Archive for the ‘Boiler’ category

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Heat Loss Solutions: Boilers

November 11th, 2010

Heat loss is a problem that is usually associated with forced air furnaces. Leaky duct work and drafty rooms are among the biggest complaints that these units are known for. Boiler owners often assume that because they use radiators instead of vents and duct work, they don’t have to worry about heat loss. However, heat loss is still an issue that even boiler units can be affected by. There is simple fix that any homeowner can create even if you do not have a single “do it yourself” bone in your body! What is the solution to this problem? Radiant panels.

Heat Loss in Boilers

The truth is that boilers would not have this problem is radiators were installed in the center of every room in the home. But, this would not only be inconvenient for furniture placement but also horribly unattractive. No matter which type of radiator you have in your home, vertical, horizontal, baseboards, ect…, odds are it is smashed up against a wall in the corner of each of the rooms in your home. This is where the problem comes in. » Read more: Heat Loss Solutions: Boilers

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Posted in Boiler, Go Green, Heating, Insulation, Money Saving

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Heating Fire Prevention

October 26th, 2010

With winter just around the corner, it is time to think about fire safety and your heating systems. Many homes have a furnace or boiler, but you may also have a wood burning stove, a space heater, or fireplace. All of these systems, including their chimney or flue, can cause a house fire. According to the United States Fire Association (USFA), 54,500 residential fires are caused by heating units every year! This makes heating systems the second most common source of house fires following cooking. Fires can not only severely damage your home and property, they can also take lives. Luckily, there is an easy way to prevent heating fires in your home this winter seasons.

These fires are most commonly started by one of two things: system malfunction or improper use of the system. First let’s discuss system malfunction. USFA sited lack of maintenance as the cause of system malfunction. When you neglect your system year after year, dust and debris build up on the major parts of the unit. This buildup bogs the performance of your heating system and makes your furnace or boiler work harder to meet the desired temperature in the home. Over time, this work overload causes failures in the system which can lead to fires. The easiest way to prevent this is by having a professional clean and check your furnace or boiler yearly. During the cleaning, the technician will also be able to identify any potential problems before the system has a failure that could cause a house fire. » Read more: Heating Fire Prevention

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Posted in Boiler, Furnace, Heating, Information, Maintenace, Safty

Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

September 9th, 2010

Carbon monoxide could be leaking in your home right now, and unless you have a detector installed, you wouldn’t even know that it was happening until you were poisoned. Yet, every day your run your furnace, boiler, or hot water tank you are risking a carbon monoxide leak. To prevent something like this from happening to your family, you need to be aware of what causes this type of leak, and what you can do to protect yourself.

Furnace and Boiler Heat Exchangers

Gas fired furnaces and boilers use a heat exchanger to heat the air or water that they use to heat your home. In a furnace or boiler, combustion is created when the gas mixes with air and ignites the burners inside the unit. The burners then transfer the heat to the heat exchanger. Every heat exchanger has two sides. One side is in contact with the harmful combustion gases, and the other side is in contact with the air or water that is going to be circulated through the home. This way the combustion gases like carbon monoxide and never in contact with the air that we breathe. We are protected by the barrier created by the heat exchanger. In a furnace, there will be a draft inducer motor that will filter the toxic gases outdoors. » Read more: Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

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Posted in Boiler, Furnace, Heating, Information, Safty

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Boiler or Furnace: The Battle between Hot Water and Hot Air

August 23rd, 2010

If you own a home in the United States of America, more likely than not you have a forced air furnace heating your home. Though this type of unit makes up the majority, hot water and steam boilers are in a close second. But, is a furnace really what is best? There are certain things that every homeowner should consider before converting or buying a new system to meet their HVAC needs.

The Pros and Cons of Furnace Ownership

Do you want to hear the good news first? Furnace units have gained so much popularity with homeowners and building contractors for two main reasons. First, forced air furnaces allow a room or home to heat quickly. Second, air conditioning units are easily hooked up into a forced air system, and this type of cooling system is the best way to cool home when compared to the other options out there: window or wall units, portable air conditioners, fans, etc… » Read more: Boiler or Furnace: The Battle between Hot Water and Hot Air

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Boiler, Furnace, Go Green, Money Saving

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Get Your Boiler Ready for Winter

August 17th, 2010

With winter encroaching on our summer fun as every day passes, now is the time to check the heating system and make sure that we are all prepared for the snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures that are soon to become our reality. If you have a boiler system, you have special steps that you must take to properly care for your type of system.

Testing the boiler

Clean out the boiler room-

No matter where your boiler is located in your home, the space should be kept impeccably clean. This room should not be used for storage unless it happens to be fairly large, and the boiler can have a good 4 feet of space between it and anything else. You should sweep out the area to keep any dust or debris away from the boiler fan or pilot light. Dust can clog up these parts and cause system failure. If the pilot is blocked you are risking a gas leak. Also by keeping the area clear, you will be able to see if there are any leaks in the tank while there is still time before a fire or explosion. » Read more: Get Your Boiler Ready for Winter

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Posted in Boiler, Contractors, Heating, Money Saving, Safty

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Flooding and Your HVAC Systems

June 25th, 2010

With the recent flooding across our country, there are a lot of Americans who are trying to salvage their homes. Flooding can destroy anything from carpet to appliances, and one of the more expensive casualties may be the heating and air conditioning systems. However, these units will be well worth the cost to either repair or replace when compared to the dangers that they can cause. There are several measures that homeowners must take to ensure renewed safety in your home after a flood. » Read more: Flooding and Your HVAC Systems

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Boiler, Furnace, Heating, Information, Safty

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Understanding Your Heat Exchanger

April 5th, 2010

The heat exchanger is the core of a home heating system. Whether it is a furnace or boiler, the heat exchanger is one part of the unit that cannot be ignored in regards to maintenance and efficiency. To do so may be deadly. So whether your unit has recently been diagnosed with a bad heat exchanger, or if you are just curious as to what your heat exchanger does, hopefully this will clarify your understanding of this vital component to your heating system. » Read more: Understanding Your Heat Exchanger

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Posted in Boiler, Furnace, Heating, Safty

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Extra savings to be had

March 19th, 2010

If your in the market to purchase a major appliance there is yet another reason to be looking at High Energy Efficient Models if you live in Illinois!  Though it’s a program with a set budget, so the money will be running out soon. » Read more: Extra savings to be had

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Boiler, Furnace, Go Green, Heating, Money Saving

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TAX CREDITS

September 29th, 2009

Who wants some of the Obama money?? I know I do! But how do we get it? Well I went on the energystar.gov website and this is what I found. You can get up to $1500 back on your taxes, real money not a deduction but cash. THAT’S GREAT!!! Here’s how it’s worded. » Read more: TAX CREDITS

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Boiler, Furnace, Go Green, Heating, Information, Money Saving

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Humidify or Not to Humidify

September 19th, 2009

Dry sinuses, bloody noses and cracked lips – humidifiers can help soothe these familiar problems caused by dry indoor air. Humidifiers can also help ease symptoms of a cold or another respiratory condition

But be cautious — while humidifiers can be useful, they can actually make you sick if they aren’t maintained properly or if humidity levels stay too high. If you do use a humidifier, play it safe: Monitor humidity levels and keep your humidifier clean — dirty humidifiers can breed mold or bacteria that can make you sick.

Central humidifiers are built into home heating and air conditioning systems and are designed to humidify the whole house.

Low humidity can cause dry skin, irritate your nasal passages and throat, and make your eyes itchy.

High humidity can make your home feel stuffy and can cause condensation on walls, floors and other surfaces that triggers the growth of harmful bacteria, dust mites and molds. These allergens can cause respiratory problems and trigger allergy and asthma flare-ups.

Dirty reservoir and filter pad in humidifiers can quickly breed bacteria and mold. Dirty humidifiers can be especially problematic for people with asthma and allergies, but even in healthy people humidifiers have the potential to trigger flu-like symptoms or even lung infections when the contaminated mist or steam is released into the air. Ask your heating and cooling specialist about proper maintenance, which should include a new humidifier pad every year.

You should replace your humidifier pad at the end of the furnace season. This way you won’t breathe mold or bacteria all summer long during the cooling season. If you forget, make sure you replace it before the next heating season.

Breathe Safe

MADMAX
For more health and wellness tips, check this site out.

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Posted in Air Purifier, Air Quality, Boiler, Furnace, Heating

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