Overview of Thermostats and Advanced Air Conditioning System Controls For AC and Heat Pumps

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Thermostats: Tools That Manage HVAC Performance

In basic definition, thermostats and advanced A/C system controls function as simple on/off switches. The switch trips whenever changes in the indoor air temperature of a structure nears the associated thermostat’s set point. But modern HVAC performance involves much more the simplicity of an on/off thermostat control function.

The following overview reviews the power of thermostats and advanced A/C system controls.

Basic Thermostat and A/C System Control Processes

In 1883, Warren S. Johnson invented the first electric room thermostat. The Johnson Controls technology used mercury and electrodes inserted directly through the glass. The systems were accurate within one degree of temperature.

Skip ahead. In modern technology, most 2014 air conditioning and heat pump thermostats operate on low voltage control circuits that pull 24 volts AC from a control transformer installed within the home’s heating or cooling equipment. Low voltage control technology provides a safety advantage that enables the thermostat to operate multiple electromechanical contractors, relays and sequencers at inherently safe voltage. Modern systems also include an integrated “anticipation” function that activates the contacts in a manner that prevents room temperatures from overshooting the desired temperature settings. And all this excludes the growing range of features associated with modern programmable thermostats & controllers.

Pre-digital Heating and Air Conditioning Thermostats

In 1953, Honeywell introduced the T-86 “Round” thermostat technology. This bimetallic-spring regulated room thermostat still controls millions of home heating and cooling systems throughout the world.

Typically mounted on a central wall within the home, the traditional Honeywell thermostat uses a basic dial-type round-controller design that includes two temperature scales and two temperature pointers. The top scale and pointer provides the adjustable components of the system. The bottom scale shows the actual physical temperature in the chosen area of the home. Rotating the pointer in the top scale to the right increases the desired heating requirements. Rotating the pointer in the top scale to the left decreases the desired temperature setting.

In the early years, thermostats designed to control both cooling and heating included a manual setting switch at the base of the unit. This switch, also seen in rectangular units of the pre-digital era, can be moved from heat-to-off-to-cool or back again. The temperature sensor within the units compare the air temperature near the thermostat to the settings of the system and turn on or off the associated heating or cooling equipment as appropriate. The heat/cool/off control switch assures that only the selected equipment can activate at any one time.

Digital Era Thermostats and Controllers

By the year 2005, nearly 97% of U.S. households used installed heating systems. During the same time frame, only 75% of the U.S. households used air conditioning. But the world is changing and the changing climates associated with global warming continue to press upward the demand for installed air conditioning.

Modern programmable thermostat and controller technology bestows a dramatic increase in features and capabilities. From simple on/off heating and cooling to controlled ventilation systems and from manual settings to controllers that respond to electricity price-signals the home air conditioning and heat pump management system engages in a whole new arena of thermal comfort and energy savings.

And then along come thermostats and advanced air conditioning controls that link directly into the home Internet networking system. Wonder what comes next?

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Source by RM Harrington

How Are Plastic Injection Molded Parts Manufactured?

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Plastic Injection Molding is used to produce part of almost every product in your home or business. It is the fastest method of forming plastic available. There are many benefits of plastic injection molding process including reliability and cost effectiveness. The products that are produced with the help of this process generally do not require any more finishing. In this process, all the equipment used are modern, sophisticated and efficient, also called as the injection molding machines. The machinery involved is very heavy and can even weigh thousands of pounds. It is only due to these heavy machines that the end products are of the best quality. This machines heats up the plastic to bring it to its liquid form. This shows that the machines need to tolerate higher temperature and require highly sophisticated parts for the purpose.

When the plastic is injected into the mold or the cavity through gates, it takes the particular shape of the mold, after the plastic is cooled down in the mold, it is ejected out of the mold. These cavities can be utilized for getting desired plastic into almost any shape. There are of course cost considerations when designing plastic and experienced engineers will understand the cost trade-off of different design features. There are two components of the mold, which are injection and ejector mold. The liquefied plastic resin is put into the mold for getting set into the shape and the plastic part is ejected through the ejector mold once it is solidified. There is no damage caused to the product and it is ejected safely with the help of ejecting pins.

Next procedure includes the application of mechanical or the hydraulic pressure, when the air is trapped in the mold and needs to get released. The process is called as Dwelling process. The air is released as the cavities filled with air are pushed aside in the corner due to the pressure application. Afterwards the liquid gets solidified thereby cooling down the mold. In the end the solidified plastic is brought out of the mold which could be done either in an automatic or manual way.

There occurs a significant change in the physical and chemical properties of the plastic product thus formed after the cooling process. The most prominent feature of this process of Plastic Injection Molding is the mold width. Generally, a mold with the uniformly thick walls is preferred as it decreases the changes brought about in the mechanical properties of the plastic product.

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Source by Michael J Ryan

Why You Should Never Compromise On Whole House Ventilation

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Every room in the home must be ventilated properly. Why so? The costs of poor ventilation are developing and aggravating respiratory infections, structural damage especially for timber, and inhaling permanently stale musty air. This is only at the surface. Neural damage by substances released by mold is a lethal threat according to Mould Factsheet Australia.

Humidity is one element, just like temperature that must just be at a standard level. Too much of it and you’ll be bewildered by the wild growth of mold in virtually all corners of the home. Too little of it and you’ll battling sore throats and itchy eyes all year round. With proper ventilation, you can keep these problems at bay. Natural ventilation may not be sufficient.It is scientifically proven that sometimes, opening windows causes energy loss. When the windows are wide open, the air will carry the heat away with it. Also, in busy and noisy places, natural ventilation may not be an option. You will most probably need mechanical devices that will work quickly, efficiently and quietly at the same time.

A proper ventilation will do four major things: it will balance the humidity in the house, let in fresh air while expelling the stale, cool the air during summer and heat it during winter. Standard number 62.2 of ASHRAE recommends a ventilation rate of 0.35 air changes per hour in homes. Australian Standard AS1668.2 for mechanical ventilation of homes requires the same.

Streaming windows are a sign of a problem with ventilation inside the home. That level of condensation is considered dangerous because it provides a conducive environment for mildew. This combined with heat is a recipe for disaster.

During winter when you need more heat, it may help to have dark paint on walls. They absorb and retain heat for longer. Air from rooms that are directly exposed to sunlight like attics is warmer most of the time. When distributed downward by fans, it warms the home further.

You can conserve energy by installing a Heat Recovery Ventilation System which balances the air in the room. It has fans that expel and propel air into the room while heating or cooling it at the same time. In the long run, it saves you money otherwise spent on cooling or heating the home separately. It is one of the best ventilation systems available because it uses stale air to warm the incoming one.

Mechanical devices all have their devices. When choosing one, go for one whose speed is regulated. High powered fans can stir toxic lead or asbestos fiber. For health purposes, inspect your home regularly, especially areas that are not used frequently for structural damage. Dust and mop the home regularly to combat this.

You need economical yet effective whole house ventilation systems. You can find an amazing variety of options when you scout for them or find an excellent fitter. They will advise you, offer to visit and assess your home, recommend the best system, give you free quotations and after that, set it up.

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Source by Matt Reardon

Tips To Use a Mold Test Kit To Identify Mold In Your House Or Office

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If you want to identify mold, you can use a lot of different methods. However, identifying the mold will be easier for you if you choose to use a good quality mold test kit. Based on your needs, you can choose from three different methods. One method involves using samples of the substance, while the other two involve using spore methods. It will be easier for you to use the test kit because each kit comes with simple instructions. Given below are a few tips you can use for testing your office or home environment.

Test the Suspicious Substance

First of all, you need to use the sampling swab to get this to get a sample of the substance you think contains mold. Your next move is to put the medium in the mold test kit.

After 6 to 7 days, if nothing grows in the culture medium, the substance does not have a growing mold. But if you notice mold in the medium, you have a mold problem to deal with. In this case, you can send the kit to your nearby laboratory for a detailed analysis.

Do an Air Quality Test

Place one mold test kit in each of the room you want to test. Make sure the lids of the kits are open. Close the lids after an hour or so. After 3 years 7 days, you will notice the growth of mold in the test kit.

You may want to compare the kits with each other to identify the types of mold. Next, if you notice that you have different types of mold to deal with, you may want to send your kits to your nearby Liberty for further analysis. This will help you take the right steps to eliminate mold from your office or home in a timely fashion.

Test your Heating and Cooling System

First of all, you need to attach the mold test kit to the cooling or heating system air vent. Switch on the system for a few minutes once you have made sure all of the other vents are properly closed. After a few minutes, remove the kit and close it.

After about 6 to 7 days, you will notice mold in the kit. Again, if you notice different types of mold in the kit, we recommend that you contact your nearby laboratory for further assistance.

At the lab, the experts will use state-of-the-art equipment to identify the different types of mold you have in your house. Based on different test results, they will tell you whether you have toxigenic, pathogenic, or allergenic mold in your house. Once you have received the results from the lab, you can call them to find out which course of action you should take in order to deal with the problem.

In short, if you have a mold problem in your house, using a good quality mold test kit is a great idea especially if you want to deal with the problem yourself. Hopefully, these tips will help you find a solution to your problem.

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Source by Dhanusuya K

Commercial Tanning Beds: Which One to Choose?

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There are numerous commercial tanning bed styles to choose from today with each one offering unique features along with benefits. There are beds for all types of people depending on their skin type, length of time or whether prefer standing. There many types to choose from depending on the style and specific purpose. Because of this, it’s a good idea to research before purchasing one. The following paragraphs detail the types of commercial tanning beds that could be right one for you.

Tanning beds are categorized based on the session times (in minutes) which is directly related to the amount of UV lighting is emitted. These session times determine the maximum exposure period that a person should be exposed to. Maximum rates can range from 8 to 20 minutes per session/per day. The lamps that emit the UV rays can range from 30 to 75 system tanning lamps. Manufactures position these lamps on the canopy and bench in many variations thus focusing on the essential areas of the body. Most beds even include high pressure facials and shoulder tanners. The facial and shoulder lamps are strategically placed where the head and shoulders would be positioned and help distribute the UV lighting efficiently and safely.

The common horizontal based tanning booth is great for people who like to lay and relax while they patiently tan, but there are some people who prefer to stand so they don’t miss out on the tanning spots. There are vertical standing booths available that provide the same quality results. These are great for people who like to stand and have more control over specific areas of the body that are exposed. For wide body types like bodybuilders, manufactures have developed wide tanning beds to accustom their physic.

Some of the newest technology is being incorporated within the commercial tanning beds. Many include a surround sound speaker system, MP3 audio connectivity, the latest UV filters, aromatherapy and décor lighting for light therapy.

Many beds include their own cooling system, which helps keep the user cool as the warmth from the lamps can make the person a little warm. Some have integrated fine misters and controllable fan system. It’s like your own personal spa with all the essentials that you need. There’s even an automated voice system that can act as a vocal status and temperature announcer.

Don’t forget to take into consideration the electrical specifications to accommodate the beds. These tanning beds run at an extremely high-wattage. Please consult a professional when purchasing a tanning bed.

Once you’ve decided what type of tanning bed is right for you or your business please be sure to research on the many sales distributors online of in your local area.

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Source by Louie P

The Right Skin Care for the Right Kind of Skin

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A popular quote by Dr. Howard Murad says, “Healthy skin is a reflection of overall wellness”. This quote beautifully sums up the need to protect your skin against all odds because it reflects the state of your inner self. So a basic mantra to attain a glowing skin is to stay healthy and happy from inside.

The next step is to first understand your skin type and then caress it with the right kind of care. However, we generally don’t pay any heed to such details and victimize our skin with chemical loaded beauty care products. Such products damage the skin and make it appear dull and worn out.

According to Ayurveda, there are basically three types of skin- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Let’s try to understand each of these types.

  1. Vata Skin Type

The Vata type is characterized by dry, rough, wrinkled, and thin skin with small pores. It is highly sensitive to dry windy weather and can get easily dehydrated. If not treated with care, vata skin can age faster and look dry and flaky always.

Tips for Vata Skin Care

  • Apply products that contain a fusion of essential oils and natural herbs
  • Try to minimize the level of your mental and emotional stress as it pumps out vital juices out of the skin and makes it dehydrated
  • Drink at least 8 glass of water every day and consume juicy fruits in your regular diet
  • Correct the Vata imbalance by taking Vata Churna and Vata Tea
  1. Pitta Skin Type

Pitta type is characterized by fair, sensitive, and soft skin. It is vulnerable to freckles and moles and has tolerance to hot and spicy food. In absence of proper care, this skin type can develop rashes, acne, or sunburns.

Tips for Pitta Skin Care

  • Apply products that produce cooling effect on the skin
  • Protect yourself from harsh Sun rays by applying natural Sun protection creams
  • Avoid consuming hot and spicy food and exercising in the hot area
  • Drink plenty of water every day and consume healthy organic food
  • Avoid the application of chemical-based cosmetics
  1. Kapha Skin Type

People with Kapha type have oily, heavy, soft, dull, dense skin with large pores. Compared to other two types, this one is less prone to ageing and wrinkles. This skin type is susceptible to enlarged pores, excessive oil, blackheads, and pimples. If not treated well, it can develop cystic acne.

Tips for Kapha Skin Care

  • Stay away from oily, fried, and heavy foods and switch to green leafy vegetables
  • Detoxify your body with fruits and vegetables and keep your digestive system in order
  • Consume Kapha Churna and Kapha Tea to correct the kapha imbalance in your body
  • Drink plenty of water every day and eat more of fruits and green vegetables

After you have identified your skin type, the next step is to choose the right products. A right kind of skin care with right kind of products leads to healthy and glowing skin. The best way to do this is by opting for natural and herbal products. Market is flooded with natural skin care products but always remember that the word ‘natural’ is not regulated and the authenticity of its claim needs to be checked every time.

Here are the guidelines that you must keep in mind before buying any skin care product.

  1. Check the list of ingredients mentioned on the product before buying it
  2. Check for ‘Natural Ingredient Standard’ benchmark on the product
  3. Check that the product does not contain Sulfates Parabens or Petrochemicals
  4. Say ‘No’ to fragrances, preservatives, and additives and go for mineral based natural make up products

Natural products are enriched with herbs and natural oils. These ingredients are gentle and they do not harm your skin. Here are some of the effective natural herbs that should become a part of your beauty care regime.

  • Kumkumadi Oil

Kumkumadi Oil is effective in treating acne & pimples and makes the skin tone even while brightening the complexion.

  • Chandan

Chandan or sandalwood possesses germicidal properties and it is very effective in balancing the surface oil and moisture content of the skin.

  • Haldi

Haldi, a natural antiseptic, is very effective in curing pimples and other skin related problems. It helps in improving the complexion and makes the skin clear and glowing.

  • Kesar

Kesar has been used since ages to brighten the complexion and is also helpful in treating acne, pimples, blemishes, and black spot.

  • Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a magical herb that keeps the skin moisturized. It is very effective in treating chapped lips and dry & itchy skin. It works wonder in making the skin smooth, supple & youthful.

  • Tulsi

Tulsi acts as an antiseptic & natural astringent that refreshes the skin and makes it glowing.

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Source by Iti Mathur

The "Not So Cool" Story of Refrigeration

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Imagine a modern home without a refrigerator? Well, it’s hard to even think what we would do without refrigeration. Modern cities in developed countries depend heavily on refrigeration to keep perishable food items fresh and safe for daily consumption. The technique of refrigeration has impacted agriculture, industry and lifestyles across centuries evolving from ice harvesting to temperature controlled rail cars.

Refrigeration is the name given to the process that ‘removes heat from one location to another’ creating a cool or cold environment that has many applications like household refrigerators, air conditioning systems, cryogenic facilities and industrial freezer units.

The idea of cooling beverages has its origin in the ancient Chinese and Roman empires. Seasonal harvesting of snow and ice is a practice dated prior to 1000 B.C. according to a collection of Chinese lyrics from the period known as the Shih dynasty. The next mention of ice harvesting is in the time of the Jews and is mentioned in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Other civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans made use of large snow pits lined with tree branches and chaff to cool beverages and keep fruit cool. But it was not until the Persian culture when the usage of an ice pit called Yakhchal is mentioned; this may be the precursor to cold storage of food for preservation.

In the early 1800s, ice became a mass-market commodity with a large majority of people using ice boxes to store dairy products, fish, fruits, meat and vegetables, thus paving the way for the acceptance of refrigeration technology.

Refrigeration – the timeline

William Cullen, a Scottish professor was the first to examine the idea of artificial refrigeration by creating a partial vacuum over a container of diethyl ether that absorbed heat from the surrounding air. This was in 1755 but the experiment had no practical application at that time.

In 1758, professors Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley investigated the principle of evaporation as a means of rapidly cooling an object by conducting an experiment at Cambridge University.

In the year 1820, renowned British Scientist Michael Faraday used high pressures and low temperatures to liquefy ammonia and other gases.

American scientist Jacob Perkins working in Great Britain in 1834, assembled the first ever closed-cycle vapor compression refrigeration system. Although the prototype, not patented, was the first known system to function successfully, it did not have any commercial success.

American physician John Gorrie made a similar attempt in 1842 but again it was a commercial failure.

The first patented, practical vapor compression refrigeration system using alcohol, ether or ammonia came in 1856 built by James Harrison.

In 1860, Ferdinand Carre of France patented his gas absorption refrigeration system design referred to as “aqua ammonia”, the process of using gaseous ammonia dissolved in water.

Meanwhile, an engineering professor at the Technological University Munich in Germany had been working on an improved method of liquefying gases. In 1876 he patented this new process which was made possible by using gases such as ammonia, sulphur dioxide and methyl chloride as ‘refrigerants’, a practice that began to be widely used until the late 1920s.

A refrigerant is a substance or chemical used in a heat cycle, as in the case of refrigeration, to convert liquid into gas.

By the turn of the 19th century, refrigeration came to play a vital role in the food distribution industry first through natural ice and then on manufactured ice. Many food and meat packing houses in America adopted ammonia-cycle refrigeration units for their storage facilities.

With the idea of artificial refrigeration a huge success, came the thought of refrigeration for household purposes. The limitations were largely on account of size as they were designed for installation on lorries, truck and storage houses and the safety factor in case of fire accidents where toxic gases leaked or exploded.

Refrigeration for the home

In 1911, General Electric (GE) became the first company to overcome the challenges of meeting refrigeration needs for the home. GE released a household unit powered by gas that eliminated the need for a motor and considerably decreased the size of the unit. However, the idea of a gas-powered unit did not go down well with electric customers of GE so an electric model framework was set into operation.

In 1927, Monitor Top, the world’s first ever refrigerator to run on electricity was released. The idea created waves with many other companies hitching their bandwagon in the run-up to improve upon this new invention.

One of GE’s main competitors, Frigidaire entered the fray in 1930, synthesizing Freon as a refrigerant. This was a breakthrough invention that enabled the development of cheaper, lighter and smaller refrigerators for home use. At that time the use of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) was considered to be less harmful than the more commonly used refrigerants like ammonia, methyl chloride and sulphur dioxide. The intent was to provide safer home equipment at affordable prices.

Nowadays, home refrigerators have become stylized home appliances with a variety of designs, colors and sizes with varying temperature control functions to cater to the needs of small, medium and large families.

Environment concerns

In the 1970s when the world became aware of environmental concerns and global warming, these CFC compounds were found to be reacting with the protective atmospheric ozone layer bringing down the use of CFCs as a refrigerant as laid down in the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Today, manufacturers have embraced the idea of using eco-friendly refrigerants like hydrocarbons as a means to combat global warming and reduce the impact of greenhouse gases.

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Source by Urvi Tandon

FDA Approved 1000mW Typhoeus Series Red Laser Pointer Review

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This 1000mW Typhoeus series red laser pointer is really a master piece of 650nm laser diode technology. There is never a red color laser that is more visible and powerful than this 1000mW red color portable laser. It is no doubt an ideal choice for laser men to use this powerful laser in various kinds of burning and popping experiments.

Once concerned of a high power laser more than 500mW, we always begin to pay attention to the danger of a Class IV laser. People should be cautious enough with safety operation in any occasion. First and most important of all should be the design of a laser device. In order to reach FDA standard, this Typhoeus series red laser pointer is especially designed with power switch, LED indicator, key switch, and remote connector switch. No matter anywhere people can always keep safe operation of this kind of high power lasers. In addition, there is extra designed lens cover in front of the laser pointer, which is not only useful to cover lens from dust but also a very helpful method to prevent hurt to humans by occasional opening of laser without being noticed. All of these cautious designs have just made it a 100% FDA approved portable laser that can be legally owned by laser fans and enthusiasts.

In order to assure its long time continuous pointing and stable operation, this FDA approved Typhoeus series 1000mW red color laser pointer is produced by very strict tests from time and time again. This brass coated red color gadget is equipped with extra cooling system in order to make sure of its stability during long time continuous operation. This is a long lifetime red laser whose lifetime can reach at least 8000 hours. People always feel it worth purchasing after many times experiments.

It is also a high efficient red laser pointer powered by rechargeable battery. Powered by 1 3.6V 18650 Lithium-ion battery, this high output power laser pointer is always pointing super powerful and bright light in atmosphere. The continuous pointing of red laser beam has just made a colorful world. Its powerful beam can always make a sudden burning or popping in various kinds of experiments.

This powerful gadget can always bring super cool experience during burning and popping experiment, but safety is especially important whenever holding such a high power laser in hands. Although not as visible as green laser, this 650nm red laser pointer is an especially powerful portable laser to hold in hands. Please always remember to wear laser safety goggles to protect eyes safe. Do remember to keep distance from human beings and far away from residential. Never try to star at its powerful beam or spot. Enjoy the laser fan from now on, guys!

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Source by Belinda Hazels

A Brief History of Pegson Pumps

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British based Pegson has been around since 1931 although it can actually be dated back to 1831 when it was initially founded as Samuel Pegg & Son. Starting up by manufacturing in the textile and quarry industry Pegson has grown significantly since it was originally founded both in size, structure and specialism. Now holding over 70 years experience in manufacturing water pumps Pegsons produce a range of centrifugal pumps, plunger pumps and sewage pumps with their pump systems such as their engine cooling pumps in high demand. Originally intended for use in mining and its associated industries the use of Pegson pumps has since evolved into other industries including shipping and transport.

This shift could be accredited to their mergers with Brown Lennox and Terex. Pegson merged with Brown Lennox to form BL-Pegson in 1996 when they both became part of the Powerscreen group. This was followed in a merger with an American based company Terex in 1999 to form Terex Pengson Ltd, helping to expand their brand and products internationally by acting as a driving force in the companies strategy. Now under the global name of Powerscreen, Terex Pegson Ltd has continually evolved its products to reflect the industries demands and has been awarded two Queens Awards for Enterprise, once in 2002 and then again in 2005. By evolving with the industry Terex Pegson saw its industry boom resulting in an 80% growth in exports, which is one of the main reasons for their Queens Award for Enterprise in 2005.

Manufacturing pumps in a wide variety of materials including cast iron and bronze means that Pegson pumps are ideal for a wide variety of applications and industries. Their reputation within the industry speaks volumes about the quality of their products world-wide. They have a host of large client names to their roster including brands such as Caterpillar and Ruston who use their engine cooling pumps in many of their engine systems.

Pegson are known for producing quality reliable pumps which can withstand usage in the toughest of industries. Producing both fresh and sea water pumps in a range of materials Pegson have gone on to produce a range of self priming pumps ideal for use in challenging conditions due to the reduced risk of damage to the pump when in use, increasing its popularity in demanding industries such as shipping, construction and mining.

Although Pegson have since focused on their mining and construction based products their pumps and knowledge of the technology in the industries is still very much in demand world wide.

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Source by David A Robinson

Why a Heat Pump May Be the Best Way to Cool Your Home

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It is impossible to turn on the news or open up a paper or magazine these days without seeing something about global warming. Ironically, one of the causes for the rising temperature of the planet is the energy used by the very products and systems we so desperately need to deal with mercurial temperature extremes. One way to cope with both situations simultaneously is to look at installing a heat pump in one’s home rather than a standard gas or electric furnace.

There are many different types of heat pumps, the most common being an air-source. This works through heat transfer rather than creation. Instead of using power to generate heating or cooling, it essentially uses the process of conduction to exchange hot air for cold. The system works using two sets of copper coils, one on the interior of the home, one on the exterior, and a compressor. Heat will be extracted from the outside air and transferred inside to warm the dwelling. The directionality can be reversed in the summer to draw warm air from inside the house and direct it out.

An even more energy efficient form of heat pump is a geothermal (geo-exchange, ground source, or water-source) pump. Because earth and water are insulators in and of themselves, and therefore have a more consistent temperature than air, a pump sourced a few inches into the earth or water require less energy to produce the same temperature.

Both systems will result in higher energy efficiency and reduced costs over the long run, but do have added costs at the initial installation. The geothermal pump is by far the most efficient, but is also the most expensive and labor-intensive to install, though the end result will be worth the outlay. Another type of heat pump is dual-sourced, which combines the two and is somewhat less expensive, though with a concomitant reduction of energy savings.

When properly installed, heat pumps will reduce home heating and cooling costs, reduce heating repair bills, and will work as well as a central heating system in the right climate.

Climate is the caveat that needs to be observed when considering swapping out one’s existing heating system for this model. In areas with extremes of cold, pumps may not provide the desired indoor temperature. Ground-source pumps are better equipped for this area, as are absorption heat pumps that are backed up with a gas heater to provide extra warming when necessary.

This is not an exhaustive list. There are a variety of systems to suit a range of home configurations and desired services. The Department of Energy offers a website and publications to help the discerning homeowner make the best choice.

While such systems are an excellent alternative to standard, often outdated heating and cooling systems (or those in need of substantial repair), one needs to take into consideration their efficacy in any given area and climate. They are particular ideal for temperate areas like Atlanta, where the temperatures rarely dip into extreme cold. When installed by a reputable contractor, they can be an excellent way to move heat out of the house.

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Source by Brian Figlioli