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Sunday, February 12, 2012How a Geothermal Heat Pump Works
Geothermal heat pumps are also known as “ground-source” heat pumps. This type of heating and cooling system harnesses renewable energy in a unique form: the earth’s ability to absorb and release heat. Like an air-source heat pump, a geothermal heat pump provides heated or cooled air to a building through a ductwork system. Some geothermal systems also heat water, eliminating the need for a separate water heater. A geothermal heat pump can be 44% more efficient than a comparably sized air-source heat pump. Installing a geothermal system that also provides hot water can save over $1000 per year compared to other heating and hot water options. Steady earth temperature is the secret to super-efficient performance During a cold New England winter, the temperature 6 feet below the ground surface remains around 50-55degrees F, no matter what the outside air temperature happens to be. A ground-source heat pump can “extract” this heat from the ground, multiply it by pressurizing a refrigerant, and then transfer the heat (in a heat exchanger) to air that warms a house or other building. On a hot summer day, the cycle reverses and the heat pump moves heat from your interior air to the cooler earth. “Direct-exchange” systems offer advantages in rocky New England terrain With some geothermal systems, a large trench is excavated where a long length of tubing can be buried. An antifreeze solution circulates through the tubing to transfer heat. Alternatively, the “ground loop” in a geothermal system can extend vertically in one or more holes bored in the ground. In our rocky New England soil, it’s usually more feasible and more affordable to bore a hole than to dig a large trench. In a “Direct-exchange,” or DX heat pump, refrigerant rather than antifreeze is circulated in copper ground loop tubing. DX geothermal heat pumps are super-efficient and more affordable, since the ground loop doesn’t need to be as extensive. For these reasons, CT Energy Services often recommends this type of geothermal system. Rebates and other incentives, combined with super-efficient performance and significant energy savings, make this renewable energy option very attractive.
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Monday, December 26, 2011Sun Above, Earth Below = Energy Independence
PV Solar + Battery Backup = Ultimate protection from both power outages and rate hikes
ST = Solar Thermal - Harness the Sun's rays for water heating
DX = Direct Exchange - Ground Source Geothermal
Air sealing and insulation - the first step towards "Net Zero"
PV 
“I reached out to CT Solar Services after visiting their website.” Ross continues. “I knew what I wanted; a PV system combined with battery backup.”
The photovoltaic (PV) system installed by CT Solar Services in the summer of 2011 is superior due to inclusion of a battery backup. The bank of deep-cycle, dry cell batteries in the Ross' basement is designed for safe, long-term use with a PV system. During daylight hours, the batteries "bank" solar power that can provide for most of the home’s electrical demands even after the sun goes down. “I’m still tied to the electrical grid,” says Ross, “because during cloudy weather or periods of high demand I’m still going to need more electricity than the batteries can hold." The Ross' system also incorporates dual generators to augment battery power, and Mr. Ross states "I’m planning to add more PV panels to increase the amount of solar electricity I’m able to generate and store.”
Mother Nature creates a problem, but also provides a solution
CT Solar Services completed Mr. Ross' solar energy transformation just in time to provide power through Hurricane Irene, as well as the record-breaking October snowstorm that put most of Connecticut in the dark for days. “With the power out all over, I felt really lucky to essentially be acting as my own electric utility,” he recalls. “I had trees down all over my property, and couldn’t even get out of my driveway right after the storm - but I didn’t go without power...!”
Bruce Angeloszek, owner of CT Solar Services, observes that the combination of high electricity rates and frequent power outages is getting more and more people interested in alternative power solutions. “Our solutions can incorporate generation from a PV Solar array with a backup generator, along with real-time monitoring and and power-management measures to ensure that available electricity is allocated to critical uses first,” he says. “The addition of battery backup to the overall solution makes the system cleaner and greener, as there is much less demand on the generator.” Utilizing the sun as a source of energy for free electricity is just one of the ways that CT Solar Services can harness the power of Mother Nature to provide energy independence. As Angeloszek explains, “Our unique approach incorporates a broad array of energy-saving upgrades in order to help our customers achieve maximum return on their investment.”
CT Solar Services' "holistic" approach can include some (or all) of the following:
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PV (Photovoltaic) Solar - electricity from the Sun
- ST (Solar Thermal) - water heating from the Sun
- DX (Direct Exchange) Geothermal - Ground-source systems that utilize the constant temperatures below the Earth's surface to provide both heating and cooling
- Energy-efficiency measures - critical to achieving maximum performance and cost savings
Table 1: Average electricity rates by State ($USD, per Kilowatt hour)Connecticut 18.06
Alabama 8.83
Alaska 15.09
California 13.24
Florida 11.49
Kentucky 6.52
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Monday, November 14, 2011Storm-proof power for your home! ~ Live like you normally when the power goes out!
Connecticut Electrician and Solar Energy Systems Serving all of Connecticut since 1994 Storm-proof power for your home! ~ Live like you normally when the power goes out! Stay safe, comfortable and connected to a reliable power supply, even when the power lines are down. CT Electrical Services and CT Solar Services provide comprehensive electrical and renewable energy solutions for families and businesses throughout Connecticut. Our storm-ready auxiliary power systems offer the following advantages: Go with the pros CT Electrical Services and CT Solar Services At CT Electrical Services we do the right work the right way with the right results and provide our customers the safest, most up-to-date electrical information and practice in a responsible, skilled and courteous manner. Just read our testimonial pages! Contact our master electrician, Bruce Angeloszek, for a consultation today. Call 877-723-9052 or let us contact you by filling out our online contact form. Our electrical services include:
combine full-service electrical contracting with cutting-edge renewable energy expertise. We can fully integrate solar and other renewable energy systems with existing electrical and heating systems. We can make it happen
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Monday, September 12, 2011Roof problem has solar solution for Connecticut family
Roof problem has solar solution for Connecticut family
“It’s hard to believe, but it all started with the worn-out shingles on the roof.”
That’s how Mike Tarnasky begins the story of his house transformation, completed recently by Connecticut’s leading “green energy” companies, CT Solar Services
“This is really a unique project,” explains Walter Erickson, a renewable energy specialist at CT Solar Services. “It’s one of the most comprehensive and well-integrated renewable energy upgrades we’ve completed. The 10-kilowatt PV system has the capability to cut the Tarnasky’s electric bill by as much as 90%,” he explains. “Under the right conditions, the solar thermal system has enough capacity to handle 100% of the household’s hot water needs.”
Renewable energy technology is more efficient and more affordable than ever before
The term “PV” is short for photovoltaic –the technology that makes it possible to transform the sun’s radiant energy into electricity. A “solar thermal” system harnesses sunlight in a different way, heating water that can be used for household washing tasks, for whole-house heating, or both, depending on how the system is designed.
Until recently, renewable energy technology was too expensive for most people to utilize. But several factors are making solar energy more accessible for average middle-class families. Federal, state and local programs offer incentives such as rebates, tax breaks and low-interest loans for renewable energy upgrades. Global competition to design and manufacture PV, solar thermal and other renewable energy products has driven prices down while upping system efficiencies. And finally, companies like CT Solar Services have been able to recruit and train a new generation of “green” technicians familiar with the latest tools, techniques and products in the renewable energy field.
A renewable energy makeover that began with worn-out shingles and an outdated boiler
Mike and Mary Tarnasky began to pay more attention to their house when their daughter and four young grandchildren moved in with them. “The two of us were OK bundling up in the winter to save on heating oil and coping without air conditioning in the summer,” Mike recalls, “but we realized that our daughter and grandchildren needed to be a little more comfortable.”
The Tarnaskys had several house issues to deal with. The building’s original roof shingles needed to be replaced. So did the heating system’s water boiler. Then there was the possibility of installing central air conditioning. “I started out getting bids from separate contractors for the roof, the boiler and the AC,” Mike explains. “But we also wanted to investigate the possibility of a solar system because of how much sun our house gets throughout the year.”
Mike contacted CT Solar Services after visiting the company’s website (www.ctsolarservices.com). After visits from company owner Bruce Angeloszek and energy expert Walter Erickson, the project became more ambitious but less complicated. “I know that sounds confusing,” says Mike, “but Walter explained that he could coordinate all the improvements so that I wouldn’t have to deal with a bunch of different contractors. This removed a lot of anxiety.”
Over the course of seven work days, the Tarnasky’s house underwent a major transformation. As soon as the new roof shingles were on, the CT Solar crew began installing solar panels while techs replaced an outdated boiler with a super-efficient German unit. Opting for a new hydro-air heating system meant that the old, ugly hot water baseboard heating elements could be removed. In their place, a carpenter installed new baseboard molding that looks attractive and gives every room a little more floor space.
Today the same sunlight that caused the top floor to bake on sunny summer days is powering a new central air conditioning system and also providing family members with free hot water. While he awaits software that will allow him to track his energy savings on a home computer, Mike is checking his electric meter daily to see how effectively his PV system is working. “It’s strange how things can change,” Mike observes. “For years we lived in this house thinking that the sun was a major problem. As it turns out, the sun is a great solution. It’s great to be comfortable and to be saving so much money on our electric bill.”
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Sunday, July 17, 2011Solar system enhances architectural style as well as green value
July 18, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CT Solar Services
bruce@ctsolarservices.com
sunlight is available. With some of the highest electric rates in the nation, Connecticut is prime territory for solar PV systems.
Some homeowners are concerned that adding a solar system to an existing house will detract from its appearance. But a project recently completed in the East Rock section of New Haven proves that a solar array can be a thing of beauty –not just to the homeowners who gain a source of free electricity, but to the neighborhood as a whole. Even the architect who designed the house admits to admiring the solar array that’s newly installed on the roof –and he lives right across the street.
“We definitely had a concern that David would not approve of covering most of our south roof with solar panels,” recalls homeowner Alfred Jessel. But architect David Thompson, whose office is on Chapel St. in downtown New Haven, feels good about the alteration.
“We take sustainability very seriously,” says Thompson, whose firm, David Thompson Architects, recently completed a school design that earned LEED Gold certification.*
In fact, Thompson actually designed the Jessel residence to be an energy-efficient, passive solar house. Typical of passive solar design, the south side of the house has a generous number of high-performance windows for solar gain during winter months. Windows are smaller and fewer on the north side. High levels of insulation and a super-efficient HVAC system are other notable “green” features.
“The pitch of the roof is close to ideal for a solar system at this latitude,” Thompson continues. “T he addition of the roof-mounted PV panels really completes the design.” The best compliment CT Solar Services designer/coordinator Erik Anderson could have is that the architect David Thompson likes the way it looks.
Bruce Angeloszek owner of CT Solar Services is equally pleased with the installation. “The 8.88 kilowatt system we installed for the 3,256 square foot Jessel residence is designed to offset 87% of their total electrical usage while having a pleasant view” Angeloszek explains, “so they can look forward to significant savings.”
Alfred Jessel agrees. “We’re planning a vacation, and it’s exciting to think that while we’re away, our PV system is going to be generating more electricity than our house requires. We’ll actually be selling electricity back to the utility.”
Comments:
Bruce, with our new PV system humming along under the hot sun of the past few days we wanted to let you know that we thought your installation crew did a great job. They were courteous, accommodating of our schedules, careful, neat, friendly, respectful, and safety conscious. I would recommend them again to anyone in an instant. Also, we have unanimous approval of the neighbors, so far. -- Al Jessel
*LEED stands for Leadership in Energy Efficiency Design.
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Sunday, July 17, 2011Empowering Connecticut
Empowering Connecticut is a three part series focusing on ways Connecticut residents, businesses, and communities can conserve energy use by taking advantage of low-cost energy efficiency programs, Solar Power, and CT Solar Services combine there talents for the first Energy house for training in the States technical high schools
Premieres Thursday, June 23rd at 8:30pm, 9 and 9:30pm
Part 1: Saturday, July 16; Sunday, July 17; Thursday, July 21
Part 2: Saturday, July 23; Sunday, July 24; Thursday, July 28
Part 3: Saturday, July 30; Sunday, July 31; Thursday, August 4
CT Electrical Services Volunteers time for the first E building in the State Technical high School system
“Our Children Live in the World We Give Them”
Bruce Angeloszek Owner of CT Electrical Services says “let’s give our Connecticut Technical High Students a better place for their future. An E-Building is just what our students need to prepare them for their future, sustain their careers, and keep the younger generation here in Connecticut”
Read about the first E building funded by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, CT Electrical Services is volunteering and guiding the teachers through the solar PV project. Anything they may need to make the project a learning experience for all involved.
http://www.cttech.org/central/main-news/Eco-Houses/index.html
http://www.ctcleanenergy.com/blog/
Solar Photovoltaic
The CTHSS electrical trade program will include solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. The PV systems will use actual PV panels in conjunction with equipment such as DC-AC power inverter, and specified electrical load (appliances). In addition, an assortment of balance of systems (BOS) hardware, including wiring, over current, surge protection and disconnect devices, and other power processing equipment will be used. Units will be mounted using mock structure installations. The solar PV model will also encompass testing equipment for troubleshooting solar PV systems. Students will start with bench top training and progress to the mock systems. All systems and kits will have consumables (extra wires, batteries, etc.) available to allow for instruction of future students.
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Saturday, July 02, 20119.2kw Pole Mount 17 Park Road
Where there’s a will, there’s a way –to install a solar array
Experience is a great teacher. At CT Solar Services, we’ve learned a great deal about what it takes to install a PV system in a wide variety of site conditions. Most people envision an array of panels on a roof when they think about a solar PV installation. We’ve mounted panels on roofs of all sizes, shapes and pitches, ranging from a small garage to a giant equestrian arena.
Roof installations aren’t always suitable for solar electric systems. For most of our customers, the “solar roofs” we install are admired for their green value and also for their sleek appearance. Occasionally, a homeowner will rule out the roof for aesthetic reasons. A roof’s orientation may not allow for optimum solar exposure. System size is another factor that can make a roof installation less than ideal. Even if the roof has good solar exposure, there may not be enough room for a right-sized system.
Ground-mounted PV arrays can overcome these limitations. Typically located at the northern edge of a field or meadow, a ground-mounted system relies on a steel framework to support its solar panels. Steel posts or poles are anchored in poured-concrete piers, making the installation “bombproof,” as we like to say. Underground wiring brings power to the house.
With a ground-mounted PV system, the steel framework can be pitched and oriented so the panels have maximum solar exposure. Barring the limitations imposed by trees and property lines, you can make the system as large as you like, which is why our largest systems tend to be mounted on the ground.
Whether we’re working on the roof or on the ground, we look forward to the craftsmanship and creativity that every job demands. For us, a perfect installation is one that pleases the customer, adds value to a home or business, and harnesses renewable energy to save money while helping to save our planet. 
This home owner is excited about his system, and would love to show his system to everyone on October 1 at the 2011 solar tour. Apple cider donuts hmm and apple cider provided. Take the drive to Oxford, CT you will love it.
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Friday, April 15, 2011With a Solar Energy System every day is EARTH DAY
April 22 is the birthday of Earth Day, which was celebrated for the first time back in 1970. After 41 years, Earth Day is going strong, and not just here in the
It’s good news that Earth Day has become such a global event, because Mother Earth needs all the help she can get. Even as we take pains to save energy in different ways, rapidly industrializing economies in
Earth Day is a reminder that regardless of nationality, religion, race, or economic status, we all need to do our part to preserve the natural
environment. To celebrate this unified vision, some people will leave their cars at home and bike to work. Others will plant trees or pick up trash from roadsides. Still others will volunteer to clear trails at a nature preserve or participate in local recycling efforts.
On Earth Day, we’re committed to the idea that every little bit helps. But here’s something to think about: If you install a solar system at your home or business, every day is Earth Day. Getting more energy from the sun means that we need less energy from electrical power plants that burn coal or natural gas.
To celebrate Earth Day on a whole different level, consider having a solar system installed at your house. CT Solar Services installs complete, state-of-the-art solar electric systems for homes and businesses throughout our great state. Today our PV systems are generating thousands of watts of the kind of electricity we need –power that doesn’t pollute. In addition to saving the environment, our customers are saving hundreds of dollars on their electric bills. If you want to become part of this “win-win” equation, contact us for a free solar system evaluation. At CT Solar Services, every day is Earth Day!
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Monday, February 07, 2011Solar Energy & the Connecticut Yankee
New England Yankees have always been known as penny pinchers, and Connecticut Yankees are supposed to be particularly skilled at finding ways to save money. As one historian explains, this reputation for shrewdness dates back to Colonial times, when Connecticut was called the Nutmeg State, “because its early inhabitants had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmegs.” *
Mark Twain celebrated our state’s unique brand of frugal ingenuity in an entertaining way when he published “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” back in 1889. This story focused on the matter-of-fact, can-do attitude of Hank Morgan, a Connecticut gunsmith, who found himself mysteriously transported to Arthurian England after receiving a blow to the head.
If he were alive today, Hank Morgan would certainly be interested in solar energy. The idea of getting electricity for free from the sun would simply be too good to pass up. Mr. Morgan would love the idea of installing solar panels on the roof of his house because his roof would be doing two jobs instead of one. If a neighbor happened to mention that some people think solar panels are unsightly, you can imagine his response: “Are you kidding? The PV array on my roof means I’ve got my own electric company operating for free. I can even sell excess power back to the utility company. Those solar panels are a thing of beauty!”
Of course, there’s another reason why Connecticut Yankees can be proud to promote solar energy. We value self-sufficiency, so it doesn’t sit well for us to be relying on foreign countries to fuel our cars, furnaces and electrical generators. Generating more energy from the sun means spending less on fuel from outside our borders. Ongoing rebate and tax incentive programs are definitely helping more people to invest in solar energy. But if you’re a Connecticut Yankee, you’ve got another incentive to harness the sun’s power –a desire to uphold the shrewd, frugal reputation of the Nutmeg State.
*According to the book “State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers, and Other Symbols” by George Shankle (New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1941)
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Monday, February 07, 2011Leading the way in solar energy
CT Solar Services is helping to train tomorrow’s solar system installers
The New Energy Economy is alive and thriving right here in Connecticut. In fact, our state has assumed a leadership role in promoting the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar hot water (solar thermal) systems. Right now, three of Connecticut’s 16 technical schools are completing special “E-Houses” (short for Eco-House) where fully functional solar PV and solar thermal systems will be installed. Goodwin THS in New Britain, Wolcott THS in Torrington, and Grasso THS in Groton are the three schools that will launch the E-House program, with other schools to follow.
Each new E-house will be fully functional and linked back to the school and to the electrical grid. Electricity generated by the solar PV array will be used by the school, or sold back to the local electrical utility. The solar thermal system will produce hot water that will be available to the school’s hot water system. The E-House program is designed so that students will be able to learn a comprehensive range of solar system design and installation skills.
It takes funding, planning, organization and determination to keep our technical schools up to date. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF; www.ctcleanenergy.com) and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF; www.ctsavesenergy.org) are providing special funding for the E-House initiative. Our company, CT Solar Services, is also contributing to this effort. We’re volunteering our time to supervise the PV installation and coach the students at Goodwin High School throughout the installation process. We’re proud to be actively participating in this effort to make renewable energy more accessible to Connecticut residents –not just today, but in the greener future we’re all aiming to build. It’s what our company is all about.
Posted By: Bruce Angeloszek @ 4:23:28 PMTop
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