1. What is sustainable energy? Sustainable energy is best thought of as energy which can be replenished within a human lifetime and which causes no long-term damage to the environment. Solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy, amongst others, are all self-sustaining. They all have sources that cannot be depleted. Extended use of these energy sources aids the conservation of other non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels.
2. How does a heat pump work? The technology inside a heat pump works on similar principles to those of a domestic fridge. Heat pumps take advantage of the principles of thermodynamics in order to achieve their results. A water and glycol mixture is pumped around the collector circuit and causes the refrigerant in the evaporator to turn into a gas. This refrigerant passes through the compressor, causing the temperature to rise significantly. The hot gas moves to the condenser, where it condenses and the latent energy is released into the heating circuit.
3. How does solar technology work? The idea behind technologies which use solar energy is to harness the freely available rays from the sun in a useful form. The technology used for solar water heating is simple and effective. The basic principle uses an absorber plate which is heated by the sun's rays. This heat is collected in a transfer liquid which is then used in a heat exchanger to heat water. 4. How do air source heat pumps work? The technology inside an air source heat pump works on similar principles to the way a domestic fridge works. Heat pumps take advantage of the principles of thermal energy in order to achieve their results. Both types of air source heat pump operate in a similar way. The external fan unit draws in the outside air and converts the latent heat it contains on even the coldest of days into warm/cold air or hot water, depending on the type of heat pump. 5. How efficient are air source heat pumps? When properly installed, an air source heat pump can produce up to 5 times more heat energy to the home than the electrical energy it consumes. The basis of heat pump efficiency is known as 'Coefficient of Performance' (or 'COP'). For example, 3 units of environmental energy plus 1 unit of electricity equals 4 units of heating energy, hence a COP rating of up to 4. This is subject to suitable low flow temperatures and house insulation levels.