RefrigeratorA refrigerator, commonly shortened to fridge, is a commercial and home appliance consisting of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump (mechanical, electronic, or chemical) that transfers heat from its inside to its external environment so that its inside is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room. Refrigeration is an essential food storage technique around the world.
Evaporative coolerAn Egyptian qullah, set in drafts to cool interiors. Porous pottery and coarse cloth maximize the area for evaporation.An evaporative cooler (also known as evaporative air conditioner, swamp cooler, swamp box, desert cooler and wet air cooler) is a device that cools air through the evaporation of water. Evaporative cooling differs from other air conditioning systems, which use vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycles.
Air conditioningCooling of air in an enclosed spaceThere are various types of air conditioners.
District heatingCentralized heat distribution systemThe Spittelau incineration plant is one of several plants that provide district heating in Vienna, Austria.Animated image showing how district heating worksDistrict heating (also known as heat networks) is a system for distributing heat generated in a centralized location through a system of insulated pipes for residential and commercial heating requirements such as space heating and water heating.
Water heatingWater heating is a heat transfer process that uses an energy source to heat water above its initial temperature. Typical domestic uses of hot water include cooking, cleaning, bathing, and space heating. In industry, hot water and water heated to steam have many uses. Domestically, water is traditionally heated in vessels known as water heaters, kettles, cauldrons, pots, or coppers.
Waste heatWaste heat is heat that is produced by a machine, or other process that uses energy, as a byproduct of doing work. All such processes give off some waste heat as a fundamental result of the laws of thermodynamics. Waste heat has lower utility (or in thermodynamics lexicon a lower exergy or higher entropy) than the original energy source.
Solar thermal energySolar thermal energy (STE) is a form of energy and a technology for harnessing solar energy to generate thermal energy for use in industry, and in the residential and commercial sectors. Solar thermal collectors are classified by the United States Energy Information Administration as low-, medium-, or high-temperature collectors. Low-temperature collectors are generally unglazed and used to heat swimming pools or to heat ventilation air.
CogenerationCogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) is the use of a heat engine or power station to generate electricity and useful heat at the same time. Cogeneration is a more efficient use of fuel or heat, because otherwise-wasted heat from electricity generation is put to some productive use. Combined heat and power (CHP) plants recover otherwise wasted thermal energy for heating. This is also called combined heat and power district heating.
Popup camperA pop-up camper, also referred to as a tent trailer or folding trailer, is a type of towable recreational vehicle that can be collapsed for easy storage and transport.
Mains electricityMains electricity, utility power, grid power, domestic power, wall power, household current, or, in some parts of Canada, hydro, is a general-purpose alternating current (AC) electric power supply. It is the form of electrical power that is delivered to homes and businesses through the electrical grid in many parts of the world. People use this electricity to power everyday items (such as domestic appliances, televisions and lamps) by plugging them into a wall outlet.
Recreational vehicleA recreational vehicle, often abbreviated as RV, or a camping car, is a motor vehicle that includes living quarters designed for accommodation. Types of RVs include motorhomes, coaches, and truck campers. Typical amenities of an RV include a kitchen, a bathroom, and one or more beds.
ElectricityPhenomena related to electric chargeElectricity is invisible, but it can yield visually observable phenomena, shown here with the flash of lightning and various forms of electric light in the buildings.Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter possessing an electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by Maxwell's equations.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.