Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.

In Northern Climates — Are All-Electric Homes Powered By Solar Panels Feasible?

A Minneapolis, MN Case Study Is Presented Below

Image Source: ShutterStock

Shown: Rooftop Solar Panels

There Are 3 Types Of Solar Panels

• Solar-Photovoltaic (PV) — panels collect sunlight and convert it into electricity.

• Solar-Thermal — panels collect the sunlight’s heat.

• Solar-PV/T — Hybrid Panels create both heat & electricity.  Hybrid solar panels’ collected heat is typically used for hot water.

The benefit of Hybrid Solar Panels is they generate much more electricity because they are kept cooler by the thermal portion of the panels harvesting the heat.  When kept cooler, the PV portion of the panels produces much more electricity.

Click Here To Read Our Article About Rooftop Solar Panels In Central and Southern States: Rooftop Solar Panels Systems

PowerPanel^TM In Oxford, Michigan Sells Hybrid Solar Panels With Very High Electricity Generation

Click Here To Read More About Power Panel: The PowerPanel TM

Note:  This is not an endorsement of PowerPanel brand Solar Panels only because we don’t have first-hand knowledge of them.

The information below is from their website.  We provided a link to their website just above.

Traditional PV Solar Panels’ Electricity-Production Efficiency Drops As The Panel’s Temperature Rises.  The Power Panel^TM  is a hybrid solar panel that combines a Solar PV panel with heat-harvesting.    Keeping the PV portion of the panel cooler maximizes electricity production as outdoor temps rise.   Their brochure says: “Our hybrid solar-thermal technology is four more powerful as traditional solar PV technologies.”

• The Power Panel^TM  produces up to 10.180 watts when combined with thermal (heat) harvesting.

• The Power Panel^TM   produces up to 1,.80 watts using solar alone (without thermal heat harvesting).

• The Power Panel^TM excels in colder conditions.  The panel can use snow melt to harvest energy.

Click Here To Download A Power Panel^TM  Brochure: Power Panel TM  Brochure

Notes About PowerPanel Brand Solar Panels (from their website):

• The PowerPanel is nearly +550% more efficient at generating electricity when coupled with thermal / heat harvesting.                        The Math: 1.84kw (w/o thermal harvesting) X 550% = 10,120kw .

• Power Panel^TM  has a 25-year PV (electricity generation) performance warranty.

• The company offers optional battery storage of the electricity generated.

• The company offers optional thermal storage of the heat generated.

• PowerPanel Solar Modules were tested at Category-5  Hurricane winds (above 157 mph).  As compared, an EF-3 tornado’s winds are 136-165 mph.

• For the hurricane test, PowerPanels panels were mounted onto their optional metal rack.

• After the wind-test, a trained observer said: “I don’t see any damage to the panels.”

• Use the link below, then go to the bottom of the page and then click on the “Wall Of Wind” video.  This information referenced begins at Time: 1:15.

 In Minneapolis, MN —  Is An All-Electric Home With Solar Panels A Viable Option?

A Case Study

Minneapolis, MN Skyline Photo Source: ShutterStock

Minneapolis, MN Is Considering An Ordinance Requiring Newly-Built Homes Must Be All-Electric + Have Solar Panels. 

We Did A Feasibility Study (below) To Determine If This Is A Realistic & Viable Option For Cold -Climate Areas Such As Minneapolis. 

Yes, It Can Be Done — But The Up-Front Costs Are Significantly Higher

Than With A Gas Furnace & Central A/C (Details Below).

MN State Flag Image Source: ShutterStock

Minnesota’s Building Codes For Energy-Conservation Are Admirably High  

These Insulation Values Are For Climate Zone-6 — Which includes the Twin Cities metropolitan area:

• R-20    Wall Insulation
• R-49    Ceiling Insulation
• R-30    Floor Insulation
• R-15     Basement Walls Insulation
• R-10     Slab Foundation Insulating
• R-15     Crawl-Space Insulation
• The home must be built air-tight to minimize air leakage.
• The home must be equipped with an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) to ensure adequate indoor / outdoor air-exchange occurs to maintain indoor-air quality.

• There Should Not Be Additional Energy-Saving Measures Needed For An All-Electric Home In Minneapolis, Minnesota.

• Our Example Home would be equipped with an Air-Source Heat Pump + Supplemental Electric Heat (electric furnace).
• Our Example Home would be equipped with Solar Panels

Minneapolis COOLING Electricity Demand For Our Example All-Electric Home

Note: All numbers are rounded for ease of reading.

Average July temps in Minneapolis: 82 /64

• We computed cooling requirements for a temperature above the average July high.  We used an outdoor temperature of 95 degrees.
• At 95 degrees, the example 2,000 square foot home requires 20,750 BTU’s of cooling —  for 70 degrees inside. *4
• The calculator used states this home would need 6,000 watts (for cooling) + 1,500 watts (all other household electricity needs) = 7,500 watts (when Heat Pump is cooling).  *4

• Note: In Minneapolis — A Heat Pump large enough to meet Heating Demand must be able to dramatically reduce it’s Cooling Output.   The Heat Pump must be a Variable-Speed model.

Click Here To See Details For The Trane XV20i Variable Speed Heat Pump:  Trane XV20i Variable Speed Heat Pump

Additional Heat Pump Notes:

• A Heat Pumps’s heating capacity declines as outdoor temps lower.  The lower the temp — the longer the Heat Pump must run.
• This is because the Heat Pump is extracting heat from outdoor air. 
• As it gets colder outside, the Heat Pump can’t create all the heat needed. — Then the Electric Furnace provides some heat.

• When the outdoor temp drops below -4°F — the Heat Pump turns off.  — Then the Electric Furnace provides all heat, until temp is above -20°F.
• Air-Source Heat Pumps are typically rated to -4°F — when enhanced for cold-weather operation. *7

Minneapolis HEATING Electricity Demand For Our Example All-Electric Home 

Average January temps in Minneapolis: 22 / 6.

• To determine the HVAC System Size / Capacity — We computed heating demand at outdoor temp well below the January average.  We used -30 degrees. *4
• At -30 degrees, the example 2,000 square foot home requires 84,000 BTU’s of heating —  for 70 degrees inside. *4
• This home requires: a 7-tons / 84,000 BTU’s Of Heat Pump Capacity -PLUS–  a 7 Tons  / 84,000 BTU Electric Furnace. *4

• The electric furnace provides supplemental (additional) heat when the Heat Pump can’t keep up due to low outdoor air temps.
• The electric furnace provides all heat when the Heat Pump shuts off due to extreme cold.

• 1,000 watts produces 3,415 BTU’s of heat from an electric furnace.
• The Math: 24,50o watts X 3 ,415 BTU’s = 83,500 BTU’s
• The 84,000 BTU Electric Furnace would consume 24,500 watts.
• The cost to run the electric furnace (non stop) = $2.80 per hour at 11.5 cents per kWh.

• The 84,000 BTU Heat Pump would consume an average of 18,500 watts when heating.
• This is based on a calculation saying Heat Pump’s electricity usage would be about 75% of an electric furnace. *5
• NOTE: The 75% is for Minneapolis.  Heat Pump savings is higher in southern states where winter temperatures are milder.

How Many Power Panel Brand Solar-Panels Are Needed For Our Example All-Electric Home

• During daytime — each Power Panel generates up to 10,000 watts. 
• Solar panels don’t generate electricity after dark.
• We used 2 Power Panels for the example all-electric home. They produce up to 20,000 watts.

• During daytime — up to 20,000 watts come from the solar panels.
• 20,000 watts power Heat Pump (when it’s running) + all other household needs.
• When the Heat Pump is off — up to 18,500 watts would go into the Power Grid. — The homeowner receives compensation for electricity going into the Power Grid.  **

• When the Electric Furnace is also running (due to lower temps) — 24,500 watts to power the furnace come from the power grid.   
• The furnace would only run when the Heat Pump can’t provide at the heat needed.

• During darkness — all electricity for the furnace comes from the Power Grid.
• Minneapolis’ electricity rate is 11.5 cents per kWh (kilo-Watt hour).   One kWh is defined as 1,000 watts used for 1 hour.
• The cost to run the furnace (not stop) = $2.80 per hour.

NOTE:  

• We can’t determine the home’s total electricity usage.
• Electricity demand is dependent on Occupants’ Lifestyle and outdoor temperatures.

Example:

• One home keeps the heat lowered when the owner(s) are at work.   It also keeps the heat lowered at night.
• Another home keeps the heat at a constant temperature all the time.

Compensation For Electricity Added To The Power Grid **

During Winter: 

• When only the Heat Pump is needed to heat the home — the Solar Panel System can provide up to all the electricity needed during the day.  
• During these times, there is up to NO Cost to heat the home.
• At night, the home would demand 18,500 watts (heat pump only).  — Or up to 26,000 watts (electric furnace only) per hour.

During Summer:

The Heat Pump (in cooling mode) can cool the home at NO Cost — during the daytime.

• Year Round: 

When the Heat Pump is not running — up to 18,500 watts per hour go into the Power Grid (with 2 Power Panels).

The compensation to the home owner varies depending on a myriad of factors. *12  —  Therefore we can’t determine total compensation from the Solar Collectors.

Click Here To Use The Calculator We Used For These Calculations (link source also listed below):  Heating & Cooling Demand Calculator

Estimated Additional Building Costs For The Example 2000 Square Foot, All-Electric Example Home Minneapolis, MN:

+$65,500 

• Using The Website: Solar Reviews.com — their estimate (for Minneapolis) = $2.50 per watt for hybrid solar panels.
• 20,000 watts X $2.50 / watt = $50,000  For The Solar Panels System. *18

Estimated Cost For 20,000 Watt Solar Panels System: $50,000 *18

• The total Heat Pump capacity for the example home must be 7 Tons / 84,000 BTU’s for heating.   *11

• The largest Trane Residential Heat Pump (Model 4TWV0060A) is 5-Tons.

• For 7-tons — two separate Heat Pump HVAC Systems are needed.

• One part of the home (perhaps the bedrooms) could be served by 1 HVAC System.

• Another part of the home (perhaps all except bedrooms) could be served by a 2nd HVAC System.    This is known a 2-Zone HVAC — and is common in larger homes.

$    4,000 Estimated Average (replacement) Cost For: 7-Ton (84,000 BTU) Electric Furnace (price varies by size of system).   

$  11,500  Estimated Average (replacement) Cost For A: 4-Ton (84,000 BTU) — SEER-20 Heat Pump (price varies by size of system). 

$  15,500 Total Estimated Additional Cost For 2nd HVAC System  —  Two Systems Are Required.

Note: We estimated for only for the 2nd HVAC System.     One HVAC system would be needed with a gas furnace & central A/C.

Estimated Cost For The 2nd HVAC System: +$15,500.00 *11

NOTES:

We don’t have a calculator for new-construction installations.  These prices are for a replacement system in an existing home.  These prices don’t include ductwork.

 Estimated Costs For A Second Heat Pump HVAC System In An All-Electric Home: +$15,500

As Compared — The Cost For Central A/C & Gas Furnace System

$  5,500  Estimated Average (replacement) Cost For: 7-Ton (84,000 BTU) 93% Efficient, Gas Furnace (price varies by size of system).     

$  8,000 Estimated Average (replacement) Cost For:  3-Ton (36,000 BTU)  SEER-20  Central A/C (price varies by size of system).

$13,500 Total Estimated Cost For HVAC System.

$13,500 Estimated Price For One Gas Furnace + Central A/C System.

2018 Minnesota Electricity Generation By Fuel Or Source  *13

With Minnesota’s Current Electricity-Generating Portfolio

Our Example All-Electric Home could create more air pollution than the same home with a gas furnace.

AT THIS TIME:

• 2018 Minnesota Electricity Generation Fuels: coal-37%, nuclear-25%, wind-18% & natural gas-15%.  *13
• Just over 1/2 (52%) of Minnesota’s electricity is generated using coal & natural gas.

Energy Loss From Electricity Generating & Transmission:

• Natural Gas Power Plants efficiency ranges from 32% to 38%.
• Up to 2/3 of the energy (from the natural gas) is lost during the generation of electricity in a gas-fired power plant. *23
• An additional +5%of the electricity is lost during electricity transmission and distribution. *24

Minnesota Is A Very Progressive State Regarding Reducing Air Pollution *14

• Emissions from Minnesota electricity generation are down about 29% since 2005. *20
• This met Minnesota’s 2015 goal, and nearly reached their 2025 goal.
• Minnesota’s utilities have committed to closing additional coal-fired power plants to further reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from electricity generation in the future.
• Green House Gases warm both the atmosphere and earth’s surface.

IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE:

• In 2015, Minnesota joined the Under2 Coalition,  an international group comprising of over 200 state, regional, and national governments committed to keeping global temperature increases to under 2 degrees Celsius.
• In 2017, Minnesota joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of state governors committed to reducing GHG emissions consistent with the goals of the United Nations Paris Agreement.

• Minnesota’s GHG emissions for electricity generation have dropped by -29% between 2005 — 2016. *14
• Minnesota’s wind-generated electricity is likely to grow.
• If wind-generated electricity supply grows until 1/2 of MN’s electricity comes from Wind & Nuclear — this all-electric home would likely create less air pollution than one with a 90% furnace.

• The current leakage rate of natural gas into the air during mining & distribution = 3.2%. *15
• If the natural gas being used in MN’s power plants is delivered with minimal leakage during mining and distribution — this all-electric home may create less air pollution today.

Click Here To Read About Electricity Generating Wind-Farms & Solar Farms: AlsPlumbing.com Wind Farms & Solar Farms

CenterPoint Energy Is Minneapolis’ Natural Gas Provider. 

Here are several of their recent achievements.  *16

• CenterPoint Energy (CPE) was a founding member of the EPA’s voluntary Methane Challenge Program.
• CPE is reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to natural gas. *
• Since 2013, CenterPoint Energy has reduced methane emissions attributable to its Minnesota operations by -18%
• CPE has significantly reduced methane emissions from of their distribution system.
• This was done with by replacing steel & cast-iron gas pipes pipe across CPE’s natural gas distribution system.

• CPE is working with stakeholders Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to their customers.
• Renewable Natural Gas is captured from; landfills, wastewater facilities, dairy farms & other agricultural operations.  Natural / methane gas is created as biological wasted decompose.
• Capturing the natural / methane gas from the sources above eliminates the gas from being released into the air.   Methane gas is a very powerful GreenHouse Gas.

• CPE is testing Carbon-Capture Technology (CCT) to trap carbon dioxide released (from burning natural gas) and convert it into carbonate.
• The first CCT operation to be used in the U.S. will be be installed in Minneapolis.
• Click Hear To Learn More About Center Point Energy: Center Point Energy MN Operations

Texas Image Source: ShutterStock

• The University Of Texas is working on a Carbon-Capture Technology (CCT).
• A research team from UT Engineering developed an electro-chemical path to transform carbon dioxide (CO₂₎ into valuable products such as jet fuel or plastics. *22
• The technology could significantly improve the economics of capturing and recycling carbon directly from the air. *22
• Click Here To Read an article about this process: ScienceDaily.com CO2 Capture and Conversion

This is Part 2 of our article discussing upcoming requirements for new residential construction to be all-electric in some areas of the U.S.    

Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same company as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full service plumbing maintenance, repairs and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  Al’s sells and installs Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin and Denton Counties with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.

SOURCES:

*1 Source: https://www.lightsourcebp.com/2014/09/should-i-use-a-solar-pv-or-solar-thermal-system/

*2 Source: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~cushman/courses/engs44/solar-energy.pdf

*3 Source: https://aceee.org/files/proceedings/2016/data/papers/1_700.pdf

*4 Source: https://www.calculator.net/btu-calculator.html? roomwidth=50&roomwidthunit=feet&roomlength=20&roomlengthunit=feet&ceilingheight=8&ceilingheightunit=feet&insulation=normal&temperature=70&temperatureunit=f&ctype=house&x=68&y=19#housebtu

*5 Source: https://www.energydepot.com/ResidentialEnergyCalculator/

*6 Source: http://www.greenhillenvirotechnologies.com/about-closed-loop-solar-air-heaters/solar-heating-math

*7 Source: https://www.contractormag.com/green/air-source-heat-pumps-cold-weather

*8 Source: https://www.electricitylocal.com/states/minnesota/minneapolis/

*9 Source: https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/SaveEnergyandMoney/Pages/CNP_Calculators/Energy-Cost-and-Emissions-Calculator.aspx?sa=mn&au=bus

*10 Source: https://mosbybuildingarts.com/gas-furnace-electricity-needs/

*11 Source:  https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/install-a-heat-pump/

*12 Source: https://mn.gov/puc/energy/distributed-energy/net-metering/

* 13 Source: https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=MN

*14 Source: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/lraq-2sy19.pdf

*15 Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=how+much+natural+gas+is+leaked&oq=how+much+natural+gas+is+leaked+&aqs=chrome..69i57.6392j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8https://www.google.com/search?q=how+much+natural+gas+is+leaked&oq=how+much+natural+gas+is+leaked+&aqs=chrome..69i57.6392j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

*16 Source: http://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-don-t-single-out-natural-gas-as-a-problem/559404502/

*17 Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190529131136.htm

*18 Source: https://www.solarreviews.com/solar-panels/solar-panel-cost/cost-of-solar-panels-in-minnesota/solar-panels-cost-in-hennepin-county/minneapolis/