Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Options for Home Heating Systems

Selecting the right type of home heating system can be confusing. Here is a basic overview of the most common home heating systems.

Traditional furnaces

A furnace that is used for Home Heating system purpose draws the air from the home into a system of ductwork. Here the air is heated and regulated to the living rooms. Some furnaces also use blowers to circulate the heated air. The air that is to be circulated is drawn through a filter to get rid of dust particles. The furnace may be fuelled by different types of fuel like gas, coal, oil, electricity and wood. The gas and oil furnaces use a power light to heat the heat exchange unit which in turn heats the air that is to be circulated. Heating strips or elements are used by the electrical furnaces to heat the air. A coal or a wood furnace constitutes of a fire box, where the fuel is burnt and a heat exchanger which warms up the air that is to be circulated. The temperature inside the house is controlled by the thermostat that is usually positioned at eye level on a wall.

Steam Radiant Heating System

Steam Radiators are is an old concept and not very much in use today but they have their own advantages. They have cast iron radiators that radiate heat with steam. The steam system may have one or two pipes. In a single pipe system the water and heat flow in the same pipe but the direction of flow is opposite. In a double pipe system separate pipes are used for the flow of water and heat. These heaters are very efficient and they warm spaces quite quickly.

Electric Heat Pump

Heat pumps shuffle heat from one place to the other. They can also be used a air conditioners during warm weather. A typical heat pump extracts arm air from the surroundings like the outdoor air, underground water, surface water or the earth. This air is then heated by the pump if necessary as is regulated into the house. The thermostat of an electric heater is much like that of a furnace but it also has controls for air- conditioning.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Get an Efficient Furnace

High efficiency furnaces of the present day consume at least 30% less fuel than old furnaces do. Older furnaces have much higher annual fuel costs than these new ones. If you are buying a new furnace it is definitely wise to procure a high efficiency model since it is nearly certain that natural gas will increase in price in the future.

The world supply of natural gas is very limited, and as usage steadily increases every year, it is a logical conclusion that the price of natural gas will increase quite substantially in the future. A highly efficient furnace will certainly save big dollars on your gas bill, and over a period of years, the saving to be made will be in the thousands of dollars.

Natural gas companies find that they must drill deeper wells to find new gas fields as time passes. This added drilling depth increases the cost of gas production very substantially and this of course is passed on to gas consumers.This makes saving on fuel use a necessity.

Installing a new furnace costs several thousand dollars.It is wise to choose the best model, for your use, very carefully. It is also essential to choose the best contractor to install the furnace. It is best to get a firm quote prior to hiring any contractor, and if at all possible, firm quotes should be obtained from several different contractors.

A mid efficiency natural gas furnace will convert 80% to 82% of the gas it burns into usable heat. A high efficiency type will, by comparison, convert 90% to 97% of the gas burnt, into usable heat for your home. It is quite obvious from these figures that the highest efficiency appliance you can find will be the best buy, and will quite easily pay for itself over a period of years with the high fuel savings you will enjoy. The actual time it will take to payout of the cost depends obviously on just how much natural gas you actually use. In cold climates a lot more gas is used, with the result that the payout will occur sooner due to the bigger saving in fuel costs.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Central Heating Helpful Tips

If you are a type of individual that always seems to feel cold, no matter what the weather is outside, the following central heating tips and advice should ensure that you do not get hit with an exceptionally high electricity bill for warming your home. Unfortunately, the cost of electricity is rising on an annual basis, this we have no control over, any politicians we elect have no sway when it comes to dictating the price of electricity.

At the initial stage, it is important to install an efficient boiler and central heating system. If you have an old boiler design in your home, it is likely it will be using far more energy than is actually necessary. By switching to a newer model, you would quickly recoup the outlay due to reducing the amount of electricity that is required, and in a short amount of time you will start to make real savings.

It is possible to reduce the cost of heating your home by turning the temperature on the thermostat down by just a couple of degrees. By doing so you will not start to feel cold, but you should notice big savings when your next electricity bill lands in your mail box. There isn't really any need to have the temperature turned up to such a high level you need to wear shorts and a t-shirt inside your home on a winter's day.

Another useful tip you could implement would be to invest in a timer for your central heating system. A timer would allow you to choose when the heating and hot water will come on and turn off.

If there is no-one in the house for most of the day, there really is no need for the heating to be left on. Also, if you were to set the boiler to heat up water during the night, the price of the electricity during those hours may be less.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Energy Star and Heating

You have surely seen the Energy Star logo on appliance stickers. It's a familiar logo now, but if you asked what it means the common answer is, "The unit will use less energy." But this appliance rating really applies to much more than just the amount of energy produced.

The Energy Star rating was created through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of energy. The goals of the program include:

That's a lot of end goals represented by a little label. Heating and cooling systems that earn this rating will be cheaper to operate and kinder to the environment. Did you know that statistics show that approximately half of all the energy used in a house is the result of running a furnace or air conditioner?When you heat and cool more efficiently you are actually lowering a major household expense.

Proper Installation is Half the Energy Battle

Of course, when you buy an HVAC system or home heating and air conditioning unit,you will need to make sure it is properly installed. The Energy Star folks not only developed an energy rating. They also created the Quality Installation guidelines. You need a professional installer who is familiar with and can follow the Quality Installation guidelines to insure your unit works as intended.

But even those who have an older system can benefit. The professional heating and air conditioning technician can often apply many of the Energy Star maintenance and performance improving techniques to older systems too. Your home will feel more comfortable because your unit is working more efficiently. This is true for HVAC systems installed in businesses too.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

What Heating System Should You Choose?

Heating your home can be a costly and grueling task. With gas prices on the rise this winter, many people are beginning to fear the worst; a cold home. Inefficient heating systems like electric radiant heat, and small electric space heaters that run continuously can often cause your electric bill to sky rocket and be unsafe if you have small children or elderly in your household. There is a better way to heat your home this winter.

Halogen heaters are the most efficient heating systems that are available this winter. If you are looking for a way to successfully warm up your household, without draining your back account, while keeping your family safe, then halogen heaters have the heating method for you. Choosing a halogen heater means that you are ready to add serious augmentation to your already existing heating system, and to save a bundle of money. A halogen heating system unit is portable, like the conventional electric space heaters, but far more efficient. The halogen heater oscillates heat, keeping your room warm and fighting off nasty drafts caused by winter's chill or leaky doors and windows. Although your halogen heating system may cost slightly more than a radiant portable unit, it will save you money on your monthly heating bill.

Safety is always an issue in any household. Space heaters are notorious for causing electrical fires, burn accidents and will leave you constantly worrying about the potential of such dangerous happenings. Having a halogen portable unit for assisting in heating your home, will offer you piece of mind as far as safety goes. Most halogen units come equipped with protective covering that will prevent your children and pets from harming themselves. The halogen heaters also have an automatic shut off, which will guarantee that your home is safe from the threat of a fire caused by your heating unit.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Lower Your Winter Heating Bill

With Winter fast approaching, it is important to be thinking about your heating bill. The Energy Information Administration has reported that in the 2010 winter season the average heating fuel costs should be $928. Never fear, there are tips to that you can do to lower your heating bill.

First thing you should do is light a candle. You do this so that you can see if there is any air getting out via doors, light sockets, and windows. What you do is hold the candle near these things and see if the flame moves in the horizontal. If so, consider getting a barrier. For example if you notice there is air coming out of the bottom of your door, you can buy a snake, also known as draft stopper, which is about ten dollars per snake.

For windows, grab a cover. You can get these for about ten to twenty dollars per window. A smart thing to do is to leave the cover on at night. This way you can keep the cold air out and keep your house cozy at night. During the day, it is a good idea to take the covers off. This way the light rays can heat up the house.

Another good tool to have to keep your heating bills in check is a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to program your settings to have a lower temperature when you leave and an increased temperature when you are home.

Another helpful tip is to watch your water heater. For example, you may not notice a change from your water heater going down to 115 from 130, but you will notice it in your bill.

One thing, that is really easy is to do is check your heating unit. Make sure that there is nothing on or leaning or draped over the heat pump. A good idea is to clean it via your water hose so that it is clear of dirt, grime, leaves and twigs. This way you can ensure that your heater will be in proper working order for the winter to come.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

In today's environmentally conscious world, everyone wants to do their part for a more sustainable future. But it's hard to know what you can do to limit your impact on the planet. One of the easiest and most eco-friendly choices is to install an energy-efficient heating and cooling system in your home for dramatically reduced energy usage. And, as if that wasn't enough, the lower energy consumption of these heating systems will also help you save big bucks on your bills! In fact, some Energy Star rated HVAC systems can save you up to 30% on heating and cooling.

Solar Heating Systems

Solar heating systems are a great hot water heating solution that's eco-friendly and has extremely low operating costs. These systems can provide up to 80% of your home's hot water for major energy cost savings. Used to heat hot water, pools, and water for radiant heating, solar heating systems harness the free energy of the sun. And, although solar hot water heating can be expensive to install, it usually pays for itself in less than five years (in reduced energy bills and government incentives). Once the equipment is paid off, you have almost zero operating costs.

Hybrid Heat Pumps

Hybrid heat pumps are efficient combinations of gas furnaces and traditional heat pumps; blending two energy-efficient systems allows this hybrid to get the best of both worlds! Heat pumps function quite efficiently during warm months, but at cold temperatures they typically lose their effectiveness. Hybrid heat pumps work like a hybrid vehicle, turning on the gas furnace when necessary to supplement the efficiency of the heat pump. Switching between the two heat (and cooling) sources allows the system to automatically adjust for optimal function.

Ground Source Heat Pumps (Geothermal Heating and Cooling)

Ground source heat pumps are among the most efficient heating and cooling options on the market today. They're eco-friendly as well as inexpensive. This specialized type of heat pump utilizes the relatively constant temperature of ground to heat your home in winter and cool it in summer. A loop of piping is installed in the ground near or under your house, and liquid (antifreeze or water) flowing through the loop heats or cools your home depending on the season. In summer, the soil is relatively cool, so it chills the liquid, which in turn cools your home; in winter, the soil is warmer, heating the liquid. Ground source heat pumps are a completely safe method of heating and cooling your home with a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. They can even reduce your home heating costs by up to 70%!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Winter Heating Checklist

Keeping your family warm during the cold winter months is easy when your HVAC system is working properly. In order to make sure your HVAC system is working correctly, you need to perform an inspection of the unit. The average homeowner should be able to perform routine maintenance to their furnace, but a professional HVAC service technician will need to perform a tune up and inspection. Keeping up with routine maintenance and having a professional inspect your HVAC unit will ensure your system is running as efficiently as possible, saving you money and keeping your family safe and warm.

Before the winter sets in and you turn on the heat for the first time, maintenance and inspections should be done. Depending on your type of HVAC system, whether it be heat pump, oil or natural gas, there are specific things you should look for, beginning with the fuel source.

Check for leaks in the pipes. If you have an oil HVAC unit, look for any signs of leaking oil. Obviously, with a gas unit, this will be a little more difficult. An easy way to check for a gas leak is to use a dish soap solution and check for bubbles. Or you can purchase a gas detector from your local hardware store. An HVAC service technician will have a gas detector and will check when they come to inspect your furnace. If you have an electrical unit, check the wiring to make sure it is in tact and not frayed in any way, and be sure the connections are not corroded.

Next, check the ventilation system. Proper ventilation is extremely important. Without it, dangerous carbon monoxide can get into your home. An improperly vented HVAC system can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death. Make sure the vent pipes and the vent to the chimney connection are not cracked or broken in any way. And it is always a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector in the vicinity of your ventilation system to monitor leakage throughout the winter.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Consider the Estimate for Heating Services

Estimates

All heating installers will give you an estimate on the job, and most will provide this service free of charge. Make sure you ask before you schedule someone to come for an estimate, as you should not be paying for this service.

Conversions

If you have an oil furnace and need to switch to a gas furnace, a company skilled in heating installation may be able to help. Ask them if they have oil to gas conversion service. Making this switch can save you substantial amounts of money on your utility bills, but you need a company who is skilled in the conversion process to make the switch feasible.

Inspections

Since you are not likely an expert on HVAC system, you have no way to ensure that the job is done right. Choose a company that includes post-installing inspections in their service. These inspections ensure that your system is running efficiently and safely. This is not something you should leave up to the untrained eye.

Energy Efficiency

If saving money on your utility bills while helping to protect the environment is important to you, choose a company that installs Energy Star rated furnace systems. Most companies will handle these units, but make sure you specify that you want the energy efficient model. While it may cost more at the outset, you will be saving up to 30 percent on your energy costs for heat by making the switch to an energy efficient model for your heating installation.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Service for Your Heating Systems

Your heating and air system should always be well maintained and up kept no matter if it is your home, commercial space, or any other space that is being heated. There are many routine maintenance items that you should always keep up to date to ensure your heating is not only running efficiently, but also to keep your system in great working order to avoid repairs. You should always keep a professional's contact information around in case your heating system does need repairing and take advantage of fast, any-time service. There are many upgrades to look into for your heating system to ensure you are running at optimal levels as well.

One service that is popular is people have their old thermostats replaced with accurate digital thermostats. Having your heating system thoroughly checked while this is done is a good idea as well, so that if you need a new part, or some repairs, or maybe even a complete replacement of your system, you can hire a professional heating service company do take care of all your needs. Getting stuck without heat is something no family wants to deal with during the winter season. Another good reason to be sure you use a professional company is that they can make sure your duct work is completely in tact, meaning no warm air is leaking anywhere. This will save money on your electric bill and will also keep your home at a more constant temperature that is comfortable.

Ensuring your heating system is working properly has benefits that are both financial, and beneficial to your overall health and living. Financially, keeping your heating system up to date and in good working order will save you money on future repairs and will of course keep your electric bill as low as possible. Something that is not financially based is that having a constant, comfortable temperature in your home or commercial space will keep you and your loved ones or employees happier from day to day.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

What to Consider With Heating Installation

When you are installing a new heater or HVAC system, there are some considerations you need to make about the project even before hiring a company to handle the job. Understanding these aspects of heating installation will help you find the best possible company for the job.

Permits

Because of the skill needed to install HVAC systems, you may need a permit for the job. When interviewing installers, ask them about the process of obtaining the necessary permits, regardless of if you have a residential or business property. You should choose a company that will handle this part of the heating installation process for you.

Brand

Take some time to research the different brands on the market, and figure out the one that you want. Each brand has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, and you will likely find one that seems it will work well for you. Once you have a brand in mind, choose an installer that handles that particular brand, and has significant experience in installing those units.

Customized Designs

Not all properties have cut-and-dried ductwork layouts or fit the cookie cutter ductwork that is available. If you have a unique space, you need to consider looking into customized ductwork for your heating installation. If necessary, choose a company that will create a design specifically for your living space and your preferences that will include custom ductwork. You will only run into complications if you attempt to make a cookie cutter ductwork design fit in a home or business that doesn't fit the mold the designs were created for.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Service Your Heater and Save Money This Winter!

Winter is fast approaching and with it the colder temperatures are forcing people to turn up their thermostat. With the climate changes that are taking place many people are turning up their furnaces to stay warm. With the servicing of their home heating many people are able to beat the cold chill of winter. By having a professional service their furnaces, residents can keep their houses warm and dry. As the snow begins to fly and the thermometer drops, the need for a well working furnace is a must in any home.

With an annual cleaning of the air ducts and a tune up to their existing home heating system homeowners can be ready for the colder weather. Additionally the efforts to reduce the high costs of heating a home and keeping it comfortable also helps to keep their utility bills to a minimum. With the help of a professional service provider homeowners that are looking at ways to have the heat they need and keep their costs low are having a complete air heating and cooling system cleaning every year. By having the air ducts cleared of dust and other particle buildup homeowners can save money on their monthly expenditures to heat their houses.

Through the annual tune up of their home heating apparatus, many homeowners are reporting a substantial reduction in the amount of breakdowns that are related to failed parts which have become congested with particles of dust or other debris. By keeping their furnaces serviced residents can enjoy the long winter in their efficiently warmed homes.