What exactly is an infrared heater and what makes it better than the conventional heaters we have used? Basically, an infrared heater uses the power of infrared radiation to provide heat. Infrared radiation, most commonly called IR, is part of the electromagnetic spectrum or what is usually known as light. It is an invisible light that generates heat; the same heat that comes out from a microwave oven and even from the sun. This amazing capacity of infrared heat is employed in infrared heaters; a new approach to heating that proves to be faster and more effective.

More Effective Heat at Home

An infrared heater is different from typical warmers and furnaces in its manner of heating. Traditional heaters take some time to supply heat because they need to warm the surrounding air first before users can actually feel the warmth. This method of heating can also lead to unbalanced heat due to the loose particles of the air that can be easily blown away by the wind.

An infrared heater, on the other hand, is much effective because it targets to warm persons or objects directly. It provides heat the moment it is switched on and guarantees steady heating all throughout its operation. Because of this efficiency, more and more homeowners want to acquire an infrared heater. But a wise buyer will never buy anything without doing some research first; that’s why reviews from real users are important references.

Finding the Best Infrared Heat

If you are looking for infrared heater reviews, you can actually find a lot of them in many websites. Scouting for trustworthy reviews is an important step if you want to find the most suitable infrared heater for your home and office. These consumer reports will help let you know about another user’s experience, which in turn will guide you as you make your own purchase.

If you are thorough and patient enough, you can really find free and dependable consultations online. But you have to be careful because some reviews are biased and don’t present a fair report. Trust reviews that discuss both the positive and negative side of the heater. The most reliable reviews are those that come from online stores like Amazon and Ebay. More often than not, real consumers share their first-hand experiences here.

Important Elements to Consider

So as you read the consumer reviews and reports, you also have to bear in mind your personal heater requirements. Remember, what’s best for other users may not be the best infrared heater for you. The following aspects should guide you in your selection:

Cost – This is perhaps the most basic consideration in buying anything. Most infrared heaters are branded to be real energy savers but some are quite expensive to acquire. If you want the best quality, you should be willing to invest more on it. But if your funds are limited, don’t fret because there are still quality and affordable infrared heaters to suit your budget. What’s important is that you purchase within what you are willing to shell out.

Location – Are you going to use the heater indoor or outdoor? Do you have ample or little space for the heater? The answers to these questions are necessary in choosing the best infrared heater to suit your needs. If you will use it indoors, the stationary type is most appropriate. For small indoor spaces, wall or ceiling-mounted infrared heaters are most fitting especially if you have children around. Indoor heaters are usually powered by electricity as this is the most convenient way. There are also other indoor types of infrared heaters like the garage and bathroom heaters.

For outdoor use, then it should be the portable type so that you can easily transport it from one location to another. Portable heaters are usually mounted on poles and fueled by gas. Not all outdoor places have access to electricity that’s why portable infrared heaters that run on propane, diesel, or natural gas are great outdoor options.

Kind – You may also want to consider the type of heating element inside the infrared heater. There is the quartz infrared heater, which uses quartz bulbs to radiate heat and another one is the ceramic infrared heater, which is an effective non-metallic heating medium. Quartz infrared heaters are most preferred by homeowners as these are very compact and portable. The ceramic type is usually utilized in outdoor locations, saunas, and manufacturing plants.

After some serious scouting and reviewing, you should be able to depend on your own judgment. The pre-purchase process can be rather meticulous but in the end, you can be sure that you get your money’s worth.

About the Author: Shyxter Tagapulot is a Filipino writer and internet marketer. She has written travel, do-it-yourself, home improvement, and beauty articles since 2009. She is now a site author at InfraredHeatersWeb.com – a website that aims to provide quality information about infrared heating technology and its numerous advantages.

The Problem with Water

Water in any form is a problem, but in the form of steam or moist air it will pass into all sorts of areas and will cause clothes, bedding and paper and card to get damp and either start rotting or begin to give some fairly obnoxious smells; a damp house is a disaster in that regard.

To cope with this there needs to be some excellent extraction in the source areas of any steam or moist air. These are predominantly the kitchen and bathroom in a home – and an extractor fan needs to be able to move the steam and moist air from the damp room to the outside of the building. This ensures moisture levels remain at a minimum inside the house and avoids any build up which could lead to moulding and a nasty smell.

Centrifugal Extractor Fans

The new centrifugal extractor fans have the latest technology and provide a very powerful tool to extract from applications such as bathrooms and wet rooms. A centrifugal fan is designed to move air over long distances and will give its maximum performance even against the resistance, which is caused by the ducting and the entry and exit grills of the system. It is this performance, which gives the units their major success.

The smaller extractor fans extract at a rate of around 110 cubic metres per hour or about 31 litres a second, which is equivalent to about 10 room changes per hour. As the fans are usually focussed into the area where the problem is generated they become even more efficient in the removal of steam in particular. The electrical power consumption is only around 17 watts so they are fairly efficient in power usage and the running costs are small particularly if they are fixed to an automatic start and stop system. The overall cost is of the fan is less than £30 for an “in line” timer controlled unit.

Get Rid of the Water

One of the major advantages of these extractor fan units is that because they are powerful over a longer distance, the extractor fan can be situated well away from the bathroom or wet room and can be fitted into the simplest position for ease of installation and access in the case of any repairs or future replacement. The only requirement is that they are fitted in line with the ducting.

A centrifugal fan can shift an air volume of up to 90 metres cubed per hour; or in other words, up to 20 litres per second. This sort of performance is unrivalled with a regular extractor fan, and means the bathroom extractor fan is more than capable of keeping virtually any bathroom clear of hot air and steam.

An additional advantage is that despite being much more powerful than a regular extractor fan, a centrifugal fan is actually much quieter and therefore ideal for something like a bathroom, toilet or utility room. Despite the fan’s strength, the mechanism in a centrifugal extractor is also vibration free too, meaning no disturbances.

Centrifugal extractor fans are typically built using high impact ABS thermoplastic. This is again an advantage over a normal extractor fan, because the plastic is very strong and durable, as well as being extremely easy to clean. Again this ends up being perfect for a bathroom where the cleanliness will be more than welcome.

A whole house evaluation can identify any problem areas which can make your home more comfortable and save you more energy in the long run. But what does it consist of exactly? And is it a worthwhile investment? This post is designed to answer these very questions.

What’s Involved in an Evaluation?

As you would expect from the name, a whole house evaluation is comprehensive look at the HVAC system in your home on a number of fronts. A thorough whole house evaluation will consist of most or all of the following components:

• Inspecting equipment, such as furnace, ducts and air conditioners for mechanical or other problems.
• Examining insulation. The EPA has estimated that proper insulation can account for a savings of up to 10% on home energy costs.
• Load calculation, or calculating the amount of heat gained and lost in the home, can identify systems that have lost efficiency or are the wrong size and may need to be replaced.
• Measuring air flow out from air conditioning ducts around the home to see if they are optimally arranged and configured.
• Testing for improper ventilation – wither too much or too little air flow in and out of the home – can help improve air quality and overall comfort.

Should You Get an Evaluation?

It is possible you may not need to have your HVAC system evaluated. If it is a new, properly sized, properly installed system, then everything may be fine. However, it is estimated that up to half of all HVAC systems are the wrong size for the home in which they are installed, and the EPA reportsthat errors in installation can reduce a system’s efficiency by as much as 30%. To determine whether you may need an evaluation, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is my home often too warm or too cold?
• Do my utility bills seem extraordinarily high?
• Is the air in my home too humid or too dry?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” or if you or your family members have been experiencing respiratory problems, a whole house evaluation may help.

What Should I Do Before an Evaluation?

Before your house evaluation there are a few things you should do to make sure that you are fully prepared:

• If you have a problems like uneven heating or drafty rooms, make a list so you can be sure to have those concerns addressed.
• You should also see if you can find copies of your energy bills. This will help determine exactly how much energy you are using compared to more efficient houses.
• Be prepared to answer some relevant questions such as your average thermostat setting and the hours people are home. This is a good way to get a jump start on your home evaluation; you might find easy ways to save energy just by examining your behavior.

Saving energy is good for the environment and your wallet; a whole house evaluation might be a good investment to make this holiday season.

Pat writes for the HVAC industry, including Tampa air conditioning and heating contractor Air National, specializing DIY and energy saving HVAC tips.

1. Bleed Your Radiator

To ensure your heating is working properly, why not bleed your radiator? It might sound complicated, but it’s actually very simple so there’s no need phone a professional. All you have to do is turn off the central heating and slip the bleed key into the bleed valve. Turn it anticlockwise and let any trapped air come hissing out. Once water starts dribbling, tighten the valve once again and switch the heating back on – simple.

2. Insulate Water Pipes

Cold weather can cause water pipes to freeze, so it’s important to protect them with lagging. Insulating your plumbing will lock in heat and stop extensive water damage occurring. Cold water tanks and hot water cylinders can be fitted with special insulation jackets and you’ll find these are pretty cheap to buy. A burst pipe can severely damage your home, so you might want to take out water supply pipe cover– just in case.

3. Insulate Your Loft

The government states that every loft should have between 10 – 11 inches of insulation, so you might need to top it up. If you’re confident at DIY you could always do this yourself. Make sure everything is cleared out of the loft before you start and make sure you wear protective gear. Always take accurate measurements and buy enough loft roll to complete the job properly.

4. Put Up Heavy Curtains

Before the cold weather really hits invest in a pair of heavy curtains and put them up in your front room. They’ll stop nasty drafts from blowing through your windows and will help lock in heat. If you’re buying them from a home store, opt for a pair with an insulated backing as they’ll offer more protection from the cold.

5. Seal Up Drafts

Chilly drafts not only make you freezing but they create huge electric bills and waste precious energy. Therefore it’s essential to replace old windows before the cold weather hits and to seal around doors. A draft excluder can also stop nippy winds from entering your home and double glazing offers extra protection. If you’ve a chimney always close the flue when the fire’s not in use and perhaps invest in a draft stopper.

Winter’s just around the corner, so make sure your house is warm and snug.

1. Lag your Loft

Insulating the loft has been used as a way to insulate homes for many years. However, lots of older homes do not have adequate loft lagging. Ideally any insulation should be over six inches deep so if your insulation is less than this it’s a good idea to replace it with thicker lagging.

2. Double Glazing

If you don’t have it, then the thought of getting double glazing is something that most home owners dread. That’s because it can seem like a huge expense, but when you consider that homes’ without double glazing can lose 20% of their heat through the windows it puts the expense into perspective. Although initial costs for double glazing may seem steep, you will save money as you will be able to turn your thermostat down. Having double glazing will also make living in your home a much more comfortable experience.

3. Doors

Draughty doors can be the cause of a great deal of heat loss. Check for any gaps in your internal doors which are letting heat escape. These can be remedied with a draught excluder. If there are any gaps between your walls and your door frames fill them in with caulk. Your front door needs to be the best insulated in your home and uPVC doors are particularly good at protecting your home from the elements. They’re also one of the most durable and safest type of front door that you can choose.

4. Water Tank

Although you won’t be losing house heat through your water tank, if you insulate it you will keep your hot water hotter.

Photo by wuertele

This means that your bills for heating water should lessen. You can buy specially designed insulating jackets which fit snugly around your water tank and help to retain the heat in your water.

5. Walls

It has long been the practice in house building to fill cavities in walls with insulation which is a great way of keeping the heat in. However, in many older homes the insulation within the walls does not meet modern standards. This can be resolved by drilling holes into walls and filling them by blowing in materials like mineral wool. However, this can be a complicated and expensive process so one cheaper and simpler alternative is to cover your walls in a thin layer of polystyrene before you decorate.

When the winter months are here it’s such a comfort to be able to sit in a lovely warm home, so follow these simple tips for insulating your home and stay warmer this winter.

More and more homeowners are turning to smaller, portable space heaters that allow them to heat more precisely and appropriately.  Rather than keeping the entire house warm all night long, families are turning off central heating, placing space heaters in the bedrooms and saving countless dollars.  Energy efficient garage heaters are also becoming the newest trend for transforming the “car garage” to a “livable garage” where families are making the most of every inch of space without having to move or add on.

But, as you look into the various types of heaters, it can be overwhelming to say the least.  In this article we’re going to break down heaters by the most common options.  What is the fuel behind the furnace?  Why pick one type over another?  These are the answers we’re going to go over.

Oil Heaters

Oil heaters are a type of convection heater (see below) and are considered to be one of the safest types of heaters and are typically chosen for this reason.  They are slightly more expensive to run than a fan gas heater and generally heat a smaller area, but when it comes to indoor areas, particularly bedrooms, oil heaters are the preferred option.  Gas fan heaters are not recommended for small spaces because there’s usually a definite lack of oxygen coupled with more emissions produced and both of these cons in a small, confined space.  Gas heaters also maintain a lower surface temperature than the rest of electric heaters and don’t need the same amount of air flow required by a fan gas heater, both of which aspects create higher levels of safety.  In fact, oil heaters tend to maintain surface temps low enough that even clothing could be laid on top to dry (although this is not recommended).

If you are seeking to heat a small, personal indoor space, an oil heater is likely your best and safest choice.

Convection Heating

The basis of a convection heater revolves around the process of convection: because cool air is denser than hot air and hot air rises, as air is heated, cool air continuously flows in to replace the hot air.  This makes a current of hot air created by a heating element that continuously cycles hot air out through vents and allows cool air to keep pouring in.  Convection heaters are also very safe options and are the best option if you need to leave a heater running for lengthy periods of time.  They are also beneficial for homes with children and pets, as there is little chance for burning from contact.  Because there’s no forced air, they are very quiet.

If you need to heat a room for long, extended periods of time a convection heater is the recommended option.

Ceramic Heaters

In addition to oil heaters, another popular form of convection heating is the ceramic heater.  It works much like an oil heater, except instead of oil, ceramic plates are heated, aluminum absorbs the heat and fans blow hot air out.

If you are seeking to warm a small, personal indoor space, a ceramic heater may be your top choice.

Fan Heaters

Electric fan heaters are one of the most popular options available for quick portable heating because of their intensity and efficiency.  Because all energy input goes into the room as heat, an electric fan heater can be deemed 100% efficient.  They perform by using strong fans to force air over a heating element.  As the air passes over the element, it is heated and then pushed directly out into the room.  This provides one of the most instant methods of heating.  They also typically boast a low upfront cost.  However, because the air is forced with a fan, they are also one of the noisier options.  Most families opt for electric fan heaters when it comes to garage heating.

For instant, efficient heating in large spaces, look into electric fan heaters.  The fall 2011 popular garage heater option:  New Air G70 garage heater.

Gas Heaters

Gas heaters run off of natural gas or propane, making them free from electricity dependence and the best option in cases of power outages.  Propane heaters have been quickly growing in popularity because of their efficiency.  One gallon of propane can generally power a propane gas heater for nearly six hours.  And, because natural gas abounds in so many areas, it can be a very smart option as well.  However, gas heaters are best used in outdoor heating.  If a gas heater is un-vented (many styles are), there is opportunity for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide to form.  If a room itself is not properly ventilated in such instances, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.

Gas heaters also propel heat that is absorbed by people and objects near it, as opposed to the air around it, as a convection heater would heat.  This makes it a poor choice for heating a room, but a great choice for heating guests at a patio table outside.

For heating outdoor areas or ensuring backup heating in case of power shortages or emergencies, consider a gas heater.  Gas heaters area also ideal in locations with ample natural gas sources where it becomes a very inexpensive option.

For more information or to purchase any types of the above heaters, please visit Air & Water.  Helpful staff are at your immediate assistance to answer any and all heating questions.

Keeping your energy costs low takes more than just running around your house and turning off the lights every time someone leaves a room. Here are some other things you can do to keep your energy bills at a minimum.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

How many times have you left your central air or your furnace running all day while you are at work so your home can be just right when you open the front door? It is a good feeling to walk in from a hard day at work and instantly be comfortable, but it’s a bad feeling once you get your energy bill at the end of the month. 

Instead of paying to heat and cool your home for 10 or more hours each day when nobody is in it, install a programmable thermostat. You can program it to turn your furnace or central air on about a half hour before you typically get home from work which will give it enough time to bring your home to the perfect temperature before you walk in the door without wasting all that energy while you are away. You can save between 20 and 30 percent on your monthly bill with this simple and affordable feature.

Dry Your Clothes Outside

Dryers are nice when you are in a hurry, but have you ever experienced the fresh scent of your clothes after letting them dry on a line outside? Not only do your clothes smell spring fresh after an afternoon in the open breeze, but you will save a good chunk of money each month by minimizing the use of your dryer.

Purchase Energy Star Products

Your large appliances are sucking up the energy like a sponge and adding to your electricity bill every month. The ones you don’t typically think about are the ones that are the worst culprits, such as your refrigerator and washing machine.

Did you know your refrigerator accounts for about 10 percent of your entire energy bill? Many utility companies are offering rebates to customers when they replace their energy guzzlers for Energy Star appliances, which can save you money instantly and in the end. Look online for a full list of Energy Star products that you can buy to replace your old and energy-sucking appliances.

Install Ceiling Fans

Many people think they can just turn on their air conditioner and that is all they need to do to cool off their home on those hot summer days. However, did you know running your ceiling fan could cool your house off efficiently, too?

Ceiling fans help get the air moving around your home, which makes it feel much cooler. This lets you set your thermostat a few degrees higher while still feeling the cool air hit you in the face. As a result, you save money on your monthly energy bills without suffering through the sweat.

Jessy is an eco-friendly and green blogger for Square Deal, the top source of Snapfish coupon codes (no fees, no registration required).

Before taking a further look into this type of HVAC system, let’s first address the basics.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a unique heating system that is capable of both heating and cooling designated environments. In hot climates, it performs similar to an electric-powered air conditioner, collecting heat from the indoors, expelling it outdoors and then replacing it with cool air. When the indoor climate is cold, it does the opposite, transferring the cold air away from the area requiring heat.

Air source heat pumps are normally used in environments that experience moderate climates, where air temperature differences are taken full advantage of to heat and cool the respective properties. Heat pumps with a stamp of approval from Energy Star have a greater seasonal efficiency rating (SEER) and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) than standard models. This results in 8 percent more efficiency than new standard models and 20 percent more efficiency than older furnace models.

Efficient and Eco-Friendly

With the current increase in ‘green’ initiatives and government incentives, rewarding those that actively seek to lower their carbon emissions, it is no wonder that geothermal heat pumps are receiving more attention in many areas of the world. Undoubtedly, they are highly energy efficient and naturally eco-friendly. This is largely due to fact that they transfer heat directly from and towards the ground in different climates.

For example, during the winter geo-heat pumps draw hot air upwards from beneath the earth’s surface, while in the summer cold air is transferred back in the ground to provide cooling. The actual process of heat transfer occurs by a refrigerant loop, situated in the core part of the pump, being pushed through a vapour-compression cycle. Some experts have stated that, individually, geothermal heat pumps can provide up to three units of heat for every single unit required for them to operate. In Lehman’s terms, this means that they can achieve efficiency levels of up to 300 percent. How’s that for energy efficiency!

Energy Costs…

Taking this into consideration, it clearly makes sense for these heating systems to be incorporated in blueprints for new property developments. For existing properties, its application can be better accepted as part of a major renovation, and would be an ideal investment for those already planning a building remodel project that takes into account environmental concerns.

Geothermal heating systems provide heating, air-conditioning, hot water, and dehumidification, but with up to 80 percent less annual operating costs than most other heating options. It’s no surprise then that average high efficiency furnace prices for geothermal systems are two to three times more expensive than alternative options, and on average three to five times more costly than alternative low- to mid-efficiency heating systems.

…and Overall Energy Savings

There are two very good reasons for the premium asking price. The first is that geothermal heat pumps significantly reduce annual operating costs by up to 80 percent, which in itself is a great energy and money savings feat. This means that even though its initial cost of acquisition is visibly greater than alternative systems, the geothermal heating option still remains a feasible budget solution in many scenarios.

The second reason, which can never be overstated, is that geothermal energy is extremely environmentally-friendly. Whereas natural gas, oil and wood-burning systems release carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, geothermal heat pumps do not. Similarly, geothermal systems don’t produce ash and soot, making them exempt from wastage issues. In as much as gas is the cleaner element to burn than oil and wood it remains a highly explosive risk and air polluting chemical. Geothermal systems, on the other hand, are typically closed and non-dependent on toxin-releasing fuels, making them much, much better for us, plants, animals and our beloved environment.

So next time you are planning to buy a new home, or develop your own property, think geothermal! It’s a clean, economical solution that’s extremely good for the environment. This means you’ll definitely be doing your bit to sustain the environment and no-one can tell you otherwise. That makes it worthwhile all by itself.

The rising price of gas and electricity is leading many people to sacrifice heating because they simply cannot afford it. However, as the months get colder there are two easy and efficient home insulation options that can help reduce your heating bills. Cavity wall and loft insulation are excellent for containing warmth, but keep in mind they tend to settle over time, so if you are viewing older houses with estate agents in Paddington or elsewhere, ask whether these have been topped up recently.

More than half of the internal heat in your home escapes through the ceiling and the walls. Draughts coming in through the floors, doors and windows account for an additional 30% of lost heat, which is why it’s essential that your home insulations are all in top condition. Insulation products for the home are generally inexpensive and in some instances they are even free.

Since 2009 more than 1.3 million British homes have had their cavity walls filled as part of the government’s plan to reduce carbon emissions and fuel wastage. While many people remain sceptical, others ask why the British Government would spend so much money on a programme that could lead to them being sued for rising damp problems. While there are certain houses and walls that are simply unsuitable for cavity filling, this is not the case for most houses.

People are often wary when they hear about different types of home insulation, especially having cavity walls filled as they hear stories about how this can lead to rising damp. However, a study of 20 000 homes in the UK showed that while 3.5% of home with filled cavities suffered from damp, 8% of homes that did not have filled cavities suffered from the same problem.

Cavity filling can save you hundreds of pounds on your heating bills. When viewing homes for sale or rent ask your central London estate agents if the houses you are looking at have suitable home insulation so that you can save on your heating bills.

Sally Roberts is a keen writer of property related issues as well as business and investment opportunities.

While children and some adults love to see the snow fall, there is no doubt of the effect it can have on our lives.  With many schools closed last year due to health and safety, it was difficult for parents to get to work and this had a major blow on the economy.  Another problem was that many of us were forced to have our heating on for much longer periods which obviously costs more money.  And for those using home heating oil, buying oil during these periods of high demand, can be hugely expensive.  For that reason, many heating oil users will be looking for ways in which they can save some money on their heating bills this year.  The following are a few ideas:

Ensure Your Home is Adequately Insulated

A big cause of us spending more than we need to on heating is that our homes are not insulated properly.  This means that heat is lost and we end up having the heating on for longer.  A lot of people are unaware that poor insulation in their attic causes heat to be lost and they cannot fathom why their home takes so long to heat up.  Draughts around windows and doors is another problem.  It would be well worth having someone come in to check your home to see if there is anything you can do to improve its energy rating.  You may have to pay for this but you will save money on your heating bills if you get your home insulated properly.

Close all Vents

Most of the rooms in our homes will have vents in the walls or above the windows and while these are great for letting in fresh air in the summer, they can also allow cold air to come in during the winter.  By closing these vents, you can keep the warm air inside and this means your home will stay cosy and warm.  If you can trap the heat inside the home, you will not have to have it on for so long, thus saving you money.

Lower the Temperature on Your Thermostat

Photo by C Jill Reed

You may not notice the difference in heat if you lower your thermostat by one or two degrees but you will definitely notice the difference in price.  A lot of people have their heating so high, that it can become quite uncomfortable.  Yet taking the temperature down by a degree will not make a huge difference and you may not even notice it at all.

The above are just some of the ways that you can save some money on your heating oil bills this winter.

Musa is a freelance writer and internet marketer, and enjoys writing about many diverse and wonderful topics. His current project involves writing about heating oil prices UK.

How do you turn simple heat that has been beating down on the earth since before the existence of humans, into an energy source that lights our houses, runs our air conditioners, and powers the TV?  How does a simple reflective panel use natural light for large scale operations like factories and medical product testing?  The answer is a simple: the laws of nature.  By capturing and breaking down what already happens naturally, solar energy helps to reduce pollution in the environment while still providing us with the electricity we need to survive day to day. But … can it really be that easy?

From sun rays to electricity…

There are a few ways that sunlight can be made into electricity.  One, and possibly the easiest, is through the use of solar cells, (also known as photovoltaic, PV or photoelectric).  These cells transfer sunlight directly into electricity, minimizing and streamlining the process.

A second way of turning the sun’s rays into power is slightly more complicated. The solar panels first collect the natural light that reflects from the sun. Simple so far, right? The heat from those rays is then transferred into a synthetic oil. Oil is used, rather than water, so that the boiling pressure can be controlled because the heat can reach astonishing levels.  The oil then circulates and is transferred into power.  This is more commonly used when energy needs to be stockpiled after an extremely hot and sunny day.

One more type of solar power that can be used is solar heating.  Buildings can be constructed with glass ceilings to absorb heat and minimize its need for a central heating system.  Black pipes can also be placed near glass ceiling or wall panels in order to heat a unit’s water.

Depending on what type of energy collecting is used, the maintenance and upkeep may differ.  This includes solar power testing to ensure that the equipment is working properly and efficiently.  However, all solar power units should be cleaned on a fairly regular basis because it is easier to collect and reflect energy on a clean panel surface.  A dirty or smudged surface will interfere with this process, making it less likely that each panel operates at its highest efficiency possible.

All of the abovementioned forms of collecting and producing solar energy are efficient alternatives for providing electricity that are environmentally-friendly.

This guest post is brought to you by Michelle Anderson, a blogger who enjoys writing about solar power testing and FCC approval.

• When you turn your air conditioner on does it make noise? Hearing loud banging or grinding can mean a problem with the mechanical parts of your AC unit. This is something that you definitely want to fix soon to avoid damaging major operational parts in your central air unit.

• When you set your thermostat, does the temperature in your home ever reach the temperature set? Usually this can mean that your AC is in need of Freon or a possible filter change. There is also the possibility of needing your system cleaned. If you have both indoor units and outdoor units running, your air is cold and yet you still don’t have the cooling power to cool the home. There are several probabilities to this problem, so the best bet is to have it looked at.

• Now what if your room temperature varies and drops lower than the temperature set? Or what if the temperature raises as much as 2+ degrees between the air conditioner coming back on after a rest? These can be problems seen with the thermostat and the pump.

In the summer we usually see an increase in pricing when it comes to our energy bill. But when you notice a leap instead of a jump in the price of your bill, it becomes a little disconcerting. Make sure to monitor your energy bill not only monthly, but also yearly to make sure that your bills stay on a trend rather than an incline. If you see a huge difference in bills, your AC unit is not running efficiently.

San Antonio is considered to have humid weather, especially if you are not accustomed to it and if we happen to be in one of the many summer months that the city has to offer. But usually you can get a cool escape from the humidity once you retreat to an air-conditioned building. What if your home is still as humid as it is outside? If your AC unit is running and the air is still muggy, then your AC definitely needs a repair.

These are just a few of the possibilities that can occur when your AC is not working properly. Regular AC unit cleaning and maintenance is a great way to keep your machine working properly and your best bet for catching issues with your HVAC system before minor repairs turn into serious and costly air conditioner problems.

Feel free to check out this video for an AC tip on air conditioner unit maintenance:

Shade is an Asset

If you happen to live in an area where big beautiful shade trees are nowhere in sight, there is an increased burden in the form of energy costs to keep indoor temperatures down.    One solution gaining increased awareness around more of the world is solar screens.  They replace the traditional screen with a material engineered to block up to 70-80% of the sun’s heat so it never even gets to the window.

Solar Screens have several  benefits once installed:

• Heat penetration is reduced by 80%
• Power consumption is reduced
• Attractive exterior features
• Keeps home décor from fading: furniture, carpet and drapes

Solar Screen Heat Reduction

As an example, let’s say there are 230 British Thermal Units hitting your solar screen. A solar screen has the capability to block 184 of those 230 BTU’s coming through the screen and hit a window’s exterior surface. If your home has double-paned windows on top of that, the remaining 46 BTU’s are further reduced to 35 BTU’s before reaching inside of your home. With a little math you will find 85 percent of the sun’s rays stay out of your home using these solar screens, by dividing 230 BTU’s (the number you started off with) by 35 BTU’s (the number you ended with).

Decorator Approved

There are several options available when choosing a solar screen and matching the décor around your home. Some screen are almost invisible, others will match exterior walls around a home and accent colors, which further accentuate the look of the home.

No More High Air-Conditioning Bills

With the sun less obtrusive and the reduction of its rays coming into your home, your air conditioner has never had it this good in the summer and your bill will provide the proof. You will be able to enjoy the sun without having to endure the heat or pay for it on your next electricity bill.

Costs involved: Will Your Power Bill Drop?

Once installed, it shouldn’t take long to see the effects of the solar screens.   Every month that passes supports you decision until the screens have paid for themselves and you are enjoying the lasting cost savings of your investment.   It doesn’t require a huge investment to achieve green living and solar screen contractors should be willing to give you a free estimate as an incentive to “go green.”

Basic AC Terms

In order to gauge what you’re really looking at, here are a few common terms you’ll need to be aware of:

“W”
A “W” is a watt, which is the standard unit for measuring power.

“BTU”
A BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and measures thermal heat energy.  In terms of ACs, they will generally rank in the 1000s.

“EER”
EER stands for the Energy Efficiency Ratio of any given appliance and basically tell you exactly how much cooling your AC will be able to provide you based on the amount of electricity it’s using.  The higher the EER rating, the less energy it consumes.  As a basic rule, anything over 10 is deemed “good” in terms of energy efficiency.

You will often see “energy consumed” represented by a “W,” and EERs can also be listed as BTU/W.

This means if you have two ACs, “A” vs. “B” and both have a BTU of 10,000, but “A” has a 1,000 W rate and “B” has a 1,500 W rate, you can simply divide 10,000 by 1,000 and 1,500 respectively, to figure out the EER.  Thus, “A” would have an EER of 10, and “B” would have an EER of 6.6, making unit “A” the better choice in terms of energy consumption.  Note that you will typically have to pay for the higher EER ranking, but should save money over the long run.

“SEER”

The SEER takes things to the final step and tells you the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is determined by BTU divided by watts within in a given cooling season.  As with EER, the higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the AC is.

Basic Formula

Now, with the right terminology in mind, you can follow a simple guideline to figure out just how many BTUs you need.  This is important, because if you have too few BTUs, your room will not be properly cooled off.  (Which basically means you’d be paying to run something and seeing none of the potential benefits you could have if you had the proper size.)  If you have too many BTUs, your AC will cycle off too quickly, which means that the room will be very chilled but not properly dehumidified, making for a cold, damp room that few would want to spend any time in.  So, guarantee your room is cooled properly by following this easy guideline:

10,000 BTUs – 250 square feet
12,000 BTUs – 350 square feet
14,000 BTUs – 450 square feet.

It’s really as easy as starting by measuring your room and multiplying length by width.  If you’ve got a 20 foot by 20 foot room, you’re looking at 400 square ft. and are going to need an AC with BTUs between 12,000 and 14,000.

It’s That Simple

It’s truly as simple as that.  One portable air conditioner can cool up to 450 square feet, giving you ample room to live and breathe, without having to cough up the installation cost of a central air system and then pay to cool an entire house (the guest bedroom?) that will be wasted cooling a large portion of the time.

The Perks

Don’t mess around with buying/trying/returning.  You’ll lose money, almost guaranteed.  Measure properly and buy the proper size the first time, without getting swindled by an AC dealer dead-set on selling you the biggest and best.  And, when you aren’t paying to over cool or trying to compensate for an under-cooled room, you’ll continue to save and cut down your costs for the duration of use.

Freelancer Jocelyn Anne writes most frequently about encouraging families to living more affordable, environmentally friendly lifestyles.  She’s currently writing about using a portable air conditioner to replace central AC systems to cut cost and energy use.

It is therefore wise not to just prepare for our summer holidays and fun under the sun but also be aware of how to keep our energy cost down at this trying season. Not only would you be glad you’ll have that extra dollars with you after summer but also be glad that you did your part to help the planet.

1. Set Your Thermostat

With almost 43% of your utility bill catering to cooling and heating your home, doing something on this matter will surely help cut the cost. One of the easiest way to do this is to set  your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer days. This is the recommended temperature which is comfortable for both you and the budget. Your home need not be too cold to keep you and a degree warmer means a savings of 1% of your energy cost.

Also do not forget to turn up the thermostat when you are not home. Program your thermostat as much as possible to keep the home at the most efficient temperature at specific times like when you are most likely to be home. Turning it off when you know that the weather will be really hot and turning it on only when you get home will be more costly as the air conditioner will work harder cooling the house that is hot.

2. Insulate

Making sure that your house is insulated not only for summer but also for winter is the best way to conserve energy as the house is more likely to maintain the temperature set for longer. Check that all windows and doors are sealed properly to keep the hot air out. Consider weather stripping and caulking. Use window solutions such as curtains and blinds and heat control films to further insulate your home.

3. Use Alternative Cooling Machines

Do not make it a habit to turn on the air conditioner the moment you feel warm. Grab a stand fan or turn on the ceiling fan instead as these options use less energy and can still keep you relatively cool. Ceiling fans alone use 25% less power than air conditioners so you can save heaps.

They are effective and can actually able to cool the room temperature by up to 10 degrees by circulating air downward.

4. Make Sure Your Coolers Are Running Efficiently

If the forecast for the summer is unbearable heat then make sure your coolers are in their best working condition. Have it serviced prior to summer and get the filter checked and replaced when needed. You would not want your cooler to break down when the heat waves come.

5. Cut down on Other Energy Guzzling Activities for Now

This is to compensate for the energy you use to cool your family down. Avoid doing chores that will bring heat in the house such as turning up the dishwasher which uses hot water. Do this instead when the temperature is relatively low like at night or very early in the morning to help the cooler maintain the right temperature in the house. Use the toaster instead of the oven to heat food up.

And try to outdoor cooking as much as possible. And of course this is the time to give the laundry dryer a break. Hang your clothes outside instead and make use of the power of the sun.

Annie is a frugal blogger writing for Home Loan Finder, the free money-saving tool based in Australia.

In this article I will share with you some of the cost saving ideas that have worked in our home.  When purchasing our home as young, newlyweds often do, we did not even notice that the home didn’t come with central air conditioning.  After about 6 years of living here, we have learned all kinds of tips to keep it cool throughout the summer months.

To begin the first thing that our family does is watch the weather.  By anticipating nice cool nights we can open most of the windows in the house to let fresh cool air in while we sleep.  By naturally allowing the house to “breathe” you will find that even the smell of your home will be fresher naturally. The next thing that we do is close the windows during the day time hours; this will keep the cool air in and the hot, humid air out.  |f you forget to close your windows you may come home to one sticky, humid house, which in turn leads you to want to simply turn on the air conditioning and defies the point.

The third tip is to invest in ceiling fans.  They are great in most rooms throughout the house and keep air circulating.  They are cost efficient to run and give that natural breeze like feeling which will help to keep you cool.  Another great tip is to consider painting or staining your home a lighter color, maybe a neutral color like a tan or beige.  This will keep your home from showing dirt, while at the same time keeping it cooler than a darker color like brown or red.

When insulating your home, remember this is not to just keep your home warm in cooler weather, but also cool in warmer weather.  Insulate your home well.  If you invest in anything, I highly recommend this.  By choosing to insulate well, you will cut heating and cooling costs considerably.  Also, take a look at your windows. How old are they?  Do they allow air to seep in or out?  If so, attempt to either replace the windows or seal them thoroughly to cut on energy costs.

A fantastic way to naturally keep your home cool is plant a tree.  How you may ask?  Well, if you don’t already have trees around your home, I recommend you grow some.  The reason is for shade.  Looking at our own home, if we didn’t have the trees we do, we would have a much hotter home.  Some recommendations are Oaks or Maples.  These trees are hardy, they grow in most areas of the country and their leaves are nice size to provide sufficient shade.

Hopefully you have learned some useful tips on how to keep your home cool in the summer heat.  Many of these ideas are tried and proven and have helped keep our energy expenses as low as you can get.  If you do chose to run the air conditioning all season long remember to keep those doors and windows sealed tight to keep that cool air in.  Good luck and enjoy a cool, comfortable summer!

Lisa Harris Gore has written this article from the cool, cool comfort of her home in Western Wisconsin.  She is an Award Winning Educator, Wellness Consultant and is a regular contributor for the health and nutrition website PSCLife.com – your best option for purchasing Cosamin ASU – a supplement that promotes new cartilage growth for the relief of joint and muscle pain.

Use non-toxic cleaners and other chemicals

There is a high likelihood that the cleaners and other household chemicals that are under your sink and in the garage

Image: scottchan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

are pretty toxic. These chemicals have a negative impact on the environment, can have a negative impact on your home environment(particularly if you have small children or pets), and use more natural resources than other, more natural alternatives. Natural, non-polluting alternatives are available to replace many common cleaners and some products such as paints, paint strippers, and other solvent-based products. You can find them at most grocery stores.

One very easy way to practice sustainability in your home is to use bar soap (preferably natural Castille soap) instead of liquid hand soap, which comes in a plastic container and generally contains more chemicals.

Use cold water whenever possible

It takes energy to heat water. This extra energy is generated by using more fossil fuels. By using cold water to wash your hands and to do your laundry, you can decrease your energy use. Using cold water in the washing machine also helps decrease the likelihood that your clothes will shrink.

Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs

LED light bulbs are a little bit more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, but they use less energy and can last up to 30 times longer, saving you money in the long run and reducing your impact on the environment. Energy is saved, and less fossil fuel is burned where LED lights are used and metal, glass, and fuel is saved in the production of longer-lasting light bulbs. LED lights are also completely non-toxic, containing no mercury.

Plants, trees and vegetables . . . outside and inside

It’s well known that trees absorb carbon dioxide in the environment and improve air quality, but most people don’t know that growing plants can have the same effect inside your home: absorbing indoor airborne pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide through the natural process of photosynthesis. Indoor plants have also been shown to absorb biological pollutants that carry germs, reducing the risk of illness.

Planting your own organic vegetable garden is also a great way to get cheap, healthy, pesticide free vegetables while reducing the environmental footprint created by commercial grown and transported vegetables.

Develop Energy Saving Habits

With just a little bit of extra effort, and common sense, the average household can significantly decrease its energy use, saving money and reducing its environmental impacts.

1. Turn lights off when leaving a room.
2. Turn off appliances when they’re not in use.
3. Unplug appliances and other electronic devices when they will go an extended period of time without being used. A device that is switched off but still plugged in still uses a little bit of electricity.
4. Turn the thermostat down in the winter, and up in the summer. Moving the thermostat up or down by even one degree can have a big impact.
5. Keep as many blinds and curtains drawn as practical on hot summer days. Outside light heats your apartment, making your air conditioner work harder.
6. Dry your clothes on a line, rather than in the dryer where practical. Dryers use electricity, clothes on a line use the sun.

Collect rainwater for watering your plants and garden.

Collecting rainwater is a great way to reduce your pumped, stored, and paid-for water by using it to water outdoor and indoor plants and gardens. Many parks and golf courses store rainwater for watering in retention ponds, but you don’t have to dig a pond: a portable bucket or basin or two placed discreetly beneath points where water runs off your house just as well on a smaller scale.

Promote Sustainable Living

Spread awareness of sustainable practices. If everyone knew about the small ways in which they could practice sustainable living and committed to even a few them, it would make huge difference. Practice sustainable living yourself, and then tell your friends some ways that they can, too.

In summary, sustainability is a lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Making small, common sense changes, such as avoiding toxic chemicals, using cold water, switching to more energy efficient LED lights, turning off the TV when you leave the room, and using rainwater to water your garden can have a big impact on your environmental footprint, and save you (and your friends) a lot of money.

This is a guest post by Rodney Warner a full time SEO with interests in LED Sign Supplies & LED Power Supplies.

Variable Speed Fans

Efficiencies in new heating and cooling equipment is at an all-time high. The new modulating variable speed / variable 

Photo by Ardyiii

capacity 98% efficient furnaces will in many cases give you a reduction as much as one third on the gas consumption but the big surprise is the electrical efficiency on the new variable speed fan motors they use less power than a 75 W light bulb.  A typical home will cost about half a penny per hour for continuous low-speed fan operation that’s only $.12 a day, less than four dollars per month for continuous fan operation. The benefits of the continuous fans are far more even temperatures throughout the entire home.  Installing an air cleaner on the new furnace will mean continuous air cleaning of the air, removing many of the pollutants and undesirable particulates, pollens from the air that aggravate many people with allergies.

Producing Less Summer Heat

Another feature of the variable speed fan is with far less power consumption comes far less heat being produced by the motor. Now in the winter months that heat is not a big factor but when cooling, all that heat must be pumped out of the house. So by producing less heat we actually improve the efficiency levels of our new air conditioner and obtain 1 to 2 points higher SEER, which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, think of it as miles per gallon, we are talking about how efficient the air conditioner is.

A Positive Impact

So when looking at new systems furnaces will be rated in BTUs, power and efficient, how much heat you keep. Air conditioners are rated in tonnage for capacity and  SEER for efficiency. Your new heating and air conditioning will easily pay for themselves over time and you will immediately have a positive impact on the environment.  The added cost of the better systems over entry-level standard efficiencies is usually recovered in a year or two so much value is returned to you.

Scott Follese is a co-owner at Golden Valley Heating & Air, a Minneapolis air conditioner and heating contractor.  For over 70 year Golden Valley Heating & Air has been ensuring comfort for families in the Twin Cities with full HVAC services.

In all cities, not just San Antonio, air conditioning technicians can inspect indoor air quality in your home. Air pollutants are circulated throughout your home by your air conditioning system. Some of these pollutants include pollen, smoke, chemicals from cleaning products, mold and mildew, dirt and dust, pet dander and other allergens.

Health Effects of Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can actually affect your health. Everyone reacts to various air pollutants differently. While it may be a huge issue to one person, it might not even affect another. Some symptoms of exposure to indoor allergens include: headaches, itchy skin and/or eyes, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, and stuffy or runny nose. Mold is one allergen that is not to be taken lightly. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can result in severe sickness or even death. Overall, any prolonged exposure to pollutants, even if there are no symptoms, will take a toll on an individuals health. Some of these symptoms may seem minor, but why continue living with them when action can be taken to improve?

Air-Conditioning Maintenance for Cleaner Air

Most of the interiors we inhabit use recycled air. Air conditioning units take the air from inside our homes, cool it, and

Clean Air Ducts for Filtered Air

send it back through the house through the air conditioning vents. This air needs to be constantly filtered and an air conditioning unit can help with exactly that. AC filters are very effective at removing many of the pollutants mentioned. Each time the air is cooled and pushed back into your home through the AC filter, it traps those allergens in the AC filter. It is important to regularly change your AC filter to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner and your indoor air quality. Make sure you routinely have your AC cleaned and serviced and that your air ducts are thoroughly cleaned. This ensures that the air is being cleaned by the filter before it enters your home.

Achieve Proper Ventilation for Good Health

Proper ventilation is important to any enclosed space. With proper ventilation, indoor air quality is greatly improved and humidity is kept low. If indoor humidity is high it can be the perfect breeding ground for mold. As mentioned earlier, mold is serious problem. Keep humidity at bay by utilizing exhaust fans during and after you take a shower or when you are cooking on a stove top. Some AC units even have built in dehumidifiers to take any excess moisture out of the air. During the hot summer months ventilate your home by turning off the air conditioner unit and opening windows early in the morning or late at night when it is cool. This will give your home a dose of fresh air while maintaining a cool interior. Be sure to turn your air conditioning unit back on before it gets too hot outside so the HVAC system is not struggling to keep your home cool.

Some other simple tips to help improve your indoor air quality are to prohibit smoking, avoid using aerosol sprays, and regularly bathing pets to reduce dander. All of these tips are referred to as source control. Source control is limiting the amount of pollutants that are being released into the air by directly effecting the source (i.e. pets, aerosol sprays, smoke, etc.).

These simple tips will not only keep you healthier but will create a home with efficient and clean air conditioning system. This means less air conditioning repair bills, which saves money, and cleaner air in your home.

Photo by New Home Directory

Factor in Climate

The ideal energy efficient home must suit the climate in which it will be located. The first step that new homeowners should take before building their homes is learning about the surrounding area and its weather trends. For example, if your home will be built in an area that is windy or sunny ensure that the materials used in the construction of the home will either reduce the effects of the area’s climate or put them to good use. Take for instance, if you are looking to capitalize on the sun’s rays in your area you should consider building a home with large windows and heat absorbent

Photo by Hammer and Hand

walls. The large windows will allow a greater amount of the sun’s energy to pass through, while the absorbent walls will collect the excess energy and later use it to heat the home. Obviously, this type of home is not ideal if you are living in an area that receives constant bombardment from the sun.

Location for Maximum Savings

The next factor to consider is position. The home should be located in an area that will allow it to use its resources appropriately. Positioning your energy efficient home can save you thousands of dollars on future heating and cooling. If you live in a cold area, place your new home in a location that receives maximum sunlight so you can spend less money on heating. On the other hand, if you live in a warm area avoiding the sun will cut down on your cooling expenses.

Use the Latest in Building Materials

When it comes to having an eco friendly home it is not enough to have a good building position or adequate knowledge

Photo by Green Home Design Architect

of the environment, as it is about having the right materials. Save money by building a reasonably sized home that will require less material. Furthermore, such materials should not require a lot of energy usage to maintain. Consider items such as insulating form when purchasing materials. This will regulate the temperature inside and outside the home. Also, add energy efficient windows to your shopping list. Such windows will not allow energy to easily escape the home. For your electronics and plumbing installations, although you will not perform such work yourself, ensure that the contractor is onboard with your plan and urge him to install items such as energy efficient refrigerators, water heaters, air conditioners and the like.

The initial cost of building an energy friendly home may seem daunting to some, but consider the money that will be saved on energy bills and water bills in the long run. A normal home may be beautiful at first, but if you only focus on the superficial aspects of that home it will lead to additional spending in the future.

Author Byline: Haliyma Barrow is a professional journalist and writer based in New York.  Haliyma loves to contribute guides on home improvement and home security, such as tips on choosing wireless home security system.

What Type Of Solar Panels Do You Need?

There are three types of solar panels, and they all vary in efficiency.  It is argued that monocrystalline panels are the highest quality, the most expensive, and the most space-efficient.  At the simplest level, monocrystalline solar cells are created by cutting them out off a big sheet of crystalline silicon.  Metal strips that are then placed over the silicon act as conductors for the electrons.

The quality of polycrystalline panels is not as high and they take up more space, but they are also less expensive!  This type of panel is made up of many small cells placed together.  The basic principle is the same, but they produce less output.  If you’ve got enough roof space, these might be a more appropriate choice.

The third type is known as amorphous solar panels.  They are called “amorphous” because, at the microscopic level, the silicon is not nearly as rigid as it is with the other types.  Amorphous solar panels are the newest of the three varieties and many consider it to be the future of solar panels.  However, they vary pretty widely in terms of efficiency, partially because the technology is still at a level of relative infancy. One advantage of amorphous solar panels is that they are cheap and easy to produce.

How Much Power Do You Need?

The main thing to think about when choosing solar panels is wattage.   Ask yourself – what do you plan on doing with your solar panels?  Do you want to power the whole house, or just use them to power certain appliances?  Do you also want to store energy that can be used during the night?

An easy way to determine how much wattage you need to power your home is to look at your electricity bill.  You’ll

Image: xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

see on it the amount of energy you use in kilowatt hours (KWH); a kilowatt hour is also sometimes referred to as a ‘unit’.  One kilowatt hour of electricity is the amount of electricity you would use if you were to run a 1000 watt appliance for one hour.  This is a standard unit of measurement of energy.  Your electricity bill will tell you how many KWH you consume per day on average. You can use this information to determine how much wattage needs to be generated by your solar power system to meet your energy requirements.

Take Your Time

This is only the start of the journey – things get more complicated once you start investigating the specific solar panels available to you. Although it may take some time to choose the right solar panels, it’s worth the investment.  However, be careful about getting stuck in analysis paralysis, because with the amount of choice available you may find yourself drowning under information overload. Although it’s important to develop a good level of understanding, it’s more important to actually do something with that knowledge. So do some research, understand the basics, get a few quotes, and then do your bit for the environment, and save money on electricity while you’re at it.

This article was written on behalf of Sun Connect; if you would like to get in touch then you can also visit Sun Connect on Facebook or Sun Connect on Twitter.

We don’t give much thought to how much easier and substantially more comfortable they make our lives …. at least not until our furnace stops working and needs to be replaced. Buying a new furnace is a major decision every homeowner will face at some point. Read on to learn what you should look for in a new heating system for your home.

Furnace Improvements and Efficiency 

Photo by Ardyiii

Since the invention of the furnace in the late nineteenth century, vast improvements have been made that have increased their efficiency and made them extremely quiet. The original forced air furnaces were built like battleships.

The heart of the furnace – the heat exchanger – was often made of cast iron or very heavy gauge steel. This made the furnace seem to last forever. This was a nice feature, but these heavy-duty exchangers took quite a long time to heat up. As they were heating up, all the heat from the burned natural gas was going up the chimney. Many of these older units would send as much as 50¢ of every dollar up the chimney – sacrificing efficiency for longevity.

Today, furnace efficiency is expressed as Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which measures the amount of heat actually delivered to your house compared to the amount of fuel that you must supply to the furnace. Think of it like MPG for a car – the higher the number the better.

The most efficient models today are 98% so only a few pennies are lost. A furnace that has a 98% AFUE rating converts 98% of the fuel that you supply to heat — the other 2% is lost out of the chimney.

The “top 3″ requests from consumers are:

1. High AFUE rating

2. Variable speed fan motors – this controls how much air circulates throughout the home. A variable speed fan will save hundreds of dollars in electrical costs over the life of the furnace, enabling air cleaners to perform 24/7 for pennies a day.

3. Variable output – this controls how much gas is being burned and how much heat is being added to the home. Options include: 2-stage for low/high output, 3-stage for low/medium/high output and modulating systems where the burner and blower will vary with the heating requirements of the home.

Furnace Accessories and Options

The most common optional accessories include air cleaners and humidifiers. Air cleaners are attached to the furnace in place of the conventional filter to improve the air quality. A humidification system can also be added to the furnace to add moisture back into the air.

As homes dry out in the winter months, it makes for uncomfortable conditions that can easily be resolved with the addition of a humidifier.

Hire a Good Contractor

When replacing your old furnace, the most important thing to consider is the contractor you hire to perform your installation! Heating and air requirements vary from city to city, but the majority of cities will require that the contractor take out a permit to do the installation. So, make sure that the contractor is licensed to do the job in your city and check to make sure that a permit is taken.

Hiring an established contractor has many advantages. You can get references from your neighbors or relatives so you know you’re going to get a quality outcome. It’s also important to know that the company will be there for you down the road if you need service or if you have any issues that need to be resolved.

Just remember the old adage, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” So, if you’ve received several bids on your new furnace and most are fairly comparable, but one is really cheap – there’s probably a reason. Make sure you do your homework.

Ask around, check the contractor out on the internet, and request and talk with current referrals who had work done similar to the type of work you plan to have done. A little bit of research can go a long way toward saving you from getting burned.

Scott Follese is a co-owner at Golden Valley Heating & Air.  For over 70 year Golden Valley Heating & Air has been ensuring comfort for families in the Twin Cities with full HVAC services.

R value (resistance to heat flow) may not seem that crucial, but it could be costing you money! Insulation is a material you probably spend precious little time thinking about. Until sub zero (or sweltering) weather, a three-digit utility bill or chilly drafts start to come, and you start thinking about R value a lot!

At home, you ponder whether it’s worth the time and expense to optimize the r value of your ceilings, walls and basement. At the store, you ponder which type, thickness, width and density to buy. And when you install it, you wonder just how good is “good enough.” The typical R value of attic insulation in American homes can range anywhere from about R30 (not insulated, warm climate) to R60 (well insulated, cold climate).

How Much Attic Insulation Is Enough?

Careful installation increases the insulation’s R Value by over 20 Percent. Leaving 5 percent of a wall uninsulated will reduce the entire wall’s R value by 20 percent. It doesn’t take much more time to install fiberglass insulation properly. Install wall insulation so it completely fills each cavity side to side and top to bottom. But remember, packing and compressing insulation reduces its effectiveness.

Insulation is rated according to its R value, or resistance to heat loss: the higher the R-value, the higher the insulating value. Standard fiberglass insulation has an R-value of about 3.5 per inch of thickness; this provides an insulating value of R-11 for 2×4 walls and R-19 for 2×6 walls.

But if you’re serious about energy savings, you can buy better-performing products. High-density types of fiber-glass insulation, with more fibers and air spaces per square inch, offer R-values of up to 4.25 per inch. Some provide R-15 for 2×4 walls and R-21 for 2×6 walls.

There’s also high-density insulation for ceilings and attics. You’ll wind up paying more and in many cases you’ll need to special-order it, but high-density insulation delivers up to 35 percent more insulating value per inch.

The first 3 in. of insulation you add to a bare ceiling or wall will yield huge savings. Adding another 3 in. will increase energy savings, but not to as great a degree. Visit the Energystar.gov Website for more information on the Recommended Level of Insulation for your home. Their recommendations are based on climate, fuel costs and other factors. Adding more insulation in your attic than you need will give you a diminishing return on your investment.

The payback period for retro-fitting insulation varies greatly, but studies show that added insulation usually pays for itself in saved energy costs within 5 to 10 years. One typical two-story Minnesota home was fitted with blown-in wall insulation, additional ceiling insulation and rim joist insulation at a cost of $1,890. The result was a $325 savings in yearly heating costs, which represents a payback period of slightly less than six years.

Pay back in more temperate areas takes longer, but remember that insulation reduces air conditioning costs too.

When You Insulate Attics and Crawlspaces You’ve Got to Vent Them Too!

Since insulation changes the way attics and crawl spaces “breathe,” it’s critical that you maintain or install proper ventilation.

At first, it seems odd to add insulation for warmth and then purposely create ventilation “holes” for cold air to enter. But if you don’t do this, you’re setting yourself up for moisture problems.

Make sure to follow these steps in installing your attic insulation:

• Lay plywood across the joists and hang a temporary work light. You should leave insulation in its wrapper until you’re ready to use it. Insulation is packaged in a compressed state and expands greatly when the wrapper is opened.
• Begin laying batts or blankets at the outer edge of the attic space and work towards the center (this will allow more headroom in the center of the attic for whatever cutting and fitting there is to be done). Lay in long runs first and use the leftovers for shorter spaces. Insulation should be installed around wiring taking care not to disturb it. Be sure to butt insulation tightly at joints for a complete barrier to heat flow.
• Insulation should extend far enough out to cover the top plate of the walls but should not block the flow or air from the eave vents. For best results, install ventilation baffles at the inside of the eaves.
• Insulation must be kept three inches away from recessed light fixtures unless the fixture is marked ‘I.C.’ (insulated ceiling) – a fixture designed for direct insulation contact. Insulation placed over an unrated fixture, like a recessed light, may cause it to overheat and start a fire. Fill the space between a masonry chimney and wood framing with noncombustible material such as unfaced Fiberglas insulation. If you are insulating around a metal flue, do not place the insulation flush to the flue. Always leave at least a three-inch space.
• Ends of batts should be cut to fit snugly around cross bracing. If a second layer of insulation is needed and the cavity has been completely filled, the additional layer should be placed at right angles to the joists.
• When adding to existing insulation, unfaced Fiberglass blanket is recommended. If the unfaced type is not available, use the faced type but remove the vapor barrier or slash it freely with a knife (then install the insulation with the slashed facing down). Do not leave faced insulation exposed. The facings on standard kraft- and foil-faced insulations will burn.

The air we breathe inside our homes need to be fresh and clean. The quality of your air indoors however depends if you have clean air ducts. These air passages convey cooled or heated air inside your homes. As air comes from outside, dust, mites and other microscopic dirt can find their way inside air ducts.  Filters though prevent these from getting indoors.

These materials however get stuck and accumulate inside air ducts. Over time, removing them becomes necessary. Otherwise, you’d be breathing unclean air inside your home where you spend most of your time. Who would have thought that unclean air ducts can bring peril to your family? That’s clear and present danger right in your very own home.

As materials accumulate inside air ducts, they may react with other elements in the air particularly moisture, bringing about harmful results adversely affecting air quality. Resulting fumes which may be harmful exposes you to danger. If such are odorless and colorless, you won’t even know that you are already at risk. Moisture inside air ducts may even cause the growth of harmful micro-organisms.

Why Regular Air Duct Cleaning Matters

Accumulated materials act as the medium. These organisms may then release toxic elements that go inside your home. Your air becomes deteriorated. It may cause various respiratory sicknesses and allergic reactions. Your health is a perfect reason why you must have clean air ducts.

Another issue you should also consider is how materials could possibly block air from flowing inside your home. Keeping your air ducts clean makes your heating and air conditioning system as efficient as possible, reducing energy costs.

It may seem that it can take forever before these minute materials totally block air passage. But accumulated materials inside won’t immediately stop air ducts from functioning. So much material must first accumulate before they clog your air ducts. Even so, air may not be totally blocked as it can still force its way to your home. In this case, the amount of energy needed increases in forcing air through clogged air ducts. The efficiency of these ducts goes down when these are obstructed.

Heating and Air Conditioning Efficiency

More power is needed for an air conditioning or heating system to force air through blocked air ducts.  In many cases, cooling or heating takes time before desired temperatures are attained.

What could be worse is that your desired temperature may not be attained at all even if maximum power is used. Your air conditioning or heating system may even bog down completely. This happens when compressors are forced to work at maximum capacities. You can just imagine how much it would cost you if you don’t have your air ducts cleaned.

So how often must you have your air ducts cleaned? Some make it a point to have theirs cleaned on a periodic basis. This is one sure way to have clean air ducts all the time. It may be costly however to have it based on schedule. To save on maintenance cost, you may have your air ducts cleaned based on necessity. But you should consider certain factors to ensure that the quality of your air always remains in good condition.

One factor is the location of your house. If you’re located in a place where dusts abound, your air ducts should be cleaned more frequently.

Moisture and Other Accumulation in Air Ducts

A location having frequent rainfall will also necessitate a more frequent cleaning of air ducts. More rainfall means more chances of moisture finding their way inside your air ducts. Another factor is the presence of animals or household pets near or inside your home. These are sources of mites and loose fur which may find their way inside air ducts. More animals could mean more frequent air duct cleaning.

Another important factor is the age of your air ducts. Older air conditioning or heating systems generally require more frequent cleaning. The number of occupants of your home is also a factor. The more family members there are, the more frequent air ducts should be cleaned.

You can see that air duct cleaning must become part of your home maintenance program. If health considerations take priority, air duct cleaning should take priority as well. It may be costly. But its returns in terms of health benefits will far outweigh the costs.

If you’re like many people you probably don’t give much thought to your home’s furnace … until winter comes and the snow flies.

But if you wait until that first real cold spell you could find that local heating and cooling contractors are too busy to visit your home, so why not plan ahead a little and take care of your furnace now?

Call in an HVAC Pro Annually

Most HVAC companies will visit your home and perform a 20 point inspection for between $100 and $200. Especially if you have not had such an inspection done in the last 12 months, call for an appointment now! It’s a small investment compared to the cost of running your heater all winter in less-than-optimal condition or having to make major repairs to your heating system down the road.

Be sure you hire a contractor who is licensed to perform heating and cooling system maintenance in your state and who is trained and authorized by the manufacturer of the brand system installed in your home. If the company completes the inspection and finds major problems or suggests your system needs a complete overhaul or replacement you should consider getting at least one other company to inspect the system so that you have another opinion; while most HVAC contractors are honest and legitimate, you could end up with that one shady character!

When your HVAC contractor performs this inspection, be sure to follow the steps being completed, ask questions and take notes. This way you’ll know what tasks are important and which you may be able to do yourself and what things to look for when inspecting the system yourself between annual maintenance.

What’s involved with Servicing a Central Heating System?

A large percentage of suburban American homes have central HVAC (heating and air conditioning systems) that use ductwork to vent warm or cool air throughout the home as needed. Most of these central systems burn either oil or gas, but the basic service procedures are similar and should get an annual checkup.

Failing to perform a yearly cleaning and inspection can reduce the life of your heating system and reduce its efficiency or worse; a blocked HVAC system could cause carbon monoxide to be pumped into your home, creating unsafe living conditions, or your system could fail altogether.

Most central HVAC systems have fairly standard components and if you are handy with basic tools and home maintenance tasks you can do at least part of the work yourself. Basic heating system maintenance you can perform yourself includes:

• Before the first cold spell of the season, test your heating system; check that the thermostat and fan switch operate properly and that warm air flows freely from all vents.
• If your system burns natural gas, check the pilot light. The flame should be clear and blue; if the pilot light flame is orange or yellow you may have a problem and should call a professional.
• One of the most important tasks you can perform yourself is to regularly clean or replace all filters in your system, something you should do every 60 to 90 days or at whatever interval your system’s manufacturer recommends. Clean filters allow air to flow freely, enabling your heater to run at optimal efficiency and extending the useful life of your heating system.
• Always be sure that heating vents are clear of obstructions such as furnishings, draperies, etc. While you may not like the way vents in your floors, walls or ceilings look, you do not want to block the air flow!

Before you work on your home’s heating or cooling system, you should take these steps:

• Check to be sure your system has power; check the circuit breaker or fuse. Some systems will also have a reset button and/or a separate power switch; be sure you know the location and operation of these features. If you aren’t sure, ask your HVAC contractor or technician during the annual inspection and make notes for future reference.
• Check the settings on the thermostat; set it five or so degrees warmer that the current temperature inside your home when testing it for proper operation just to be sure the system comes on.
• Be sure your system has plenty of heating oil if your system burns oil. Otherwise, if your system burns natural gas, check to be sure the gas supply is on and the pilot light is lit.

Always follow your HVAC manufacturer’s instruction manual and take safety precautions when performing system maintenance:

• Before you begin work on any heating or cooling system, check that you have turned off all power to the system. Trip the circuit breaker or remove the fuse that controls power to the system at the main service panel or, if you’re not sure which circuit runs the system, trip the main circuit breaker or remove the main fuse to shut off all power to your home. In some cases, the furnace will have its own separate service panel; if so trip the breaker or remove the fuse there.
• If the circuit trips or the fuse blows repeatedly when you try to turn on the system, you may have a potentially serious electrical issue and should call a professional HVAC technician to inspect the problem.
• If you ever smell natural gas or heating oil in your home, don’t attempt to shut off the fuel source or turn lights on or off; get out of the house immediately and call your gas company or fire department and report a leak.