There is a lot of chatter about the “Green Revolution,” Going Green,” green products, etc. But what does this really mean?
Green to me means that we live on this beautiful earth in such a fashion so as not to destroy it, and all of the animals/plants that presently share it with us, for future generations. It means being a good steward of what we have; improving the natural environment and working toward keeping this wonderful planet healthy. It means taking care of our fellow man by minimizing pollution so that we do not harm his/her health. By providing clean air and drinking water, and by providing an environment that uplifts and refreshes ones soul.
How does the crew at DECTRA support being “green” and does being green apply to GARN® WHS products? As many of you already know, when a client who wants to purchase a GARN® WHS unit approaches us, we ask a lot of questions, mainly about the building that is to be heated. Is it existing…is it new and not yet constructed. How is it insulated? What is the condition of the windows, doors, foundation? Is the HVAC system old…has it performed well in the past? Are you adding an addition? Etc.
Why ask those questions? The following is from the GARN® WHS installation Manual:
Remember this: Eliminating fuel usage is the same as burning fuel with absolutely
zero emissions - impossible for any fuel even natural gas! A well designed and
constructed energy efficient building can reduce heating demand (thus fuel usage) by at least half, and sometimes by two-thirds when compared to a present day “code built structure.”
Beyond fuel usage and low emissions, the better-built building is healthier, more comfortable and lasts longer. All of these enhance our environment by keeping our earth and us healthier, by using less energy and sequestering carbon for a long period of time (by not having to remanufacture heating appliances). In addition, good construction and energy efficiency always provides the very best return on ones investment.
What many of you do not know, is that the GARN® crew steers as many potential clients away from wood heating as toward wood heating. Why….because like any fuel (renewable or not) is not the first solution. Conservation should always be first for the reasons stated above. If a building is poor designed or built, it is best for the owner to address its consumption issues before switching to another fuel.
So, how does being green apply to GARN® WHS products? Again, the following is stated in the GARN Installation Manual:
Improperly combusted wood fuel produces emissions that are toxic to humans and animals. These emissions include, but are not limited to: finely atomized liquid oils (creosote), very fine particulates, aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic organic matter, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. Most of these are easily drawn into one’s lungs during normal breathing. However, complete combustion can reduce these by products significantly, as most of these chemicals are fuels.
Because a GARN® WHS unit burns clean, toxic emissions are significantly reduced when compared to dirtier wood burning equipment. Secondly, any wood unit with high overall efficiency
burns less wood for the same BTU’s of delivered heat. Thus, a GARN® unit with a proven efficiency of 84% (lower heating value basis) produces ½ of the emissions of a 42% efficient wood unit, based on wood consumption alone, and not taking into account the cleaner combustion of the GARN unit. Less wood usage also means fewer transportation and chainsaw emissions, less fuel consumption and fewer labor hours. Finally, because GARN equipment has a proven long life (many of the units since 1983 are still functioning) the need to remanufacture a replacement unit every 5 to 8 years is eliminated. This eliminates significant manufacturing and transportation pollution.
Owning a GARN® WHS unit might even improve your health (although no medical benefit is formally claimed by DECTRA)….watch the YouTube video to see how it helped the Fred and Pam Vogt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzobH1PWDm4
What does going green mean to you? How has your GARN® unit impacted you life? Post your thoughts about Going Green and your GARN® WHS unit on the GARN® forum at www.GARN.com.