Engineering TV : Home Automation

Westech Solar Integrative Controller

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:50:00 GMT

The operation of a Westech solar collector is as follows: Solar radiation is absorbed by the evacuated tubes and converted into heat. Heat pipes conduct the heat from within the solar tube up to the header. Water is circulated through the header via intermittent pump cycling. Each time it circulates the temperature is raised by 9-18° F and throughout the day the water in the storage tank is gradually heated. The system operates automatically by using Westech's intelligent controller, detailed here. For more information, visit WesTech Solar.

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Westech Solar Collector Systems

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:20:00 GMT
The Westech Evacuated Tube Solar Collector is a device that absorbs thermal energy from the sun and converts it into usable heat. The heat is normally absorbed by water, or a freeze resistant water mix, which can then be used to supplement hot water heating, space heating and even space cooling via use of an absorption chiller or desiccant cooler technology. For more information, visit WesTech Solar.

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Westech Evacuated Tube Solar Collector

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:02:00 GMT
If you’ve ever used a glass lined thermos, you know that a vacuum is an excellent insulator. Evacuated tubes absorb solar energy and convert it into heat for use in water heating. The insulation properties are such that while the inside of the tube may be up to 300° F, the outer surface is cold to the touch. This means that evacuated tube water heaters can perform well even in cold weather when flat panel collectors suffer from heat loss. For more information, visit WesTech Solar.

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Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 2

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:22:00 GMT
We continue our interview with Preet Anand about the Refract House, which uses a holistic and environmentally conscious design to produce a contemporary architectural solution using highly efficient and sustainable systems and materials. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2009 combines the latest in home design and energy performance with the innovative spirit of university students from around the world. In the fall of 2009, the teams will transport their homes to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., forming a "solar village", where they will be judged in 10 different categories or challenges. Also watch this episode: Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 1. For more information, visit Refract House.

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Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 1

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:05:00 GMT
For three weeks in October 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy will host the Solar Decathlon—a competition in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. Engineering TV talks with Santa Clara University's Preet Anand about the Refract House, made in conjunction with California College of the Arts. The Refract House uses the latest in sustainable, bio-based building materials, cutting-edge thermal efficiencies, and comprehensive controls systems. Also watch this episode: Solar Decathlon Refract House - Part 2. For more information, visit Refract House.

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Drake Landing Solar Community

Terry Knight — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:00:00 GMT
The Drake Landing Solar Community is a 52-home subdivision that uses the sun's energy to supply 90% of space heating and up to 70% of domestic hot water needs. The system uses 800 commercial solar collectors in conjunction with seasonal storage to store the sun's energy during the summer, and distribute heat to the homes in winter as needed. A two-collector residential solar water-heating appliance from EnerWorks is installed on each home to provide solar hot water year-round. Also watch this episode: EnerWorks Solar Water Heating. For more information, go to: EnerWorks.

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Commercial Solar Water Heating Systems

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:09:00 GMT
EnerWorks Rob Singlehurst describes their commercial Solar Water Heating systems and some recent case studies where these systems have been implemented. EnerWorks designs and manufactures solar heating equipment and solar collectors for commercial, industrial and residential use and provides solar water heating solutions in applications such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels, multi-family and institutional accommodations, community centers, boiler make-up water, industrial processes and commercial operations. For seasonal, off-grid installations, savings of up to 100% can be realized. Also watch this episode: Drake Landing Solar Community. For more information, go to: EnerWorks.

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Solar Water Heating Efficiency

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:04:00 GMT
EnerWorks Thermal Solar Water Heating systems offer significant energy savings. For Southern Ontario and Northern USA, for example, this savings averages at 50% per year for full-year operation. In more Southern climates such as southern USA, the appliance can provide over 80% of the annual residential water heating energy requirements. Also watch this episode: Commercial Solar Water Heating Systems. For seasonal, off-grid installations, savings of up to 100% can be realized. For more information, go to: EnerWorks.

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EnerWorks Solar Water Heating

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:00:00 GMT
In a typical household, water heating accounts for 25% of the energy used and produces an average of two tons of green house gas emissions annually. With the EnerWorks residential solar water heating appliances, renewable energy from the sun is used to heat your water instead, providing a clean, cost-effective residential solution. Rob Singlehurst from EnerWorks shows us how the technology works and discusses the differences between the direct and indirect systems. Also watch this episode: Solar Water Heating Efficiency. For more information, go to: EnerWorks.

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SimpleCast Weather Forecaster

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Power up the SimpleCast, enter your zip code, and your local weather information instantly appears on the portable device. Covering 99% of the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, the SimpleCast displays today's iconic weather forecast and gives temperature highs/lows, relative humidity, chance of precipitation and precipitation in inches. SimpleCast also shows the next three days' weather forecast, provides weather advisories from the National Weather Service, and includes a built-in clock with alarm. For more information, go to: Oregon Scientific.

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Oregon Scientific Wireless Weather Stations

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Oregon Scientific's David Fuhriman gave us a run-down of their 2009 line-up of weather stations, which include wireless devices that display and sense temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind, rainfall, dew point, wind-chill, and heat index data. Their new Multi-Room Climate Monitor, the ECO Plus, can monitor the temperature and humidity (even mold levels) in up to four separate rooms, divided into easy-to-read segments on the large LCD display. For more information, go to: Oregon Scientific.

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HDAnywhere Networked Entertainment - Part 2

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:00:00 GMT
In Part 2 of Engineering TV's coverage of Analog Device's HDAnywhere, Andrew Lambrecht discusses ADI's use of Ultrawideband (UWB) technology in their networked entertainment solution. The HDAnywhere system compresses video in real time, encrypts the stream, and provides it to a UWB, WiFi, powerline, phoneline, or COAX modem – all without visual interruptions. Also watch this episode: HDAnywhere Networked Entertainment - Part 1. For more information, go to: ADI's Advantiv.

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HDAnywhere Networked Entertainment - Part 1

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:00:00 GMT
Analog Devices’ HDAnywhere technology, based on ADI’s Wavescale compression, produces a wireless HDMI output, ready to be connected to any HD display. It enables connections to wall-mounted displays without cables, ceiling mounted projectors without putting wires through the walls, and televisions in other parts of the house without running any new wires. Also watch this episode: HDAnywhere Networked Entertainment - Part 2. For more information, go to: ADI's Advantiv.

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Electrochromic Technology for Buildings

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT
At the World Energy Engineering Congress, Engineering TV talked with John Van Dine, SAGE Electrochromics President and CEO, about the benefits of using electrochromic technology in commercial and residential buildings. With SageGlass windows and skylights, architects no longer have to abide the drawbacks associated with "static" glass – glare, unwanted heat and energy waste. Electrochromic windows also facilitate sustainable building design. SageGlass is GreenSpec-listed, and can help buildings earn multiple LEED credits (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System). Also watch this episode: SageGlass Technology. For more information, go to: SAGE Electrochromics.

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SageGlass Technology

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:00:00 GMT
At the touch of a button, SageGlass windows can be tinted to block the heat and glare of the sun, or untinted to let the sun shine in and provide a clear view of the world outside. SageGlass is manufactured by coating ordinary glass with five layers of thin ceramic materials (total thickness is less than 1/50th the thickness of a human hair). By applying a low voltage DC current, the ions and electrons in one layer of the coating migrate to another layer creating the darkening effect. Reversing the polarity causes the ions to migrate back to their original location and the glass “untints.” SageGlass products save energy, contribute to a more comfortable interior environment, and allow architects more daylighting design freedom. Also watch this episode: Electrochromic Technology for Buildings. For more information, go to: SAGE Electrochromics.

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