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Local Alternative Energy Choices

Aug 11, 2015 | 11:34 AM

Welcome to the column for Heat Smart Plus.

As this is our first column, we wish to provide some insights into who we are and why alternative energies make sense. 

Heat Smart Plus is a local alternative energy company that employs the use of alternative technologies to generate energy using various forms of renewable and alternative energy sources. Heat Smart Plus has a focus to work with the environment NOT against it. The principal of sustainable and ecologically conscious energy systems that utilize renewable resources are our focus. This mandate resonates through in the products we offer.

Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies. Renewable energy will not run out. Other sources of energy are finite and will someday be depleted. The term ‘fossil fuel’ refers to fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. They are prefixed ‘fossil’ because their source (carbon and hydrocarbons) are found in earth’s crust. In layman’s term, fossil fuels are the remains of animals and plants that lived millions of years ago.

Most importantly, fossil fuels are non-renewable. Combustion of fossil fuels emits harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Using fossil fuels creates adverse affects referred to as “global warming” or the “greenhouse effect”.

Alternative energy refers to energy sources that have no undesired consequences such as those related to the use of fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources are renewable and are thought to be “free” energy sources.

These include biomass energy, wind energy, solar energy, geo thermal and hydro electric energy. Combined with the use of recycling, the use of clean alternative energies such as the home use of solar power systems will help reduce the amount of carbons and hydro carbons released into the atmosphere.

Wind, water and sun are never ending sources of energy. However the biggest advantage of using them is that they don’t harm the environment in any way. Solar energy is all about using sunlight. Widely and freely available to almost all, the light from the sun is a natural alternative.  Solar energy can be utilized through photovoltaic’s (generation of power through the use of solar cells) or solar heating (generation of heat through the use of solar collectors).  Solar heating is very effective in Saskatchewan to provide heat that can be used for domestic hot water, or to heat a pool or spa.

Geo’ means earth and ‘thermal’ means heat. Geo-thermal means energy from the earth.  Geo-thermal energy uses the earth’s energy to transfer heat. Geo thermal is the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient heating & cooling technology available.

We encourage you to drop by Heat Smart Plus to learn more about alternative energies as well as the various products we use to generate energy. Not only will you find ways to save the environment, but you will also see that using alternative energy will make cents to your pocket book or bottom line.

We offer bio mass boilers, geo thermal systems, and solar heating systems that will increase your energy independence and save you money.  We also offer many energy products that will reduce your current consumption of energy, whether it is a highly efficient natural gas, or propane boiler or a highly efficient wood burning stove or fireplace.