What is Green Building?

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, green or sustainable building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition. Research and experience increasingly demonstrate that when buildings are designed and operated with their lifecycle impacts in mind, they can provide great environmental, economic, and social benefits. Elements of green building include:

• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Water Stewardship
• Environmentally Preferable Building Materials and Specifications
• Waste Reduction
• Toxins
• Indoor Environment
• Smart Growth and Sustainable Development

Not sure where to start? Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program offers fact sheets and case studies on many of the "green" building techniques discussed on this page.

Renewable Energy Projects: Guiding You Through the Process

Assess Your Property’s Renewable Energy Potential

O'Leary Plumbing & Heating is committed to working with you to provide clean and efficient solutions for light commercial applications, new homes and remodeling projects.

Hydronic Heating Thermal Solar Water Heating Geothermal Heat Water Conservation

Credits and Rewards

Hydronic Heating

Hydronic heating can be adapted to fit a wide range of applications. See this article from RPA to learn about the options and some guidelines for fitting this heat into your project.

Types of Floor Heating Systems

The number one benefit to a radiant floor heating system is comfort. A forced air system delivers heat which quickly rises to the ceiling, while a radiant floor heating system "radiates" heat from the floor and delivers the heat evenly throughout the rooms.
Other benefits include:

• Silent operation. No hum or whistle of a forced air system.
• Inconspicuousness of the system. You don't see vents or hear air blowing.
• Energy savings. Evenly distributed heat from a radiant floor heating system can allow the thermostat to be set 2-4° less than in a forced air heating system. This can reduce energy costs by 10-40%. (Check with the utility in your area to verify what a 2-4° temperature decrease would amount to in savings in your area).
• A healthier home. Forced air systems can spread dust, pollen, and germs.
• Even, quiet warmth. Even with wood, tile, or uncovered concrete floors.
• Less likely to dry out your breathing passages and skin.

Back to Top

Thermal Solar Water Heating

Links to help you learn more about Thermal Solar Water Heating.
US Department of Energy
Solar Hot Water Fact Sheets & Case Studies

Back to Top

Geothermal

Geothermal energy is heat from within the earth. We can use the steam and hot water produced inside the earth to heat buildings or generate electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth. Geothermal heat pumps use stable ground or water temperatures near the earth's surface to control building temperatures above ground.

While temperatures above ground change a lot from day to day and season to season, temperatures in the upper 10 feet of the Earth's surface hold nearly constant between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For most areas, this means that soil temperatures are usually warmer than the air in winter and cooler than the air in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for temperature control. Although, most homes still use traditional furnaces and air conditioners, geothermal heat pumps are becoming more popular. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Energy along with the EPA have partnered with industry to promote the use of geothermal heat pumps.

Heat pumps are especially well matched to in-floor radiant heating systems. Using large surfaces such as floors, as opposed to radiators, distributes the heat more uniformly and allows for a lower temperature heat transfer fluid. The Earth below the frost line remains at a relatively constant temperature year round. Because this temperature remains constant, geothermal heat pumps perform with far greater efficiency and in a far larger range of extreme temperatures than conventional air conditioners and furnaces.

The closed horizontal loop is placed below the frost line (1 to 2 meters underground). In a horizontal closed loop system the pipe is often laid out as a helix to increase the contact area per length.

For more information download this document from Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program
Geothermal Heat Pump Fact Sheet

Back to Top

International Ground Source Heat Pump Association offers a great deal of information about Geothermal Heat. Check out their website by clicking the above photo.

Water Conservation

Kohler offers water-saving products

Back to Top