Introduction

Most of the US households make heavy use of electrical energy thereby causing heavy loads on the power grid. Subsequently, heavy-duty power networks are constructed which eventually push up the cost per unit of power. For those wishing to change over to renewable power, the BP 380J offers enhanced performance and benefits for residential, commercial or industrial applications.

It can operate on AC loads, through an inverter-equipped system, or on direct DC loads. Now that’s versatility. The display features include 36 multi-crystalline, high effeciency silicon nitride cells. These are positioned in an orderly configuration to efficiently re-charge 12-volt cells in any conditions.

The fabrication enlists a rigid universal frame (constructed from anodized aluminum) in conjunction with the well known J-Box. The IntergraBus system features top-quality by-pass diodes (Schottky) included on the printed circuit bus. The BP 380J’s junction box is completely rain tight and at the same time facilitates most system range connections.

Applications

• The maximum power delivery stands at 80 watts. This rating makes it suitable for many applications. Some of these are:
• Power grid supplemental systems
• Remote telecommunications
• Power remote villages and emergency clinics
• Water pumping
• Land-based navigational aid
• Instrumentation systems
• Radio repeaters and security sensors
• Marine applications
• Safety and Quality

• Module power measurements comply with the standards set forth by The World Radiometric Reference. (European Solar Test Installation, Italy)
• Product is only manufactured at ISO 9001 – Certified plants.
• Complies with European Community Directives 89/33/EEC
• Listed for Fire and Electrical Safety by Underwriter’s Laboratories
• Certified by Factory Mutual Research for use at NEC Class 1, Division 2, Groups C&D hazardous locations

Our dependence on fossil fuels has deteriorated earth’s environment to dangerous levels. Consequently, being eco-friendly is the best solution to saving our planet. When you invest in a solar panel, you’re not only putting money in the bank, you’re also helping to protect the environment for future generations. Solar products and other renewable energy options are eligible for substantial tax breaks.

Advanced solutions like the BP Solar 380J help to reduce your utility costs while lessening your ‘carbon footprint’. Make an intelligent decision today and you will most certainly be congratulating yourself for years to come.

Features and Specifications

• Dimensions: 47.6 inch (length) X 21.1 inch (breadth) X 1.97” (depth)
• Max. Power: 80 W
• Voltage at Max. Power: 17.6 V
• Current at Max. Power: 4.5 Amps
• Max. Series Fuse Rating: 15 Amps
• Max. System Voltage: 600V
• Power Tolerance: ±5%
• Weight: 7.7 Kg
• Rugged Universal Frame
• Junction box (6 terminal connection block)
• 25 years warranty

Reflective barriers that are good conductors for transferring heat through thermal radiation are called Radiant Barrier. Heat is also transmitted through convection and conduction. Theses Radiant Barrier will not be able to stop this heat transfer by any means.

When an object gets heated it radiates that heat in the form of energy known as thermal radiation. The extent of energy radiation is dependent on the surface temperature and emissivity. Emissivity is directly proportional to the amount of heat radiated at a particular wavelength. Reflectivity of a material is calculated by the amount of energy reflected by the material at a particular wavelength.

Radiant Barrier should have a low emissivity (0.1 or less) at wavelengths that they are supposed to function. The wavelength usually lies within mid and long infrared spectrum that is between 3 to 15 micrometers for long buildings. Reflectivity has a very fluctuating value for the Radiant Barrier. This is because both emissivity and reflectivity don’t add up to one for different wavelengths. It can be said that low thermal emissivity creates dark surfaces and for proper functioning, the Radiant Barrier should be facing open surfaces which are vacuum or air to prevent radiation.

Radiant barrier applications:

A material was developed by NASA that was reflective, light and made of plastic substrate and was aluminum coated by vapor deposition method which is commonly known as space blanket. It is used for protection of equipments, astronauts and spacecraft from radiation and also for the retention of heat as temperature fluctuations are a common thing in space. The reason why Radiant Barrier is more effective in space is that heat transfer in space is only through radiation. In earth, heat is transferred by conduction and convection after employing Radiant Barrier too.

To stop heat loss indoors, Radiant Barrier can be used effectively.

There are basically two methods by which Radiant Barrier insulation can be installed-

1. Radiant Barrier Decking

2. Radiant Barrier Attic Foil.

When the sun rays fall directly on the roof, the roof absorbs this solar energy heating the roof sheathing which is radiated downwards in the attic. By placing a radiant barrier in the attic floor the heat is reflected making the top surface cool and simultaneously preventing the heat from entering the rooms. This makes a radiant barrier an effective reflecting device.

Attic insulation and radiant barrier are differing from each other. Though their use is similar but their functioning differs as the Radiant Barrier decrease the heat radiated around them whereas the conventional method of attic insulation reduces thermal radiation through convection. In this process the air gets trapped inside only. The rating of such a technique is done by R-value. There are no R-values for Radiant Barrier since they depend upon many factors.

The price range of Radiant Barrier differs depending on a lot of factors. It depends on the shape and size as well as the requirements of the person getting them installed. It also varies if someone wants to add some extra features to it. Price also varies depending upon new or existing installation.

It would be suffice to say that Radiant Barrier is very effective and useful.. It is advised to read Radiant Barrier reviews before you decide to install at your place.

Let’s face it if you have just spent 2 or 3 or even $500,000 on a new home what is the point if it is either too hot or too cold to live in comfortable or you have to continue to run the air-conditioned or heater day & night costing you a small fortune every year.  Something has to be done & Silver Batts insulation Systems is the answer.

Silver Batts is a high performance insulation combining reflective foil and multiple trapped air spaces to reduce the amount of heat that enters through you ceiling in summer & reduces the heat lost through your ceiling in winter.  This space age technology is great for reducing the amount of energy required to cool or heat your home & can easily be install by the do it yourselfers or handymen amongst us.

Silver Batts won’t cause any condensation problems unlike many of the bulk insulation products and is very light adding no additional weight to your ceiling. It is also fiber free and doesn’t contain any hazardous chemicals that might be the case of asthma or any other irritant type conditions.

So if you are at all concerned with the comfort levels in your home or if you are concerned with helping the environment or maybe with all the health hazards associated with bulk insulation then you just have to have a long hard look at SilverBatts for use in your home.

Case in point.  I’m out working on the lawn yesterday and one of my neighbors was out and we started chatting.  Being the air conditioner guy for the neighborhood, the conversations always tend to turn in that direction, so we were discussing our electricity bills and his was more than DOUBLE what mine was for about the same square footage.  Now, you just can not attribute all of your energy consumption issues to air conditioning, but I was interested in learning why he was experiencing such a disparity with his bill and if this is something that occured year round.

We compared our elecricity bills and his only showed the spike that was causing concern in the summer months even though he was running higher that me for the rest of the year also.  We then looked around his place and there were some very obvious problems with very cheap fixes.

• Insulation around the doors and windows were worn out.  You could feel the cool air flowing freely from around the closed doors and windows from the outside.  This can be remedied for less than $5 per door and window.
• The AC filter in the return duct looked like a giant dust ball.  He claims that he replaces the filter quarterly, but I doubt it.  Even if he did, quarterly is not enough in my opinion.  I replace mine monthly to insure that the air is flowing freely.  As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is experiencing some freezing in his line because the AC unit is having to work overtime to compensate for the lack of air flow.  A simple $2 per month will save on a costly air conditioner service call if the line freezes over.
• Looking at the compressor on the side of the house, I see grass growing up into the coils on the bottom, hedge limbs poking into the coils on the side, and pine needles covering the casing on top.  He (and apparently a lot of home owners) don’t understand that the function of these coils is to channel the heat out of the home.  The fan blow air over the coils to cool them down and dispurse the heat.  That’s why when the unit is running and you put you hand over the top you feel hot air.  When the coils are obstructed, the air can not pass over them to get cool which means you are not efficiently pumping the heat out of your home.  Keep the coils clear and unobstructed.  In addition when you air conditioner is NOT RUNNING, take your garden hose and with low water pressure rinse off the coils of accumulated dirts and debris.  This wont cost you anything and will make a world of difference with your electricty bill.

The new de facto standard is call PURON.  Chemically, Puron refrigerant is an environmentally sound 50/50 blend of two separate refrigerants, R-32 and R-125 and has been given the designation of R-410A which is marketed under various names by differnt manufactueres. Consumer products featuring Puron refrigerant were first marketed in 1996.

Some of the reasons that home air conditioners manufacturers prefer Puron are:

• Higher energy efficiency
• Costs less over the life of the unit than continuing to use Freon
• Safer for the environment
• Considered Non-Toxic
• Non-Flammable

Some of the negative points associated with using Puron are:

• It is a relatively new product that can most likely be improved upon
• Careful installation is required to keep out moisture
• Requires a much higher operating pressure than Freon, so it can not be used in equipment designed for Freon

The bottom line is that we welcome the change, and with the proper planning a home owner can save substantially by chaning over to the new Puron-based systems.  Don’t get caught with your pants down by trying to stretch the life out of a Freon-based system after 2010.  Your maintenance costs will go up and your unit efficiency will go down.  Make the change, even if you have a few more good years left in your Freon unit.

Use Programable Thermostats

A programmable thermostat lets you establish different temperature settings based on the time of the day or in some cases the day of the week.  There’s no need to run your home air conditioners all day long while you’re at work, but turning it off or setting it to an uncomfortably low level during the day is not a good idea either.  You are not saving much if you have to run your air conditioner overtime when you get home to get the temperature and humidity back to a comfortable level.  Use the programing to save while you are away, then gradually lower the temperate back to comfort levels for the time you usually get home.

Zone your Home

By setting up ‘zones’, you will be cooling the occupied areas of your home and saving by not cooling the unoccupied areas.  Creating zones is most effectivly accomplished when installing a new system.  You can save money by installing multiple smaller units for cooling each zone rather than one large central unit for cooling your entire home.  Even if you are not in the process of installing a new system, you can still implement a zoning control system with your existing air conditioning unit by installing a zoning control system.  A zoning control system divides the home into multiplet zones, with a thermostat in each zone. The control system includes automatic dampers that fit into the ducts and a control panel that allows for the feedback of information between the programmable thermostat, indoor climate and damper positions.

Keep the cool air in

Air conditioning is most prone to escape through poorly sealed doors and windows.  Check for worn weather stripping.  Feel around your doors and windows from the outside during the heat of the day.  If you can feel the cool air then it is time to replace your weather stripping and/or caulking.

Keep the heat out
Use landscaping, awnings and overhangs to provide shade around the outside of your home. A shaded house is much easier to cool than one in direct sunlight.  Close your drapes and blinds to keep the sun out. Consider installing reflective films or solar shade screens on windows with the greatest exposure to the summer sun.

Maintain your Air Conditioning Units

Proper maintenance helps your air conditioner run more efficiently. Replace disposable filters or clean permanent filters every few months during the cooling season. It’s a good idea to have your entire system checked annually by a qualified air conditioning contractor.  Clean the outside condenser coils at the beginning and the end of the air conditioning season. Clean the coils with diluted detergent, then rinse them off. Trim back shrubs and remove anything that might obstruct air flow.

By following some common sense energy saving ideas revolving around your home air conditioner, you can effectively save 30% or more of your annaul operating costs.  Who doesn’t want to lower their utility bills?  Take a few dollars from the money you’ve saved by applying these tips and have a cold beer on us!