Homes, offices, restaurants, markets, convenience stores, solar and wind powered homes, telecommunication eco-tourism cottages and hotels, farms, military field posts, marine, recreational vehicles, trucks.

Polar’s cogeneration unit makes the most reliable,
efficient, and cost effective use of energy from fuel. Polar’s micro-cogen unit can operate from natural gas, propane, or gasoline. Diesel and other fuel
models are available.

The assembly is noise attenuated for quite operation.

Typically most applications will use a generator to produce electrical power to run an electric compressor as part of a typical air conditioner / heat pump, this is not efficient. Fuel is wasted in converting mechanical power into electrical power (generator) and back again into mechanical power (motor) as required to drive the refrigeration compressor.

The Micro-cogenerator’s efficiency and cost savings is based on reducing fuel consumption by using the engine to direct drive both the alternator (generator) and the air-conditioning compressor at the same time. The air-conditioning compressor uses an electric clutch to disenguage it from the engine when cooling/heating is not required. Fuel consumption is reduced by more than 50% over typical applications by eliminating the unnecessary conversion processes.

Engine maintenance is reduced because the engine does not have to run continuously while the air-conditioner cycles on and off, nor does the engine operate at full speed without a load.

The unit as shown here is configured as a hydronic heating and cooling system. Hydronics use chilled or hot water as a means of delivering air-conditioning and heating from the micro cogeneration unit to the desired areas. Simple plumbing connects heat exchangers (fan coils) installed in various areas (rooms) throughout the facility. The fan coils in each area creates the heating and cooling effect. Hydronics is the quietest and most comfortable form of heating and cooling. The micro-cogeneration is perfect for radiant floor heaters and provides hot water for washing and bathing.

The Micro-cogen units are also available as split and unitary or central systems.

• Microprocessor based control system regulating battery charging, air and hot water temperatures, and safety functions

1. Circulating water can carry more that 10 times the amount of heat that air can, so for cooling and heating only small water flow rates are required for environmental control. This translates into the use of 1-inch plumbing pipes as opposed to using 8 to 16 inch air ducts. Much less energy is required to circulate water as opposed to air. The water pump and small fans in the heat exchangers will consume less energy than the large blower required to force air through out the house.

2. Superior temperature control from room to room. Each room with a fan coil unit can utilize its own precision thermostat and fan speed control. Rooms not requiring environmental control can be completely shut off. Temperature regulation to within 1B to 3B Fahrenheit (.6B to 1.7B C) is practical so you do not feel the "chills" or discomfort typical of most heating and cooling systems as they cycle on and off. Circulating water in place of air provides two distinct advantages. Due to its high specific heat (ability to store heat and cold) water can provide continued cooling and heating after the heat pump is shut down. This helps smooth out the heat pump compressor cycling, as the compressor stays off longer and stays on longer and there are only small temperature changes in the water temperature. Using the individual precision thermostats in each room to control temperature is practical because we are only controlling a small electric fan. A precision thermostat controlling a heat pump is not practical because the frequent on/off cycling will destroy the compressor. The hydronic system properly installed (no water hammering) is very quite compared to an air duct delivery system. Flowing water makes very little noise as compared to the noise created by large blower moving volumes of air through the air ducts.

3. The hydronic systems allow for the incorporation of other cooling and heating technologies such as ground loop cooling and solar thermal heating. Supplemental propane heaters can be added for additional heat or to reduce engine run time.

4. Storing the hot/cold water in tanks can create thermal reservoirs. This is very efficient for heating and air-conditioning in desert communities where the nights are cold and the days are warm. During the night the water is cooled (with the heat pump off) due to the natural low air temperatures and during the day the cool water is circulated for air-conditioning. In winter the heat during the day is absorbed by the water and during nighttime provides heating. The heat pump is then used to supplement the heating and cooling effect as needed.

5. The hydronic system facilitates the recycling of engine exhaust heat for space heating.

6. Many homeowners enjoy heated floors. Here plumbing is buried under the floor and the hot water passes through heating the floor and the room.

7. The hydronic system costs more to purchase than the unitary and split systems.

8. As with any plumbing system there is always the possibility for water leaks.