be inaugurated (on May 12 this year), it is located in a concrete tower designed in 1970 by the father of Brutalism: Marcel Breuer. At the time, it was the headquarters of the Armstrong Rubber Company, a company that specialized in rubber.

But shortly after the departure of this company in the late 1980s, the building remained unoccupied for several years. It began to collapse and was then partially demolished. A sad fate for such original architecture, so in 2020, a local developer and architect, Bruce Redman Becker, scrambled to give the structure a second life.

He bought it and decided to turn it into a hotel as a tribute to its architect. With 165 rooms, the sustainable hotel now has nine suites, an American restaurant and bar, a library lounge, and a 650-square-foot meeting/meeting space. Leed certified (a green certification in the United States) is also known as a “passive” home, designed with energy efficiency in mind.

3. La Jolla Commons (San Diego, California)

Designed by Paul Danna- one of AECOM’s principal architects- this 13-story, 28,080-square-foot building is the only “zero-carbon” building in La Jolla, an upscale neighborhood in San Diego California. With an exterior envelope composed primarily of glass, it features double-glazed windows for significant energy savings and a fuel cell system that produces more electricity than the building consumes. A true marvel of sustainable architecture, La Jolla Commons also features a floor air distribution system (improving air quality) and an extensive recycled water system used to cool and irrigate the tower.

4. BEEAH Group Headquarters (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates)

This futuristic 2,787-square-meter structure is both the first sustainable project by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and the first zero-energy building of the BEEAH Group, an international holding company. Its sustainability is ensured by its construction materials (mainly recycled), but also and above all by a powerful photovoltaic system, which produces enough energy to meet the building’s energy needs in summer.

Designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid (who passed away in 2016) and led by architect Sara Sheikh Akbari, the project is inspired by the desert landscape in which the building is set. Slightly curved, the roofs resemble windswept dunes. A feat, considering the extremely high temperatures during the hottest months and the need to air-condition the place. Sublime.

5. National University of Singapore

green

The SDE4 building (the School of Design and Environment at the National University of Singapore) is the first zero-energy structure built in the country. Designed by Serie Architects and Multiply Architects, SDE4 has been described by its architects as “a prototype of sustainable architecture.”

At nearly 2,800 square meters spread over six floors, the building is intended to become an example to follow in Singapore and embody the country’s commitment to promoting sustainability and supporting education. Combining energy efficiency, elegance, and functionality, SDE4 is a true architectural nugget in the middle of the lush jungle. It features a plaza, outdoor spaces, workshops, research spaces, a café, and a library.

6. Atlassian Tower (Sydney, Australia)

The software company Atlassian has called on the New York firm SHoP Architects and the Australian agency BVN to design its new offices in Sydney. The tower is expected to open at 183 meters high, have 40 floors in 2025, and enrich the city’s iconic skyline. Not only will it be a visual feat and earn the title of “world’s tallest hybrid wood building,” but it will also be powered 100% by renewable energy and produce no greenhouse gases.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about green buildings.