Heated floors are comfortable, but is it an effective way to heat a room?
Running electric heating cables under ceramic tile is a great way to add comfort and warmth to an area. This type of heating is called Electric radiant floor heat.
Electric radiant floors typically consist of electric cables built into the floor. Systems that feature mats of electrically conductive plastic are also available, and are mounted onto the subfloor below a floor covering such as tile.
Because of the relatively high cost of electricity, electric radiant floors are usually only cost-effective if they include a significant thermal mass, such as ceramic tile. If the floor's thermal mass is large enough, the heat stored in it will keep the house comfortable for eight to ten hours, Electric radiant floors may also make sense for additions onto homes for which it would be impractical to extend the heating system into the addition.
Indoor air quality is 2 -5X worse then outdoor air.
Indoor air quality is a growing problem in our homes and the need to ventilate them is becoming important more and more each day. So why the problem? There have been improvements in the building techniques and styles like concrete slab on ground construction producing tighter homes. The change in building regulations to increase energy conservation has also contributed. The demand for comfort by sealing drafts out of the home and making homes quieter have also come into play. Even security and privacy in our homes have contributed to poor indoor air quality.
Controlled ventilation assists in controlling humidity levels in a home. This helps control; molds, dust mites, rust, airborne viruses and bacteria in the home. It even helps replenish the oxygen levels.
Here are some things to consider when thinking about insulation and ventilation to your home.
Has your insulation settled over the years? Compacted insulation is less efficient.
Dampness is the enemy of insulation. It ruins its efficiency and makes it less thick.
Sometimes, over the years, soffit intake vents can get blocked by insulation. They are not functioning if they’re covered by insulation.
If your ventilation is working, you will be able to hold a light piece of paper up to the exhaust vent and see it pulled by the air movement.
A hot attic in the summer makes your air conditioner work harder
If you live in a northern climate, ventilation and attic floor insulation are the keys to avoiding ice dams on your roof.
Look for cracks in your attic where light is showing. Light through vents is expected and proof the vents are there. But other cracks and separations in the structure of your attic can hurt the effectiveness of your ventilation.
Geo Thermal Heat Pumps use the energy from the earth to keep our homes warm and cool depending on the season.
Geo Thermal Heat Pumps use the energy from the earth to keep our homes warm and cool depending on the season. Special piping is buried under ground to transfer heat to your home and to remove heat in the summer.Geo Thermal Heat pumps are 70% more efficient than a conventional system. Most are Energy star certified and carry at least a 10 year warranty.Now a days pay back can be as soon as 5-7 years.There are also many Local and Federal tax credits plus rebates from your energy provider.I highly recommend Geo Thermal if you’re heating and cooling systems are near the end of their life cycle.
A great way to make the floors in your home more comfortable in the winter time is with radiant heat.It can be installed under ceramic tile, wood floors even carpeting.The problem is if the floor covering is already installed what are you to do? The isa product called speedy heat which is fiberglass matting about as thick as two credit cards with a heating wire running through it, just like an under floor covering radiant heat pad.The mat can be ordered to size and used under area rugs.The best part is it just plugs into the wall.It does not have to be hard wired it is movable and safe. See each plug in cord which is attached to the mat has a GFCI to protect from electrical shock. Use it in the bathroom, unplug it and put in under a throw rug in the kitchen.
You never want your home too dry or too wet.Home humidity in the winter should be around 40%.If your home is drier than this, adding a home humidifier would be a good idea. Here is just a short list of benefits from a properly humidified home in the winter time.
1. Maintains Health – Dry air is the perfect breeding ground for many viruses
2. Beneficial for Dry Skin –.
3. Valuable for the Home – Low humidity can cause wallpaper to peel, wood flooring to dry out, separate and crack, and wood furniture to crack and split.
4. Air Feels Warmer, Saves Money– Dry air feels cooler than humidified air,.
5. Removes Static Electricity – When the air is dry, static electricity is the perpetrator of frizzy hair, tousled clothes and electric shocks
6. Healthy Environment for Indoor Plants – Many indoor plants require humidity to survive,
7. Snoring Relief – Humidity moisturizes the respiratory system which can reduce the intensity and loudness of snoring.
In extremely cold weather, a properly working heat pump will run almost continuously. That is the way they were designed to work. Now, if it isn't extremely cold and suddenly your heat pump just seems to run all the time, this indicates a problem. Along with this usually comes a high electric bill, lower supply temperatures, and sometimes icing of the outdoor unit. Hear are a list of possible cause that you can take care of yourself.
· Outdoor unit iced-up - weather related
· Snow drift against outdoor unit
· Outdoor unit not running
· Thermostat set too low
· Cold return temperatures - example: air handler in attic and the return trunk disconnected from unit, pulling in cold attic air. Unit in basement with a basement return and open windows or a flapping dog door stuck open.
If that does not work call a service technician and he may find that there is a leak in the refrigerant or some restrition. It may also need a reversing valve or a new compressor valve.
When purchasing a furnace for your home there several things to consider.The size of the furnace, efficiency, single or two stage and the type of blower motor. The type of blower motor is something you may not have considered.I recommend getting a variable speed blow motor and here is why.
Instead of two fan speeds, furnaces with variable speed motors have many fan speeds. This helps to heat your home evenly and efficiently and are great for homes with bad ductwork. These “smart fans” also have the capability to speed up as the filter gets dirty, and slow down when a clean one is put in it’s place. Their motors are also more reliable and cost a fraction of the electric bills to run (and this is great because this motor is also used during the summer so the savings are year-round). Variable speed furnaces also have superior humidity control year-round.
Using a ceiling fan in the winter ? Really?Absolutely your savings in home energy by using your ceiling fan in the winter can amount to 10%.
Fans more effectively distribute heat throughout your home. When warm air rises, cool air can become trapped near floor level. This accumulation of air layers can be a problem during colder months, especially in rooms with high or domed ceilings. A ceiling fan breaks up the cool and warm layers, making the overall room temperature uniform. By simply flipping a switch to reverse the fan's normal operating direction, warm air is moved across the ceiling and down the walls. This distributes room heat without creating a cooling draft. The result is that warm air is where you need it - at the level you live in, not on the ceiling. So, in winter you can lower your furnace thermostat degrees, again saving energy dollars. Ceiling fans can also guarantee proper airflow in solar and other alternative fuel heat.So which fan should the fan run in the winter ?CLOCKWISE..
It's troublesome to turn off the exhaust fan and feel a cold draft coming back through the exhaust system. This might be a problem in the bathroom, kitchen, attic or wherever exhaust fans are installed. The solution is to install an inline backdraft damper. This damper opens automatically when the exhaust fan is blowing air, and it closes by itself when the fan is switched off. It's a sure way to keep the cold air from backing up through the pipe.
To install the back draft damper, turn off the circuit breaker to the exhaust fan. Remove the exhaust fan cover and the exhaust fan motor.
Purchase an inline backdraft damper in the same diameter as the exhaust pipe.
Using a hacksaw, cut off enough exhaust pipe to fit the inline backdraft damper in place of the pipe you removed.
Attach the inline damper to the existing pipe with two sheet metal screws and duct tape, with the airflow arrow on the damper pointing away from the exhaust fan.
Probably the biggest advantages of geothermal heating are low heating costs (cost savings can be as much as 80% over the fossil fuels) and it also uses significantly less electricity than standard heating systems. Geothermal heating uses Earth's heat which is a renewable energy source.
When it comes to efficiency geothermal energy is 48% more efficient than gas furnaces and even 75% more efficient than oil furnaces. There are also very low levels of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Not only that geothermal heating system heats the house but it cools it as well and operates very quietly. The heating systems maintenance is also very cheap since it requires only changing the heat pump unit’s air filter. Geothermal heating system can be also introduced into the existing home, especially if there's forced air duct system and its underground piping has lifetime of over 50 years.
Home design can pose some difficult challenges when it comes to heating your home. Common problems are rooms with high ceilings or a room with a lot of windows.Finished basements or bonus rooms are also troublesome as they are usually the coldest part of the home during winter months. Warm air rises and bonus rooms are usually located over the garage making these the two most common trouble spots. To solve these issues consult with a heating contractor about installing zone heating. Zoning heating directs heat where needed by using multiple thermostats. Inspecting your duct work for leaks can also help achieve greater comfort throughout your home.
The seasons are changing and here are a couple of quick things to do with your heating system.Change the filter.If you have a humidifier on the furnace the pad on the inside should be changed annually.There are different sizes on both of these so bring the sizes to the hardware store with you. Turn the damper to the winter position when using the humidifier and also turn the water valve to on. If you are not comfortable with doing this basic maintenance, call a heating professional to inspect your furnace and make these adjustments.This is also a good time to install or reprogram your programmable thermostat.While you’re at it check for any gaps in the duct work.This will cause loss of air flow and can easily be corrected by covering the gaps with aluminum tape.
Just about half way through the cooling season and here are a couple of things to do.
#1The outside compressor unit needs to be cleaned.You have been blowing those grass clippings up against the unit all summer and the unit needs to breathe.. Take a hose and clean of the screen material surrounding the unit.It is best to clean the unitfrom the inside out.
#2Change the filter in the air handler on the inside of the home.The pleated filters are great filters but restrict too much of the air flow.If you are using pleated filers use the 4” pleats or low air restrictive filters. It is best to change a standard filter every 30 days and the pleated filters every 90 days.
Basement closets can be come damp due to lack of air flow. A pantry over a crawl space will become so damp moisture can be found on the walls surface. This condition can create mold and mildew which can become a health issue.To solve this problem you might consider installing a golden rod dehumidifier.They are about and inch in diameter and come in 12” to 36” in length. How GoldenRod Works GoldenRod® heats to a surface temperature of less than 150°and circulates warm, dry air throughout an enclosure on a 24 hour basis. Expansion of the heated air forces the moist air outside through the vents or loose fitting doors leaving dry air inside. In runs 110 volt system with a maxuim power of 38 watts. The goldenrod should be mounted horizontally.
We always talk about having your heating and cooling equipment checked yearly but what does that include.
Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away. Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system.. Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use. Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels. Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
Cooling Specific
Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels.
Gas furnaces are usually vented several ways.The first is a metal pipe that carries the fumes up the chimney.The newer high efficiency furnaces are general vented through the foundation with PVC piping. If these vent pipes become blocked, carbon monoxide can become a problem in your home.The newer furnaces also have air intake PVC pipe running from the furnace to the outside portion of the home. It is IMPORTANT to not allow the outside vent terminal or air intake to be blocked or obstructed by vegetation, ice, snow or any other materials.
These furnaces are equipped with a safety feature which will not allow the furnace to be operated if either the inlet or outlet vent to the appliance is blocked. So if the furnace is not working that is one of the first things to check.
In the winter time the air in our home can be very dry which can have adverse effects on both you and your home.The ideal humidity inside your home in the winter time is 40%. If the humidity level is low problems occur. HealthWhole-House Humidifier can reduce the chance of upper respiratory problems. “Humidity reduces the incidence of respiratory infections and speeds recovery from the common cold.”
Comfort When the air in your home becomes too dry, your body is robbed of precious moisture, leaving you and your family with dry, itchy skin, and dry nose and throat symptoms.
Protection Dry air pulls moisture from walls and hardwood floors which leads to damaging, unsightly cracks. Valuable furniture, artwork and electronics are also subject to the adverse effects of dry air.
Energy Savings Most homeowners turn up the thermostat because they feel cold. A Whole-House Humidifier allows you to feel warmer at lower thermostat settings, saving up to 4% on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat, according to the EPA.
You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs.Although some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, most households usually only require them set at 120ºF. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding. However, if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater, it may require a water temperature within a range of 130ºF to 140ºF for optimum cleaning.Reducing your water temperature to 120ºF also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. This helps your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.
Indoor air pollution is becoming a bigger problem as our homes become more energy efficient.Here are a couple tips to help with this problem.Dust Mites cause allergies and other problems around the house.Use dust mite proof covers for pillow cases and the mattress and when washing dusty laundry use very hot water. Ventilation is also important; use exhaust fans when cooking and showering to minimize humidity that can cause mold and mildew. Eliminate any odors you may have in your; not by spray but by finding the source of the problem odor.Vacuuming carpets and furniture on a weekly basis and having a central vacuum system will remove all dust from the home.Keep all critters and there droppings out of the home.Look for mouse droppings and seal all cracks and crevices in the homes structure.
Draining a little bit of water out of your hot water heater about twice a year, can certainly improve the efficiency of the hot water heater. Now, to do that, you're going to shut off the power, you're going to shut off the water, and then you're going to find the valve down here. Now, this is a regular hose bib attachment, it can be attached with a regular garden hose and maybe pulled out to a floor drain. And, just go ahead and open up the valve, you release the water, and I'd let it run until the sediment clears, in other words, the water's clear once again. It may only be a gallon, it may be five gallons, it depends. Now, the valve on a water heater is really an inexpensive valve, usually about four bucks. It's a nylon valve like you see here. The problem is, after you drain your heater once or twice, you're going to end up replacing the valve. My recommendation is get to the hardware store, there's usually a three quarter inch pipe, as you thread the old one out, get what they call a ball valve. And a ball valve can be threaded back into the tank. And then as you open it, you can see there's stainless steel ball. And that's going to shut off the water supply, and that's going to last you many, many years. And again, that water should be drawn about every six months.
A whole house fan is a simple and inexpensive method of cooling a house. The fan draws cool outdoor air inside through open windows and exhausts hot indoor air through the attic to the outside. Running a whole house fan whenever outdoor temperatures are lower than indoor temperatures will cool a house. In summer, the air inside a home is heated during the hot part of the day. During the morning, late evening, and night, the outside air is often cooler and can be used to replace the inside air. Operating the whole house fan at these times will cool interior materials. As daytime temperatures rise, the whole house fan can be turned off. The cool materials (along with ceiling or circulating fans, which create an additional cooling effect) will help keep the interior more comfortable. These fans are usually installed in the ceiling in the upper reaches of the home.
Why don’t you turn on your window air conditioner? You’ve already tried that, but the room doesn't seem to be getting any cooler. Okay, it’s May -- here’s that advice:try these window air conditioner maintenance tips:
1.
To clean the condensing coils, remove the entire cover (watch for wasp nests) of the air conditioner to gain access to the coils, being extra careful not to bend or break any refrigerant lines; then, clean them by blowing compressed air at them or by using a soft bristle brush to brush the dirt away.
2.
Clean any dirt or lint build-up in the bottom of the air conditioner so the condensed water will be picked up by the condensing fan slinger properly.
4.
Check the aluminum fins on the rear of the unit – they can get bent and crushed when objects touch them, reducing the efficiency of the unit. RepairClinic.com can supply a handy fin-straightening comb.
Get started on maintenance before summer hits. You don’t want to be stuck without an air conditioner when you need it the most! If your unit is already in need of repair, go to our website for information and parts to help you fix it yourself.
I just got finished cleaning and changing my air filters for my air conditioning unit. I could not believe how dirty they had gotten in 3 months.Air filters are easy to forget about in the summer months; for some reason we always associate them with the furnace.Air filters are equally important in the summer time.When the filters become dirty the air will not circulate through thehome as easily and will drive up your utility bills and make you less comfortable. Standard fiberglass filters should be changed monthly.The allergen filters, the ones with a more dense media filter should be changed every three months.The electrostatic filters should be cleaned every 2 months.This is an easy project and should not be put off.
All week we have been talking about making your home green and nothing screams green more then taking care of your heating and cooling which accounts for 43% of your homes energy usage
Have your system maintained annually by a qualified technician.
Inspect, clean or replace you filters monthly.
Don’t block your registers or vents.
Install a programmable thermostat
Thermostat should be installed on an inside wall away from drafts and heat sources. Recommended summer setting 78 degrees
Using ceilings fans helps with energy concervation.
Duct work should be sealed and insulated
When buying a new system make sure it is Energy star rated and is sized to meet the requirements of your home.
You can't see radon, but it's not hard to find out if you have a radon problem in your home. All you need to do is test for radon. Testing is easy and should only take a few minutes of your time.The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picocuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L." There are many kinds of low-cost "do-it-yourself" radon test kits you can get through the mail and in hardware stores and other retail outlets. If you prefer, or if you are buying or selling a home, you can hire a qualified tester to do the testing for you. You should first contact your state radon office about obtaining a list of qualified testers. You can also contact a private radon proficiency program for lists of privately certified radon professionals serving your area. For links and information, visit www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html .
Since there is no known safe level of radon, there can always be some risk. But the risk can be reduced by lowering the radon level in your home. There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home, but the one primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil suction radon reduction system, does not require major changes to your home. Sealing foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind of system more effective and cost-efficient. Similar systems can also be installed in houses with crawl spaces. Radon contractors can use other methods that may also work in your home. The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors.
We have talked a lot about air quality in your home but how about temperature control in certain areas of your home. A recent poll we ran showed that 88% of those responding had hot and cold spots in their home.There are several ways to help correct this problem.Make sure that all of the duct work in your home is connected and sealed. Taping the joints with aluminum tape will force more air to the hardest to reach areas of your home. Adding insulation to the attic floor will also help by eliminating heat from radiating down into the home.Venting the roof, using booster fans, insulating the attic, garage ceiling or crawl space can also help solve this problem.Placing thermostats in different rooms and having an automated damper system installed in the existing duct work is the best for this problem.
Most homes are designed to seal the outdoor air from entering your home.That will save you money on energy bill but it will trap pollutants and odors inside your home. Many Homeowners turn to over the counter air fresheners to give their home a pleasant fragrance. Unfortunately these products only mask the odors and never really address the whole issue. Many of these air fresheners actually make the problem worse because they contain Volatile organic compounds or VOC’s.Some products contain ozone which can be problematic when inhaled. When the home is tight the ozone can not escape the home and this situation can cause asthma and respiratory problems.To prevent the problem find the source of the odor, ventilate or use a bacteria killing deodorizer not something to mask the problem.
In the 1970’s we started to make our homes more energy efficient by reducing the air infiltration and though that was a good idea it has caused problem with indoor air quality. With less air infiltration fuel sources, press wood products, radon, house cleaning chemicals are trapped in the home. If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Unless they are built with special mechanical means of ventilation, homes that are designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can "leak" into and out of the home may have higher pollutant levels than other homes. However, because some weather conditions can drastically reduce the amount of outdoor air that enters a home, pollutants can build up even in homes that are normally considered "leaky". Control ventilation is the key to a healthy home
Giant wind turbines look vivid on the horizon, and solar panels make striking statements about your efforts to conserve energy while decreasing your environmental impact.Do not forget about Geo Thermal, it may not have the visual appeal, yet still yields dramatic savings to your bottom line. Geo Thermal heating and A/C can is tried and true and can cut your utility bills in half.Geo Thermal is now more affordable then ever with the Emergency economic Stabilization act of 2008. The law contains long term tax incentives to encourage the use of alternative energy sources. It offers a one time tax credit of 30% of the investment, up to a maximum credit of $2,000 for all residential loop or ground water geo thermal heat pump installations. You might want to look into that one.
If the pilot light on your water heater keeps going out it is probably a bad thermocouple.A thermocouple sends a signal to the main gas control on the water heater Telling it the pilot is on. If the thermocouple goes bad It will send a false signal and the pilot will go out. The solution is simple replace the thermocouple. They come in several lengths and is important to get the correct size.The new gas fired water heaters, they have a sealed chamber, need to get there air, to burn the gas properly from vents in the side of the tank or from the bottom of the tank. If these vents are not clear, the flame and pilot will starve for air and go out. The vents need to be cleaned using a shop vac.
This past weekend I had a caller state that they had streaks on the walls of the home where the studs are located.I have had this call many times over the years and it is called ghosting.It is tiny particles that come from the incomplete combustion of fuel.It creates small particles of soot which collect at the most dense areas in the wall (which is located right in front of the studs).This problem has also been proven to come from excessive burning of candles, especially candles in a glass jar. After talking to someone in the HVAC industry he told me that the main cause is the lack of cold air returns on the first floor of the home. There are always microscopic particles in the air but by not having cold air returns on the first floor the air is literally suck up stairs with force and creates the ghosting problem.
I just got back from the hardware store today and saw something that I did not like.It was a propane heater proudly marked for indoor use.I have two problems with this; #1 it is a combustible fuel being used indoors which requires oxygen to run.#2 the amount of water vapor this puts out is significant and could cause other issues. It has two safety items such as an oxygen depletion sensor which shuts the unit off when oxygen levels drop.The other feature is a tip over switch which will shut the unit off when knocked over.On further inspection it never mentions the home.It states for cabins, garages, fishing shanties and barns but never a home.Homes are built tight and the others have little insulation and are drafty but the box says in BIG LETTERS INDOOR USE approved.Not in my book.
I have received several e mails from people asking about a draft coming into the home at the bottom louvers of their direct vent fireplace insert.On a direct vet ( one that does not go up a chimney.The pipe going to the outside of the home brings fresh air into the insert for combustion and the outer part of the pipe pulls exhaust to the outside of the home. These types of insert should always be installed with glass doors to prevent any type of draft into the home.There are no dampers on the pipe itself so some draft can be expected.The main cause for a draft is the contracted did not properly insulate the wall cavity around the fireplace insert.Proper insulation is a kill to minimize a drafty fireplace.Negative air pressure in the home can also be a cause of the problem so shut off any fans in the home.
When you start a fire in the fireplace you should always try to make the fire as hot as possible.Use small amount of kindling and paper for a quick hot fire. This will warm the chimney to create a good draw and pull the smoke up the chimney.Sometimes the draw does not work as planned and smoke comes down the chimney and into the room.This is caused by negative air pressure.Turning off the cooking stove fan or bathroom exhaust fan can reverse this problem.If the problem persist, cracking the window ever so slightly will add fresh air in the mix and increase the draw up the chimney.
I am often asked if you save money or lose money when using a fireplace.We you probably are wasting money unless you are purchasing some of the newer technology in stoves and inserts. These newer types burn less fuel and do not allow air to escape up the chimney.The one thing I do want to caution people on is installing the older type stoves. Money is tight and we have found more and more people installing second hand, uncertified and less efficient stoves as way to save money. Here is my caution to you; uncertified stoves can cause unhealthy indoor air pollution and can release 15 to 30 grams of smoke per hour, leading to creosote build up in chimneys which of course can cause chimney fires. The newer stoves release about 2 grams and hour. Do not take a shortcut when it comes to the fireplace.
With energy cost on everyone’s mind more and more people are looking at the fireplace to help save on energy cost. In fact 69 % of people that install a new technology fireplace, stove or insert do so to become more energy efficient.Beginning in Jan. 2009, home owners can take advantage of a $300 tax credit on the purchase of a pellet stove or a 75% efficient wood stove. The newer type of wood stoves can be purchased with an EPA certification. Thesestoves are found to burn less wood by as much as a third. These savings are not just found in stoves but also inserts. With these types of stoves and inserts you can utilize zone heating in your home. Placing these in rooms most often used allows you to turn down the thermostat to the central furnace, reducing fuel consumption and providing energy savings up to 20% to 30%.
When buying the small electric space heaters make sure the heater has a tip over feature. These controls are on heaters so that automatically shut off the power in the event the heater falls over. Never leave the heater on when you leave the room or retire for the evening. I also recommend you unplug the portable heater when it is not being used. Another safety tip is to never run an extension to these types of heaters.The heaters draw a lot of wattage and that can overheat an extension cord cause it to melt.These heaters typically pull between 1,000 and 1,500 watts and only one should be plug in per circuit.These types of heaters should not be used near water so keep them away from the bathroom and water heaters.
This is the time of year that we need to change our air filters for the season. You might consider a product called Filter Kote to make that ordinary filter even more effective. This product can be sprayed on the air filter safely, easily and it instantly transforms even the most inexpensive filter into a super high efficiency dirt removing filter. Filter Kote is sprayed onto the filters surface which creates appositive electric charge that attracts and holds the negative charged dirt particles.The result is cleaner air in your home. Home odors will also be reduced. The active ingredient in Filter Kote acts as an oxidation catalyst to neutralize odors as the air passes through the filter. Prove it to yourself by spraying half the filter next time you change air filters. www.filter-kote.com
If you have cracks or the facing of the brick in your firebox is in disrepair the best option would be to have the firebox brick replaced.The firebox is the part of the fireplace where the wood is placed in order to make a fire. If the firebox has cracked bricks or deteriorating mortar joints, it needs to be rebuilt with new fire bricks and high temperature refractory mortar; thereby restoring the structural integrity.It would be a different story if there is just one damaged which could be replaced much like you would replace a brick on a home.You may also be able to repair the brick but cutting open the crack with a diamond saw and filling the crack with a refractory mortar.
This is the time of year a lot of us utilize space heaters or utility heaters inside our home.
This is the time of year a lot of us utilize space heaters or utility heaters inside our home. And number one if you're in the market for buying one, make sure that you buy one that is UL rated. But even after you buy that heater, or even if you have an older one, make sure that you read the directions. There are several things that you want to be looking for. Number one if somebody kicks over or knocks over a space heater or utility heater, you want to make sure that it has an automatic kill switch. That way those elements that are glowing red-hot shut off and you can possibly keep from having a fire start. Another thing, these types of space heaters with the coils should never be used in a bathroom, a laundry room, or even a kitchen. Try and place it near an outlet so you can use the cord that comes with the space heater. I would hate to see you run an extension cord, and if you do, never run anything less than a 12 gauge, which is heavy duty extension cord, and never run it under any carpeting.This particular heater is designed to be sitting on a floor, not on a countertop. Keep it away from any type of items that are flammable; pillows, drapes, even carpetingSo, if you're using an electric space heater, make sure you heed those warnings.
I'm often asked, what kind of space heater is best for me, what's more economical?
I'm often asked, what kind of space heater is best for me, what's more economical? Well, I thought I'd show you a couple of types that are on the market. The least economical, but the cheapest one on the market is actually the coil type heater. This has got a ribbon or a coil that heats up like a toaster, and a powerful fan blows the heat out into the room. Now this is designed to be used on the floor and just heat that small area around the heater. So, it's kind of expensive to operate. Another thing is the ceramic heater. Now the ceramic heater doesn't have the red hot coils. It has a ceramic disc that heats up, it holds the heat longer, and it's a little bit more economical than the coil type heater. This is again, designed to be used on the floor, as all are. All space heaters are designed to be used on the floor, but a little more economical. One thing I like here, is they have a pedestal type ceramic type heater. It's on a tower, and that's going to heat you as you're sitting in the chair, a little bit better than just heating your toes and feet. Now one other thing I really like. This saves a lot of space. This is a ceramic plate that's mounted on a wall. It's great for use underneath a desk, if the office is always cold. It's very economical because the electricity heats the plate and then radiates the warmth onto your toes and legs and keeps you nice and toasty. You can even paint that plate if you like. Then the last one is a filled radiator type. Now this is going to use a lot of juice in the beginning. It's going to heat the oils that are inside this radiator and again, it's going to radiate the heat in the room. This is going to heat a little larger area than say the small type space heaters.
It happened to me again this year; which way is that ceiling fan suppose to be turning in the summer time?
It happened to me again this year; which way is that ceiling fan suppose to be turning in the summer time?I figured out the answer once again by turning the fan on forward or clockwise and then reverse or counterclockwise.The proper way to have the fan moving in the summer time is forward.When the fan is moving forward it is pushing air down and creating a wind chill.This should allow you to move your thermostat up saving you energy dollars.If you do not move the thermostat up it could cost you money.In the winter time the fan blades should be spinning in reverse which causes the air to be pulled up to the ceiling and then the warm air will be pushed down along the walls. Remember in spring and summer we move our clocks and fans, forward.
Draining or flushing out the water heater is a good idea at least once a year.
Draining or flushing out the water heater is a good idea at least once a year.Sediment collects in the bottom of the heater and he is heated just like water and that is robbing your energy dollars. Sediment can form in the water heater by coming into the home in a burst when municipality flushes their hydrants or is just undisolved in the water itself.In most cases just draining off a couple of buckets full will clean out the tank.Just open the valve at the bottom until the water is running clear.If the water still has sediment a total flushing maybe necessary.This will require you to shut of the power and close off the intake valve to the tank.Open a valve upstairs will speed this process along.
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