Archive for the ‘Heating & Air’ Category

Ceiling Fan Heater – Heat Rooms With High Ceilings

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Having a large house presents certain problems. Some of those are less obvious than others. One of the less obvious but most common is heating large rooms with high ceilings. These rooms can use up a lot of energy in heating them, partly because heat tends to want to rise as opposed to stay on the ground level where gives the occupants the most benefit. To counteract that law of physics, a ceiling fan heater can help heat these rooms in an economical manner by using the natural properties of heated and cooled air. A couple of these fans in selected rooms, while not inexpensive, can bring down heating bills significantly especially in the winner.


In this system, the heater is attached to the base of the ceiling fan. Air is heated, and then spread by the fan evenly throughout the room and down to the lower levels. Eventually, as the air rises, it reaches the heater where it is reheated again. This provides a very economical and energy efficient way of heating a large area where central air or heating would be prohibitively expensive. These fans can heat up to 4000 cubic feet of space, which is larger than many standard bedrooms and living rooms. The ceiling fan heater is also safer than normal heating systems in that the unit is located high away from where children and pets can get at the unit.


On top of that, heaters have gone up in technology. While adjustments to a ceiling fan heater required a ladder and steel nerves in previous years today many units are equipped with remote controls. This reduces the amount of time spent in the air on a potentially shaky stepladder adjusting the unit. These types of heaters can be purchased at home improvement stores or they can be found online. The prices range from the mid $100s to the mid $300s. It certainly costs more than a standard fan, but depending upon energy bills it may make up for the initial cost with energy savings from not having to heat the entire house.


A ceiling fan heater may be a great addition to a home depending upon room size and energy bills. It uses fan blades to counteract the forces of physics to heat up large rooms with a minimum expenditure of energy. Though there is some expensive up front, the make up in energy conservation will create a powerful incentive for some to consider this heating source to forge through the winter nights.

Ceiling fan heater styles vary. Ceiling fan heaters are a great idea.

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Underfloor Heating and Its Features

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Underfloor heating is as efficient as it is complicated. While researching for the salient features for this heating process, we made a list of a few questions and searched for their answers. Here are some of the answers we received! We hope all these will help you understand the process of underfloor heating and make a decision on whether or not to go for it.

Can this peculiar mechanism be used as a stand-alone heat source?

This heating mechanism is very effective if you have a well insulated home. Well, this is not all as your home will need to comply with the current housing regulations and should be approved for underfloor heating installations. You’ll need to check with your local housing authority in order to make sure if you can get it installed.

Can this mechanism be installed under all kinds of flooring?

Yes, this heat radiation mechanism can be used to under all kinds of floors. As added information, the mechanism works best with stone and tile flooring. However, it can also be used under wood flooring, vinyl flooring as well as linoleum. People often use thick rugs or carpets for insulation. This will only reduce its efficiency.

How much time does it take to heat up the floor once the mechanism is operational?

Well, this mostly depends on the sub-floor construction, i.e. the material used in constructing it. For example, if the builder used concrete for constructing it then it will take longer to heat up the room. On the contrary ply wood sub floors tend to heat up faster than before.

Will I require professional help in installing the setup?

The installation process is fairly simple and you’ll be able to do it on your own without much hassle. In case you aren’t too good, a do-it-yourselfer, we recommend that you hire a competent contractor to do the job for you. Get hold of a good electrician in order to make sure that the heater is connected to the thermostat properly.

My flooring has already been installed. How can I install the heater at this stage?

Well there is nothing much that can be done about it at this stage. The only way you can do it by ripping up the floor again and putting it back in its place, once the installation has been completed. There is no other way to go about it.

How soon can I make use of the system after it’s been installed?

The system may take a few weeks before it gets operational. This is due to the fact that the tiles and the floor will take some time to mature, i.e. at least 2 to 3 weeks.This is one of the most cost efficient heating mechanisms available today and is perfect for both homes as well as for industrial setups.

With all this information at hand, we hope you’ll be able a decision on whether or not to choose underfloor heating.

For any help on Electric under floor heating, check out the info available online; these will help you learn to find the Underfloor heating!

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What You Need to Know About Boiler Condensing Economizer

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

If you are looking to save energy, as you can’t keep up with your bills anymore, you should consider investing in a boiler condensing economizer. What you have to do before you decide on which boiler to get is determine the capacity of the boiler, the steam production, the stack gas temperature, fuel consumption, hours of operation and the combustion efficiency. It is also vital that you discover your in-plant uses for the water; some examples are preheating, makeup heating, process heating and domestic water heating. Once you have distinguished what you need the boiler condensing economizer for, it will be easier for you to make a decision.

It could be residential purposes that you need the boiler for, or it could be industrial, either way, you must know exactly what it will be used for before you can search for the right boiler. Cast iron boilers are the most popular ones to use; they are durable, reliable and affordable so keep this in mind when you are shopping for the perfect boiler. Another aspect you have to take into consideration before purchasing is the thermal requirements to be met through installing an economizer boiler. Cost savings as well as fuel energy are important factors too and should not be neglected.

What you should do is obtain quotations from different companies, but make sure that the quotation includes the installation as well as the boiler itself, unless you know how it should be installed. However, even if you do know a little about boilers, it is not advised that you attempt the installation yourself, but rather get a professional in to do it for you as that way you know that it is done properly and should something happen with the boiler after that you can call them back to fix it and it won’t be your fault, nor should you have to pay for it if the problem stems from the way in which the installation was done.

The heat in the exhaust gases that is available in a boiler condensing economizer will depend on how much hydrogen is in the fuel, it will also depend on the fuel firing rate, the stack gas temperature and the amount of excess oxygen found in the flue.

If a boiler plant is able to provide as much as 500,000lbs of much needed steam for the heating system, the best system to use here would be a direct contact boiler. This is one of the condensing economizers, so it should all work out just fine. This should save anything up to about 20MMtu, but of course this amount would depend on the boiler load used at one time. Due to the fact that the condensate will not go back from the heating system, energy that is recovered will be used further, to heat the plant makeup water.

A boiler condensing economizer will benefit you in more ways than one; not only is it cheaper to have, but it is also easy to use. You will be much happier with the performance of one of these boilers compared to that of a traditional boiler system.

Lee Anderson was born in New York, New York where he was raised in the corporate business environment where both his parents were involved. After inheriting a substantial part of the business, Lee decided to expand the business horizons by traveling to Europe and the Far East. Privileged with enough time to spend with his family, Lee spends the rest between over-viewing his business interests and his other passion, writing.

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Portable Evaporative Coolers – Are They the Best Choice For Me?

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

How Evaporative Coolers Work

The first thing to know is how Evaporative Coolers, or swamp as some call them, work. This is important to recognize because it will make the difference in what type of Cooler you purchase and where it is placed. All Coolers produce cool air the same way. As water is pumped over the pads or media it is evaporated into the air. This evaporation process causes a temperature drop of the discharged air. The more water absorbed into the air, the greater the temperature drop of the discharged air. Humid air is already saturated with moisture, therefore you will get far less temperature drop across the cooling media. In very dry areas much more water can be absorbed into the air. This causes a temperature drop from the outside air to the discharge air of 20 to 30 degrees. Swamp Coolers use about 25% of the energy that an air conditioner will use. They can be a very economical choice in the drier areas.

Stationary Or Portable Cooler?

Many prefer to use a roof mounted or a window mounted Cooler. These usually provide cooler air, but both require installation. A roof mounted Cooler requires a roof stand, roof penetration, and a duct system in your attic. This will cost you several thousand dollar just for the installation. A window mounted Cooler is much less expensive, but a separate unit is required in each room to cool the house. Both of these types of Coolers draw in outside air. This dry outside air moving across the cooling media is cooler than air being recirculated continuously through a Portable Cooler. As the air becomes more humid in the room, less water can be absorbed when the air passes through the media. Because of this it is better to position the Portable Cooler in or close to a door or a window.

There are advantages that Portable Coolers give which you do not have with other types of Coolers. A roof mounted Cooler is more difficult to access and maintain. It also cools the house with a larger motor that uses more energy. This is not necessary if only one or two rooms of the house are used at a time. Window Coolers are more accessible but are too difficult to move from room to room. Portable Coolers are perfect for moving to different areas of the home when needed.

Which Portable Evaporative Cooler Model Should I Purchase?

There are several manufacturers that make quality Portable Coolers. Tradewinds makes several models that are versatile as well as quality products. They currently have five models in their Gadabout series. The Tradewinds M500 is their largest model and is generally used in areas like workshops and garage areas. The Tradewinds M150, Tradewinds M201A, Tradewinds M301A, and Tradewinds M401A are all Portable Coolers perfect for residential use. These models all vary in size and CFM discharge (Cubic Feet of air per Minute). Champion also produces several quality Portable Evaporative Coolers. They produce three stylish pedestal design Coolers. These are Champion CP35, Champion CP65, and the Champion CP70. Many people like these models because of their oscillating louvers. The Champion EC302 is a model shaped similar to a box fan. This model can be rolled on it’s casters or set on a stand in front of a window.

There are quite a few companies that sell these Portable Coolers. I recommend going online to find the best Cooler brand and model that fits your need. All of the businesses that sell these coolers online will ship them to your home. To find a list of the many companies that carry Portable Evaporative Coolers Go to Google or Yahoo and type in swamp coolers online. Competition between Portable Cooler businesses can be fierce and you can often save money by shopping for them online. I hope these tips will help you find the best Portable Cooler for you at the best price.

I’ve worked in the evaporative cooler industry for 25 years and have installed and maintained units from all major brands of evaporative coolers. Through the years I’ve learned many trade secrets and valuable tips for working on evaporative coolers. For more tips like these please visit http://www.washburncoolers.com

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How To Troubleshoot Air Conditioning Units?

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Air-conditioning has become an essential in all offices, shopping malls, cars, as well as most of the households. As air-conditioning units are machines after all, they will definitely break down some times. Therefore it will be beneficial for you if you know some information on how you can troubleshoot air-conditioning units.

Let us just discuss some of the most frequently asked questions about air-conditioning units:

1. Why is your air-con unit leaking? There are 2 main reasons why your air-con unit is leaking. The drainage pipe could be choked with dirty particles so the water cannot be drained out, causing leaking from the unit. Another reason could be due to poor installation by the contractor whereby there is no proper gradient of the drainage pipe.

2. Why is your air-con unit not cold? The blower and air filters may be dirty and clogged with dust. Or it can also be the thermostat is being set too high and the unit is undersize.

3. Why is your air-con unit producing foul smells? This could be due to the smell of cigarettes, odours or other air pollutants being sucked into your air-con unit.

4. What will happen if you do not service my air-con units? The air-con unit will gradually be unable to produce cold air, and water leakage may occur.

5. How often should I service my air-con units? For households, it is advisable to service your air-con units once every 2 months. For air-con units in offices, it should be serviced every month.

6. Why is it necessary to dismantle the fan coil unit for chemical wash? It is necessary as the dirt at the cooling coil can be washed and cleaned thoroughly.

7. How should I choose the right type of air-con unit for my home or office? There are 3 steps to take note of over here. The first step is to identify the areas that you require air-conditioning. The second step is to determine which type of air-conditioning units that you want, for e.g. brands, power and savings. The last step is to choose a professional contractor help you choose the right types that suit your needs.

8. How to choose the right contractor? Always check the types of guarantees that the contractors offer and make sure that the contractors have registered offices for
accountability.

Weather has become so warm that air-conditioning units are essentials almost for everybody. Hope that these frequently asked questions can help you to gain more insights about how you can troubleshoot your air-con units.

Cheow Yu Yuan is a freelance article writer and specializes in article marketing on the Internet.

This article is written for one of his clients in the aircon industry, you can visit the website from the link below…

Click Here: Aircon Services and Repair – Ericool Aircon

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Adding Central Heat and Air to an Existing Home

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Many older homes were built pre-central heat and air. This is a luxury that many of us have to enjoy and when moving into an older we find that this luxury is also a necessity. We tend to lose tolerance for heat as we grow older and those old window air conditioning units just look tacky. However, the whole idea of having to add ducts to a home can sound difficult and expensive, but it is easier than you might think.

Central heat and air uses a primary heating appliance such as a furnace that is often located in an area such as a small closet, basement or garage. These systems deliver heat throughout the house through pumped warm air through a system of air ducts or by sending hot water or steam through pipes to room radiators. In newer homes, the system is usually built in with the home. The duct system may be set up with an air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace. There are also two types of systems including a forced air system and a gravity system. Gravity systems, however, do not provide air conditioning and can only provide heat. If your system includes an air conditioner, then the system is a forced-air system.

Air conditioners and heat pumps are forced air systems that share ductwork. The air conditioner runs on electricity and removes heat from air through refrigeration. The heat pump is capable of providing both heating and cooling. In the winter, the heat pump extracts the heat from outside air and delivers it into the home. In the summer it does the opposite. It extracts the cool air and pumps it into the home. These systems tend to be very economical and use only one duct system.

Many central air conditioners are split systems with a condenser outside and the fan and coil unit mounted in the attic. This means that the ducts will originate in the attics. The challenge here is if the home is two stories. It can be difficult to get the supply and return ducts to the first floor. The second floor will generally have ducts that run through the attic floor, while the first floor will need to have ducts run through closets. This takes up less space than some may think and the mess can be minimal. The contractor will need to cut holes in the first and second floor ceilings and some second floor closets will need to be used for running ducts.

This work will be well worth it in the long run when your home is kept cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you have an older home, especially one with two stories, it can be difficult to spend anytime upstairs during the summer. The upstairs rooms will hold a large amount of heat and will definitely benefit from central heat and air. In the winter it is often difficult to keep first floors warm because the heat rises. Central heat will make your first floor rooms much more comfortable.

Chris Brown is a regular contributor to Home Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling and Kitchen Remodeling websites. Chris also takes pride in many of his own do-it-yourself projects around his own home.

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Heating Water for Domestic Hot Water or to Heat Your Home

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

Water is heated for two purposes in residential applications. The first is to heat water for domestic use. Such a cleaning, washing, cooking, showers and bathing. The second is to heat water to be a medium for carrying that heat to a room then releasing the heat into that room to keep us warm.

Water heater| hot water tanks

Heating water for domestic use is done with hot water tanks, tankless water heaters, or indirect water heaters.

Tankless water heaters

Tankless water heaters are becoming more common in North America, although these have been used in other parts of the world for years. This kind of water heater does not have any water in a tank. If you do not have a tank then you will not have to continually keep that water heated as the water will always cool even when not in use. The cooling process is caused by heat from the water warming the air in the flue, then the hot air rises and is displaced by cooler air which is in turn heated by the hot water (convection heat just like baseboard heating). This air will flow up the flue and spill out into the room. Also the water in the tank will cool as heat conducts through the tank and into the room. This cooling process is called standby loss and because of this process your water heater is at best 55% efficient.

Tankless water heaters are more efficient than hot water tanks because of the heating process. A hot water heater will heat the bottom of the tank and the center of the tank, with most of the energy leaving the tank up the flue. Where as a tankless water heater heats a coil of pipes inside of a heat exchanger similar to that of a boiler. This heat exchanger is made up of small tubes that heat up very fast.

A tankless water heater will also modulate the burner. So if you need only a small demand the tankless heater will only give you a small flame. And if you need a larger demand a tankless water heater will give you a larger flame.

Hot Water Tanks

Hot water tanks are the most common form in North America to heat your domestic water. These tanks have been around for a very long time and have not changed much until recently. Most homes use a 40 to 50 US gallon water heater. Between high energy costs and pollution many people are switching to better ways to heat there water.

A hot water heater requires a chimney for the flue gases to flow to the outside (except power vent and direct vent water heaters, these can be piped out the wall). Water heaters also have an anode rod to protect the tank, a dip tube to allow the cold water to flow to the bottom of the tank, a gas valve, burner and a relief valve. NEVER plug a relief valve. This is the largest cause of water heater explosions. Water when heated to boiling changes to steam. When this happens the water expands 1700 times and with no where to go the tank has to blow up. Usually the bottom is what bursts and the water heater becomes a rocket shooting through the roof in a two story building.

For more info got Hot water tanks:

Indirect water heaters–An indirect water heater uses a boiler to heat the water that flows through the inside of a coil of pipe which in turns heats the domestic water through conduction. These are very efficient, have a fast response time and out last a standard water heater more than three to one. The response time is very quick giving you more than enough hot water. In my opinion these are the best water heaters on the market. The biggest problem is that you need a boiler to heat the water therefore the cost can be high compared to a normal water heater. If you are renovating and going to install hot water heating of any sort, such as a fan coil instead of a high efficient furnace, then this is the way to go

Water heating | Heating your home

Heating water to heat your home is best done with a boiler. The reason I say this is that a boiler is meant to heat water in an efficient manner, while your water heat is not. A standard water heater has an efficiency of 65% to 70% including standby losses. A standard boiler runs at about 80%. The boilers I install have an efficiency rating of between 85% and 98% depending on the system and time of year. So you could use a water heater to heat your home (check with local codes), but the lifespan is much less and your heating bill will be much greater. Not worth the $2500 to $3500 difference between the two. (my opinion). You could use a tankless water heater, but you will need two or three if you are heating your domestic water as well. Still compared with a condensing boiler you are only saving less than $1000

Kelly Kramer owns a plumbing company and buy and sells real estate, if you liked this article you can learn more at http://www.edmontons-business-directory.com

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