The Freewatt Plus Warm Air System captures waste energy from a furnace component and converts it into electricity, producing 1.2 kW whenever the furnace is running. It also provides backup power during an outage.
www.freewatt.com
COGENERATION WASTE NOT
Cogeneration has been common at large factories for decades. It’s basically a way of squeezing more work out of fossil fuels. Also known as combined heat and power (CHP) generation systems, these mechanical wonders put the waste heat generated by a home furnace or boiler to work making electricity. By some estimates, they achieve 90% efficiency, compared with 30%–40% from your local power station. If you’re already replacing or installing a new boiler or furnace, why not take it to another level and try cogeneration?
GLOSSARY OF TERMS KNOW THE LINGO
> Inverter
Device that converts direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC), the type of power most commonly used by U.S. appliances and light fixtures.
> Grid-Tied
Electricity produced on site (from photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, etc.) is fed directly into local power lines, rather than being stored in batteries.
> Cogeneration
Production of electricity from heat that would otherwise be wasted, such as hot flue gases produced by a gas-powered furnace or boiler.
> Wind Maps
Useful for siting (and evaluating the viability of) wind turbines, wind maps show how much wind can be expected in a geographic region or specific site.
> Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
Electricity generating solar panels that have been designed to resemble various familiar types of roofing.
> Standby Heat Loss
Heat lost by hot water that is sitting passively in a storage tank or pipes. Super-insulated hot water tanks greatly reduce this loss.
DOUBLE-DUTY PV SYSTEM
EchoFirst’s solar electric/thermal systems capture a wider spectrum of the sun’s energy than standard PV panels, by using the same panels to generate both electricity and heat. According to its maker, Echo transforms a 15% efficient PV panel into a 50% efficient panel, by moving air across the panel to cool it. Without such cooling, panels normally lose their efficiency as temperatures increase. Heated and cooled air are supplied through the home’s duct system or dedicated air registers. The system supplies pre-heated ventilation air on winter days and pre-cooled ventilation air on summer nights.
www.echofirst.com
11.2011
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