I would like to go green for my heating what is the most efficient system to go for. ie ground source , solar?

Question

i would like some kind of system that provides 24/7 realy so can be self sufficient

Answer 1

Geothermal is only really useful for underfloor heating due to low temperatures, therefore it is not as responsive as other types. A biomass boiler is a good option but the first thing to do is ensure your house is as well insulated as possible otherwise your heating is not going to be as efficient as it can be.

Airtightness of the house is also a key point but this has to be assessed alongside your ventilation options.

Answer 2

buy a herd of cows and put some pipes in their wind tunnels.

they say there enough gas there to out last the north sea

Answer 3

Put on an extra sweater that is what we do. Can not afford not to.

Answer 4

Exactly what Johnnie B said. Turn the heat down, put on a sweater.

Answer 5

Combination of different sources for maximum effect.

Good building design of earth-shelter house - south facing with large solar collector of a frontage - shaded in summer by foliage and blinds. Super insulated.

Geothermal background heat, solar hot water and power. Small woodburning stove for comfort also provides hot water in winter.

Additional power sources like wind / micro hydro will help.

Answer 6

A proper site.  Face the building south with windows only in the south elevation.  the north elevation should either have a small number of small windows or be breamed with earth.

For an existing home, Geothermal is great if you have the money.  The normal forced hot air system that most US houses has is one of the most efficient for the initial cost and upkeep compared to the heat is generates.

A German company, called viessman (sp) creates very efficient systems for this configuataion.

Answer 7

Go for a hybrid system.  Ground-source heat pump for your space heating and (depending on your location) a solar water heater on top of that.  

If you want to up the green ante, you could switch to a green tariff from a credible supplier or, even better, generate your own by putting up solar pv panels, micro wind turbines and other such gizmos.  Then you'd be going hardcore green and self-sufficient!!

Some organisations can help you find installers and providers; here in the UK, for example, there's http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/inf...

And make sure you check with your local government before you make any big moves on this: they might have a some incentives or grants to help you out with some costs.

It's really great you're looking into this - good luck with it!

Answer 8

Nuclear Power

Answer 9

ground source its got a constant temperature all year round

Answer 10

As Luc said, geothermal is a great option.  Here are some good geothermal heat pumps: http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/ca...

If you decide to couple that with solar thermal, here is a good research tool for that: http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/ca...

But it does depend a lot on your site, your climate, direction toward the sun, etc.  You may have to adopt several different types of technologies if you want to be entirely off-grid.