Onset recently paired up with Massachusetts-based Orchard Knoll, LLC to monitor the performance of innovative eco-friendly home heating and cooling systems being installed in a new 66-unit development located in East Bridgewater, MA.
Mike McGonigle, developer and engineer, explained that each home features a geothermal heat exchange system that utilizes temperatures deep within the Earth to help keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. To achieve comfortable temperature conditions in the home year-round, the system pumps water through a loop down a 300- to 400-foot well and back up to a heat exchanger in the basement.
Several factors can affect system performance, ranging from water flow and pressure to outdoor temperature and the motor runtime of the heat exchanger. To monitor the system’s performance, McGonigle chose Onset’s HOBO® U30 Remote Monitoring System. The monitoring system consists of a GSM cellular-based data logging unit mounted on the wall in the model home’s basement, and sensors that plug into the unit. The sensors monitor indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity, as well as power usage of the geothermal unit, well pump, and the entire home.
The HOBO U30 collects data 24/7, and the information is accessible via the web at the following address: http://www.onsetcomp.com/livesystem_eco-friendly-home-heating
McGonigle has already gathered valuable information from the data logging system and has been able to make necessary adjustments. The monitoring system will continue to be valuable in the future as the developers plan to add solar thermal units to the homes’ roofs to further help with home heating and the hot water supply.
well…im doing a project for school and i really did not get any help from this at all. it did not say how it worked. it did however tell me the adequate reasons to purchase this item. but it still did not help.
Comment by Anonymous — March 25, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
Feel free to contact our technical team for details – 1-800-564-4377
Comment by Onset Blog Admin — March 31, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
I am, as well doing a project for my highschool environmental class, i was just wondering…
1) how much The Geothermal energy system cost to install,
2) does it save the home owner money and electricity yearly,
thank you for your time!
Comment by Rebecca M. — January 18, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
Unfortunately it is impossible to determine an estimated cost on the necessary monitoring equipment without understanding what geothermal equipment you have installed, our systems are customized for each installation. All evidence points to renewable energy installations on homes as a significant cost savings over traditional energy systems (delivered electricity). If using data loggers to monitor any system, if the data acquired is analyzed and actions taken based on that data are taken to improve performance – additional cost savings can be realized.
Comment by Onset Blog Admin — January 19, 2010 @ 9:19 am
i need to know about green roofs and green heating! can u help me
Comment by Anonymous — January 19, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
Our expertise is in equipment that monitors those systems. If you could be more specific I might be able to point you in the right direction.
Comment by Onset Blog Admin — January 20, 2010 @ 9:12 am
how does this work?
Comment by Anonymous — March 16, 2010 @ 10:12 am
how does this work?
Comment by cindy — March 16, 2010 @ 10:14 am
Feel free to contact a technical sales representative for full answers to any questions (1-800-564-4377), or visit http://www.onsetcomp.com.
Comment by Onset Blog Admin — March 17, 2010 @ 10:57 am
Feel free to contact a technical sales representative for detailed information (1-800-564-4377), or visit http://www.onsetcomp.com.
Comment by Onset Blog Admin — March 17, 2010 @ 10:58 am
how does this work if you have an adobe house
Comment by Anonymous — June 2, 2010 @ 8:51 pm
Is this applicable in any geografic region?
Comment by remote monitoring system — July 8, 2010 @ 7:01 am
If you are considering installing a geothermal heating/cooling system – I would consult a local expert for that installation. To apply a U30 monitoring system to an existing system please feel free to contact one of our application specialists at 1-800-loggers. Other URLs of interest might be – http://www.onsetcomp.com/application_stories/sustainable-foundation-switches-geothermal-heating-looks-payback and http://www.onsetcomp.com/application_stories/web-based-system-monitors-solar-%E2%80%9Cgold-rush%E2%80%9D-california, or http://www.onsetcomp.com/application_solutions/solar-hot-water-monitoring-u30-data-logger
Comment by Onset Blog Admin — July 9, 2010 @ 10:23 am
Feel free to contact a technical sales representative for full answers to any questions (1-800-564-4377), or visit http://www.onsetcomp.com. However if you are referring to the installation of a geothermal system I would contact local expert in that technology.
Comment by Onset Blog Admin — July 9, 2010 @ 10:24 am