Purdue University Analysts Demonstrate Us 1 Great Solution to Lower 50% of Winter Heating Expenses

Researchers at Purdue University will work on a new research project that promises the opportunity to cut heating bill by 50 % for those who live in very cold climates. The analysis, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, builds on previous work that began about five-years ago at Purdue’s Ray W. Herrick Laboratories.

Heat pumps provide heating in winter and cooling in summer but are not efficient in extreme cold climates. The study involves changes to the way heat pumps operate to ensure they are more cost-effective in extreme cold temperatures.

The revolutionary technology works by modifying the traditional vapor-compression cycle behind standard air-con and refrigeration.

The normal vapor-compression cycle has four stages:
1° Refrigerant is compressed as a vapor
2° Condenses into a liquid
3° Expands to a combination of liquid and vapor
4° Then evaporates

The project will investigate two cooling approaches throughout the compression process.

In one approach, relatively large amounts of oil are injected into the compressor to absorb heat generated throughout the compression stage.

In the second approach, a combination of liquid and vapor refrigerant from the expansion stage is injected at various points during compression to supply cooling.

The brand new heat pumps may be half as expensive to work as heating technologies now utilised in cold regions where natural gas is unavailable and residents rely on electric heaters and liquid propane.

In the meanwhile here some tips to improve you home air quality and save energy:

- Ensure your thermostat is located in a spot that isn’t too cold or hot.

- Install an automatic timer to keep the thermostat at 68 degrees in daytime and 55 degrees during the night time.

- Use storm or thermal windows in colder areas. The layer of air between the windows acts as insulation helping to keep the heat inside the places you are interested.

- If you haven’t already, insulate your attic and all outside walls.

- Insulate floors over unheated spaces such as your basement, any crawl spaces as well as your garage.

- Close off the attic, garage, basement, spare bedrooms and storage areas. Heat just those rooms that you use.

- Seal gaps around any pipes, wires, vents or other openings that could transfer your heat to areas that are not heated.

- Dust is a wonderful insulator and tends to build up on radiators and baseboard heat vents.

Most people have no idea that common indoor air quality practices lower home air heating costs too:

- Rain and high humidity can bring moisture indoors, creating dampness, fungus — big problems for healthy indoor air. Look at your roof, foundation and basement or crawlspace annually to catch leaks or moisture problems and route water away from your home’s foundation.

- Keep asthma triggers away from your home by fixing leaks and drips as soon as they start. Standing water and high humidity encourage the development of dust mites, mold and mildew — probably the most common triggers that can worsen asthma. Use a dehumidifier or ac unit if needed, and clean both regularly.

- High levels of moisture in your home increase dampness and the growth of mold, which not only damage your property but threaten health. Install and run exhaust fans in bathrooms to remove unhealthy moisture and odors out of your home.

- Ventilate your kitchen stove directly outside or open a kitchen window when you cook. Keeping exhaust — including cooking odors and particles — outside of your home prevents dangerous fumes and particles from harming you or your family.

About the writer – Rosalind Dall writes for the ductless split air conditioner blog, her personal hobby blog related to ideas to help people consume less energy and purify indoor air.