Electric Heating Systems

A large number of families today are using radiant floor heating systems for their home because of the various advantages that they offer. If you want comfortable and warm home, then using a heating device of this nature would be a great choice since it is efficient as well as cost effective. Another major benefit of using this particular device is that it is easy to install and can be done by anyone with a little DIY knowledge to save money.

What kind of homes can use this system?

Radiant floor heating systems can be used for fully constructed homes, renovated homes and also for new homes. There are several different types of tools and DIY kits available today for installation in all types of home. Although it is recommended that you should have some electrical and plumbing knowledge, you can even undertake the project without any prior instructions since most kits will provide you all the basic knowledge and a step by step guide to follow which will make it immensely easy for you.

Installing a hydronic system

If you are using radiant floor heating systems that are water based, or as they are called, hydronic systems then you will also get a thermostat along with it. You will be able to decide which part of your home you want to heat. You can decide to make the living room or the bedroom warmer using the thermostat. This will also depend on the tubing layout in your home. The tubing layout is the trickiest part of the installation. You may tuck it under the elevated joists or the floor or you can also install it under the slab floor when your home is being constructed. After the layout has been completed you will next have to install the mineral wool insulation. You can also select any other type of insulation material for directing the heat to the interior of your home.

A vapor barrier is recommended since it will prevent the moist from creeping into the home and damaging adhesives or floor coverings. You may also think about radiant barriers that reduce the thermal loss and maximize heat radiation within the home. Place a welded wire or wire mesh as reinforcement for the tubes. This will ensure that the tubes remain in place.

Ensure that the slab or floor can handle the weight. Other than the floor, flat roof insulation can also be used for the roof and ceiling to ensure that no heat would escape from those places. Although the installation process may seem to be a little difficult it is actually not very difficult if you take your time. Once installed, radiant floor heating systems will provide you all the benefits you want.

If you are planning to buy an electrical appliance in order to maintain a healthy and hearty atmosphere at your commercial or residential place then one of the best alternatives to go with is heat pump. There are several people who are unaware or confused about how the heat pump works and what actually it is. Ideally, a heat pump is an electrical appliance that transfers heat from one place to another and helps in maintaining an ambient temperature at home. It work on the reverse phenomenon of fridge which can defined as heat id transfer from outside air in to the desired place during winter and transfer heat from inside to outside air during summer.

This electrical appliance has an advantage over many systems which provide heating such as gas, oil, coal and many more. However, it has been seen that several people takes this electrical appliances for granted and with the frequent and regular usage of this appliances takes toll internal machinery systems and as a result it breaks down when you badly needed it. A faulty heat pump heating can cause lots of problems therefore it should be maintained and repair to run in top efficiency. Here are important heat pump maintenance tips which should be performed regularly in order to keep your unit effective and efficient.

Maintaining outdoor unit: Before performing any maintenance task always turn off your unit that will ensure you in safety. Check the outside unit to clean all the weeds and dust accumulated around the heat pump. If you find the weeds or debris clean it properly otherwise it may block the air flow of your unit. Once the cleaning is finished the next step of maintaining your outdoor unit is the heat exchanging coil and gently cleans all the dust and debris. It is always better to clean with the help of vacuum cleaner to make it run at to efficiency.

Cleaning of air Filter: The first and foremost tips to maintain any air conditioning or heat pump unit are the maintenance of air filter. It should be inspected regularly and depending upon the condition of filter it should be cleaned or replaced after one or two months. Clogged air filter reduces the unit's efficiency by fifty percent and causes several problems in your heat pump. During air filter maintenance also check the ducts and vents to ensure that there should be no blockage in the pump.

Indoor unit maintenance: After cleaning of air filter along with ducts and vents, the next important tips is the maintenance of indoor unit where you have check the controllers as well as thermostat's temperature. The thermostat temperature should be below the room's temperature in order to get an effective cooling or heating from your heat pump. And after that you must check the Freon level which is sometimes causes the poor Air flow.

Whenever, people faces trouble with the heating appliances repair and maintenance work in Arizona heating and repair and maintenance companies provided the best services available in the city.

If you want to heat your home as affordably as possible you may want to consider a low-energy method such as radiant heating. This heating method has a number of advantages that make it a viable alternative to forced air heating systems. Here is what you need to know about these systems and how they can help you save money on your heating bill.

What is radiant heating?
With a radiant heating system, your home is heated from the floor up. A series of plastic tubes allow hot water to travel under the floor and the heat radiates upwards from there. The hot water is then circulated back to the boiler to be reheated and then sent back through again. The water may travel through a system many different times, each time allowing the heat to transfer from the floor into the air.
The heat for the water can be obtained from a number of different sources. Some of the more environmentally friendly methods of heating water include solar hot water heating and wooden pellet-powered boilers. Since the water is part of a closed system and does not come into contact with people it is possible to get the water for a radiant system from rainwater collection systems or grey water collection units.

Why is radiant heating a great choice for a home?
Radiant heating can be an excellent alternative to forced air systems since it does not create any cold zones in a room. The tubes pass under the entire floor which is heated evenly. As well, the heated air is not as dry with a radiant system as it is with a forced air system. This means that a home will feel warmer even when a thermostat is set at a lower temperature which can further reduce the cost of heating a home.
In a forced air system it is easy for dust, mould and air-born pollutants to be spread around the home and this can be a problem for anyone with allergies. In a radiant system, this is no longer an issue. There is also additional flexibility when positioning furniture as there are no floor vents that need to be avoided.

What to consider when installing one of these systems
There are a few things to consider when installing a radiant system. You want to think about the most reliable source of heat to warm the water. You also may want to consider installing a system that allows you to control the temperature in individual rooms or specific areas of a home. While this can add to the cost it will make it easier for you to keep your heating bills under control.

An energy-efficient heating and cooling alternative, the geothermal heat pump system moves heat from the ground to a building (or from a building to the ground) through a series of flexible pipe "loops" containing water. This edition of Energy 101 explores the benefits Geothermal and the science behind how it all comes together.

We've all had terrible days at home, work, or school where the temperature was too uncomfortable to function. It's hard to get anything done, or even relax, when you're burning up or freezing cold. These uncomfortable indoor environments can happen anywhere. No matter where you live, air conditioning and heating in Phoenix or Lansing or anywhere can make your home the perfect temperature. But what are the costs of air conditioning and heating, and do the benefits make those costs worth it?

A furnace or air conditioner can cost quite a bit of money to install, but this is a one time payment. You are paying for the equipment as well as the installation, and once that's done you can start enjoying your new climate. The costs don't stop there, unfortunately, as air conditioning and heating can drive up your electricity and gas bills. There are, however, ways to lower the monthly costs. Buying newer and more efficient AC units will lower the cost. Turning off air conditioners and furnaces when they're not needed or when you're not at home will also save you money.

The benefit of air conditioning and heating is a permanently comfortable climate in your home. Thermostats constantly monitor and regulate the temperature in your home to be as close to your personal preference as possible. This means no more dragging a blanket around the house, or cracking open windows and strategically positioning fans around the house.

The cost of air conditioning and heating isn't cheap, but if being comfortable in your home is a priority to you, there are few better ways to invest your money. You'll enjoy the benefits every single day for years to come.

Home heating can put a big dent in your budget during the cold winter months. However, it doesn't have to be that way! You don't have to sit around wrapped in blankets either. Believe it or not, it is possible to heat your home efficiently without breaking the bank. There are several different options to help you keep warm and save money all winter long.

Most people have one central source of heat for their home. It may be a forced air furnace that is fueled by natural gas, heating oil, or even coal. Some homes are heated with electricity, however most built in electric heating systems are not efficient and are very costly to use. The central heating system of a home usually means you have one central thermostat that controls the whole home. This is one of the main reasons why whole house heaters are not the most efficient way to heat.

Usually in a home, people tend to congregate in common areas such as the kitchen, family room, den, etc., during the day. At night they retire to their bedrooms. But when you are using a central heating system you are heating the whole house all day long, no matter if there are people using the rooms or not. Sure, you can shut vents and close doors, but it is still ineffective and wasteful. There are better ways to keep your home warm and comfortable.

There are several different home heating options that will keep your home comfortable, but you won't be unnecessarily heating unused areas of the home. Fireplaces have long been a source of heat for homes, but most of the heat would escape up the chimney. With newer energy efficient gas fireplaces you can warm a room or even a good portion of your home effectively and efficiently.

Wood burning stoves are another option for heating your home. The warmth from a wood stove is cozy and reminiscent of a cabin in the mountains. Of course you will need to make sure you have plenty of wood on hand to keep it burning. A wood burning stove or fireplace is a great backup source of heat as well. Even if you don't use it on a regular basis, it is nice to know it is available in case of a power outage.

Many people turn to space heaters to supplement their main heating source, but as portable heaters have evolved they are becoming a great choice for a primary heat source. The electric space heaters on the market today are extremely energy efficient. They can heat up to 1500 square feet and cost pennies a day to run. The best part about these heaters is they are made very safe. They have stay cool cabinets and several safety features built in so the unit shuts off if it tips or overheats.

Heating your home doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. By finding alternative ways to keep your home cozy and warm, you can stay warm and save money all winter long.

So winter is well and truly here and we're all starting to think about keeping warm. With budget cuts and rising taxes embattling the UK householder on all sides, and one major British energy supplier already threatening to raise its average supply costs by nearly 10%, the cost and efficiency of heating in Britain's homes is a real concern. Fortunately, help is at hand in the shape of heated skirting boards: an entirely new heating product that the trade is now using instead of radiators. The heated skirting board is fitted to all new extensions and home builds - but it can also be retro fitted, allowing customers to minimise their energy bills and maximise their comfort no matter what kind of home they live in.

Heated skirting boards have been designed with three things in mind: comfort, efficiency and safety. The comfort level achieved in a home fitted with standard radiators can be hard to balance: the radiators either come on too hot, heat the house to boiling point (which of course wastes a ton of money on fuel bills) and take an age to cool to a decent temperature; or they never quite heat their space enough. The skirting boards, on the other hand, are extraordinarily sensitive: they'll heat a room in a very short space of time (typically around five minutes) and are so well controlled that they can achieve any temperature you desire. Used in conjunction with a compatible thermostat the heated skirting board can turn on and off as required, only coming on in order to return the ambient temperature of a room to a preset level. That means smaller heating bills right from the start - and that's before we've even considered their efficiency rating.

The skirting board heating have been tested to BSRIA (the Building Services Research and Information Association) standards. The results are impressive: using heated skirting boards is a more efficient way of heating a home than using radiators. That's because the heated skirting doesn't have any exposed grilles or fins - the metal components of radiators that get clogged with dust and other particles, preventing heat from circulating efficiently through the air. These particles can also be mildly hazardous to health - when heated, they eventually detach from radiator fins and rise into the air of a room, where they may be inhaled by its occupants.

The efficiency rating of heated skirting boards consolidates their supremacy over radiators in the heating bill costs department: their installation costs make them superior to under floor heating too. Heated skirting is cheaper to fit than UH, the "other" healthy heat option - meaning that, overall, the cost benefits of installing it could well be the early Christmas present we've all been looking for this year.

"Healthy heat" is any kind of in-home heating that poses provably minimal health risks. Under floor heating and skirting board heating are the two best performing solutions in this category. It goes without saying, then, that the new heated skirting product wins the prize on every level. Not only that, but it looks great too - the skirting is available in as many profiles and finishes as you'd expect from "normal" skirting, including genuine wood.

So - what's not to like? With the building trade giving it an unqualified thumbs up, heated skirting looks like the number one choice to warm your wallet this winter. Free up wall space by removing bulky radiators; make your heating safer and more efficient; and stop burning holes in your own pocket by raising the temperature of your heating bills unnecessarily. Perhaps it isn't going to be such a bad winter after all.

The amount of wasted energy throughout every home is enormous. Without realising it, you're wasting energy and therefore money by all sorts of methods. Whether it's leaving a television on standby, or having poor insulation throughout the home, everything adds up to an amount which over the course of the month, or even a year, would be very noticeable and beneficial not only in terms of saving money, but also in terms of saving energy. One important, yet often overlooked area, is the way in which your heating works in the home.

While having a highly efficient boiler and heating system in your home is great, it's worthless without heating controls providing some intelligence between when the heating is turned on or off, and what temperature it should be running at. Having a hugely efficient boiler running on it's own for twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, will be wasting a huge amount of money. Therefore it's a good idea to invest in a heating control system, allowing you to specify when the boiler turns on and off - it's of no use to have the boiler heating your home if you're not around to see the benefits. If you're at work, the boiler can switch off, and then switch back on again just in time for when you get home.

You can also have heating controls to work depending on temperature, thus turning your boiler on only when you really need it. Once the temperature dips to a certain level, the heating controls will turn on the boiler once more, to heat up the house. The boiler would then turn off once the home reaches an appropriate temperature. As soon as the temperature drops off again, the boiler starts up, and so it goes on.
Ultimately both methods save you energy, and both will save you money, even with the investment of purchasing a boiler heating control panel to begin with.

Nearly all men and women wish to acquire tepid water. Nevertheless, this is often expensive on account of ever rising power bills. So, one particular technique people turn to spare cash is by using solar heating and cooling systems. You are now really don't have to pay money for hot water considering that sunlight is accomplishing all the difficult job for you.

You will find 2 spots where you can actually commonly locate the employment of photovoltaic home heating systems: either general heating for your overall residence's liquid source, or scaled-down units that will heat up ones pool.

Here's how they operate. The systems would take in the radiation from the sun to heat up the water. They're typically placed on your roof where it can take advantage of the rays from the sun's rays to create the highest level of warmth.

Summer months is generally the ideal period for making use of them, for the reason that sun's rays have reached their strongest and can offer the most electric power.
This kind of solar technology panel, could be used while in the pools, Boilers or hot water holding tanks, or at fresh air heating device. They are mostly used inside the house. For sure you'll be able to, preserve electric power and lower the cost of your electric bill.

Making use of your solar power panels for heating differs from other solar energy panels; the design of this is usually to heat drinking water or air primarily. Getting them can provide a continuous supply of electricity as longer as they're in excellent operating predicament.

This kind of solar energy home heating has two kinds of methods: The solar, which often comes from solar panel systems. And therefore the The solar power thermal, which refers focused heat coming from the sunlight.

Solar heating devices run and run using an uncomplicated design and style. Solar panels, which absorb temperature through the sunlight, are generally affixed nearby the pool area (usually next to, or on the roof of a surrounding house).

Photo voltaic heating and cooling models not simply are wonderful since of their excellent effectiveness, but also on account of their impressive versatility, not forgetting their straightforward and cost-effective assembly. Photo voltaic technology is attractive.

Countless consumers already have solar power inside their dwelling, office, swimming pool, etc. for they are fully aware just how this unique solar technology functions within their property.

The solar energy heating and cooling cells get the job done by acquiring electrical energy to provide power to a heating pump. This may also grab the sun's energy by way of the cells which are in the ceiling top. As you are very mindful, solar energy is totally free and unpolluted. It doesn't render contamination to the natural environment considering the fact that its purely natural electric power.

You will discover numerous people now that build their own personal solar panels It really is more affordable and you'll be able to be positive that you apply tough sort of substances in making 1. Several folks acquire used home heating systems and resolve any kind of slight impairs.

In the event you arrange to put together photovoltaic home heating systems, you'll be able to go search online via the web. You can get a number of web sites to get from and a few to teach you just how you can make your own private solar power heating panels plus some supply the least expensive price. It is possible to also get some ebooks with regards to on exactly how you can put together your own private solar energy warming sections.

Expenditure on fuel is a major item in your household budget, and most of the money goes in heating the air and water. Sadly you only receive the benefit of part of the energy you pay for as most of the heat is lost through wall, doors, windows and the roof. In a poorly insulated house about three quarters of the heat is lost in this way. This loss is not inevitable and half the cost of heating is possible if you properly optimise your central heating.

It is inevitable that some air will get into the central heating system, and it is essential for it to be removed. A small amount of air will move into one of the radiators and cause it to be cool at the top. A large amount of trapped air can seriously restrict the flow of water and so cut off heat to several radiators. Even worse, air will encourage corrosion and the by-products are hydrogen gas and rust in the radiators and black sludge throughout the system. Remove air and gas from the radiators as a matter of routine.

There is no point in wasting heat when you are not around the house, but it is often false economy to switch the system off on cold days. It usually saves fuel in the long run too keep the house at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and this means running the system the thermostats at a low setting during mid winter nights. Make sure the water heater thermostat is at the setting recommended in the instruction manual. You may damage the water heater is the return water is too cool.

You must make sure that you have the water heater services regularly. Never wait for trouble to occur before calling in a heating engineer. Have a regular service contract with a firm you can trust and this will give you the protection of a detailed examination plus any necessary repair work at least once a year. Of course, if something goes seriously wrong then you will have to ask for help immediately. Dangers to look out for are serious overheating accompanied by loud knocking or a hissing sound, and also water leaking from pipes or valves. In the case of leaking radiator joints, try to tighten the nuts with two spanners before calling for a plumber or qualified heating engineer.

If you were one of the people who have felt the cold in the UK in the past week, like myself, then you also decided to switch on your central heating. It's predicated that this Winter is going to be one of the coldest yet and if this is the case then once again we'll be faced with vast expense of heating our homes to make them relatively habitable throughout the Winter months.

How can we bring this cost down? Well, there's not much chance of the electricity and gas suppliers lowering their costs to what we all like to pay, but you can make sure that you're on the fuel tariff most suited to cater for your consumption. Using websites like money saving super market to compare your local suppliers will make sure that you're with the cheapest supplier and on the lowest cost tariff.

Also, making sure you're savvy with being energy efficient will help with your bills. Instead of turning your home into a furnace, why not turn the temperature down on your central heating thermostat? On average, for every 1ºC you turn down your heating, you'll save £50 per year and also 1/3 of a tonne of carbon! If you're wearing just a t-shirt inside on the coldest of winter days, you're probably running your central heating too high.

If you don't have a timer, you can cut your bills by investing in one. In my home, I have a 24hr timer. This timer allows me to turn the heating on and off automatically at set periods in the day, and have that setting repeat daily. I have it set to turn the heating on about an hour or two before I wake up in the morning, so the process of getting out of bed is slightly less painful. My boiler is set on a low temperature setting for the heating, so the flat is gradually warmed in the morning, making it just warm enough without over heating the property. As I'm at work in the day there is no point heating my home, so the heating comes on in the evening for 2 hours just to keep the place warm whilst I'm there.

Often the approach taken to heat a home is to constantly heat it at a low temperature. This isn't really helping your energy efficiency when using gas or electricity. It's best to use it only when you need it and when you do turn it on, have it turned up to the lowest setting possible for your desired comfort.

Winter is here and your home (especially in older homes) may have areas that need a little help in the warmth department. The solution most people think of is a space heater. They are compact, portable and newer models are energy efficient. Everything has it pros and cons and the biggest con of space heaters is the risk of fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more home fires occur in December, January and February than the rest of the year. Of the top three causes of house fires, space heaters rank third behind smoking and electrical shorts. Space heaters are involved in 79 percent of fatal home heating fires. They may not have an open flame, but they are hot enough to start a fire.

To prevent these fire risks, follow these simple safety tips.
Do's

• Read and follow the instructions for its operation and maintenance.
• Keep the heater in safe working condition; replace missing guards and controls at once.
• Keep a safety zone of about three feet, or refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the distance the heater should be placed from combustible materials, and the floor so carpeting or flooring materials don't start to burn
• Check surrounding objects periodically to see if they feel hot
• Plug cords directly into outlets, do not use extension cords

If you have no other option other than an extension cord, make sure it is a heavy duty cord marked with a # 14 gauge wire or larger. If the heater's plug has a grounding prong, use only a grounding (three-wire) extension cord. But again, this is NOT recommended.

• Electric space heaters should be Underwriters Laboratories approved and have a tip-over switch
• Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements.
• Use heaters for limited periods, not as primary heating source, it's more efficient to direct the heat to warm people than space.
• All heating elements should have a safety guard.
• Turn it off when you leave the room
• Make sure your heater has a safety switch that shuts the space heater off when tipped over or over heats
• Place the heater on a level surface for stability.
• Use heaters that have timers
• Always keep portable electric heaters away from water and never touch an electric heater if you're wet

Don'ts

• Never operate a defective heater
• Never use a heater as a dryer by placing anything over it
• Never use in a bathroom or near a sink
• Never run the heater's cord (or any cord) under rugs or carpeting.
• Don't place the heater where children might play near it or where people might trip over or bump into it.
• Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water

Kids and Pets

• Let the kids know this is not a toy and it can get really hot
• Never leave children unattended near a space heater.
• Prevent pets from chewing cords.
• Make sure your cat (or small dog) isn't able to jump on the heater
• Make sure your cat or dog can't brush up against it, the heater could cause serious burns

You might consider blocking off the heater with free-standing baby gates to provide at least a visible barrier to kids and pets.
Have the following safety equipment available

• Chemical fire extinguisher
• Smoke detector in working order (check once a month and change batteries once a year.)
• Carbon monoxide detector

If you take the necessary safety precautions and remain watchful, you should be able to keep warm and toasty this winter without the risk of burning down your house.

A properly insulated attic can help you save energy and money. And with tax credits available, its a great incentive to start now. Learn how to do-it-yourself.

You may be seeing more companies advertising Geothermal Heating and Cooling systems and be asking yourself what is Geothermal Energy and why should I be interested in it? A Geothermal heating and cooling system is something that has been below the radar for many years due the impact it could have on the fossil fuel industry; but if you're interested in saving money and doing something good for the environment, a Geothermal Heating and Cooling system is worth doing some research on.

What is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal Energy is energy stored in the ground that we walk on every day. The ground absorbs the sun's energy everyday and stores it only a few feet below the surface. This energy can be extracted using a series of water pipe lines and then used to heat and cool your home all year round. Geothermal energy on large scale operations is very expensive to tap into through drilling and the ideal geographic areas are limited to supply large cities but systems to heat and cool individual homes have become more practical today than ever before. Due to the limitations Geothermal Energy has for large cities, it's extremely green energy benefits have been over shadowed by the usefulness of Wind Turbines and Solar panels but it's not to say your individual home can't get a lifetime of savings by choosing to install a system like this for your home.

Installing a Geothermal Heating and Cooling System
There are several different ways to install a Geothermal Heating and Cooling system, depending on several different factors. The first thing to consider is the amount of property you own and the second depends on if this system will be a retrofit for your home or something you are considering for a new construction. The most popular system installed in homes today is the Loop System. The Loop system consists of a series of trenches tug in your yard approximately six feet deep and 300 feet long. Obviously for a system like this that consists of anywhere between four to six lengths of pipe stretched 300 feet long requires you to own a piece of back yard free of any septic or well systems. Special underground piping is used to ensure the life of your geothermal system and it is connected to a pump system in your home to convert the water temperature to heat your home in the winter and remove the heat from your home
in the summer.

Does your home have an adequate water supply nearby in the form of a farm pond or lake that is at least 8 feet deep? A loop system can be submerged in the lake or pond with a single line trenched back to your home and circulated with water pumps to convert that energy into a green energy heating and cooling system.

Country homes that currently use a well system can take advantage with cost savings through geothermal heating and cooling by using an open loop system. This system requires a second well drilled near your current water supply. Water is drawn from your existing well to circulate through a heat transfer pump that converts the water's temperature into useful energy, then re-circulates the water back into the second well so your original well can draw it again to be continuously reused.

Pros and Cons of Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Pros
-The biggest pro of using Geothermal Energy is that it is renewable and as long as the water keeps circulating, the water will continue to draw and transfer energy.
-Geothermal energy reduces acid rain created by the burning of fossil fuels by 97%
-Geothermal energy will eliminate your heating and cooling expenses to only the expense of running a pump to circulate the water.
Cons
-Due to the expense of trenching water lines approximately six feet deep or drilling 500 feet deep with a vertical system, it could be a very high upfront expense of around $30 000.

Geothermal Energy can save your home thousands of dollars in energy expenses and have absolutely no harmful effects on our environment in form of fumes and damage caused by the use of traditional fossil fuels and gases

If you're like me you tend to view energy efficiency both in terms of monthly energy usage and cost; that is to say, the total amount of energy you use as well as the total amount of green stuff you fork out each year to heat and cool your home or office. So before rushing out to purchase the latest energy efficient appliance to heat or cool your home keep a few thoughts in mind:

The total amount you pay to heat or cool your home or office can be a lot more than just how much you pay for utilities. Consider other costs that are direct expenditures to you. These should be factored into estimates for your total yearly cost and may affect your year-end utility balance sheet.

Repair and maintenance costs should be high on the list of items you consider when purchasing that new HVAC system from a contractor. Sure that high efficiency unit has all the latest technology with its accompanying bells and whistles but has it been field proven yet? The literature states that there is a lifetime warranty for many components but will the heating contractor or manufacturer be around if something were to go wrong? Do they have a track record of honoring their labor warranties? One expensive repair out of warranty will cause the true efficiency, from a pocket book perspective, to go way down.

Initial installation cost factors large in pocket book efficiency. Today we have high efficiency boilers, wood burners, geothermal heat pumps, furnaces and more. Most of these boast efficiency ratings in the low 90's and up. So lets say you currently spend an average of 200 dollars per month for five months in the winter. If your current system performs at 60% efficient ratings you can anticipate a net energy gain of 30% if using a 90% efficient system. In terms of dollar savings, that comes out to approximately 300 dollars per year. Keep in mind energy costs are predicted to continue increasing so those savings would expand each year.

Now take a look at your initial installation investment. What will the payback time be? Are some heating solutions less expensive than others? Are some fuels less expensive than others? There are also many renewable energy sources available today. One such heat source, wood, has become very popular today and boasts some of the lowest installation as well as monthly costs. Since it is renewable it has the potential to be very eco-friendly as well, however, this form of heat requires more user involvement too.
There are a lot of trade-offs to consider when evaluating the different types of high efficiency heat but it is worth taking the time to choose the type that makes the most sense to you. There are bound to be perfect matches for your lifestyle. As in many areas of life, the least expensive choices usually require the most maintenance, but don't let this deter you from getting the most out of every btu and dollar used to heat or cool your home or office.

Newer furnaces may be more efficient but never let anyone fool you into thinking they are more reliable. They are certainly more reliable now then they were during the bleak years of high efficiency furnaces manufactured during the eighties, but there are still quite a few furnaces from the fifties and sixties chugging along out there; oh but those buggers were inefficient!

How many times have we heard how reliable grandpa's truck was? "You see, the steel was so much thicker back then, and the workers really cared about craftsmanship." That was of course before the days of electronics under the hood too. But as we know, things have all changed and that generation is no longer producing our manufactured goods.

Before we buy into this theory we should probably take a look at how many vehicles manufactured before 1980 made it to odometer readings of 300,000 miles. What I am suggesting is the theory that electronics and new manufacturing techniques have somehow caused the downfall in vehicle reliability may be slightly skewed. Does anyone remember the every two-year ritual of changing caps and points and rotors?

Of course the reliability factor is only part of the argument. Think about all of the cool features our new vehicles possess such as antilock breaks, air bags, and electronic fuel injection. But having said all this I am still standing by my first few sentences, mostly because the eighties were such a blight on the reliability of our manufactured goods.
But is it possible that the eighties might have an excuse? I believe they do. Every new technology has its learning curve. Think about how fast things were changing in the eighties. Remember the dreaded black box under the hoods of so many cars that failed? Well considering that this was cutting edge technology should it come as any surprise that many of these new technologies were a little unreliable? The same basic premise was also at work in the manufacturing of furnaces.

In the eighties most of the manufacturers were racing to develop high efficiency furnaces that integrated some form of electronically controlled ignition and onboard component control. Not only that, but new technologies were being invented in heat exchanger and venting design. The furnace that Grandpa had was quickly becoming a thing of the past and so also for a time was its reliability.

Where is all this going? My advice for homeowners that want to help lead a new technology revolution is to purchase all of the latest equipment coming down the assembly line. This will help innovative companies patent and manufacture new energy saving designs. My advice for homeowners that wish to have reliable equipment- wait a few years for the cutting edge stuff to get the bugs worked out. Some of course will choose to be brave and we should applaud them. Others will choose to be cautious and we should applaud them too.

An informative video on the benefits of geothermal heat pumps as an alternative heating and cooling solution. No more propane or oil burning in the winter, check out geothermal.

A properly insulated attic can help you save energy and money. And with tax credits available, its a great incentive to start now. Learn how to do-it-yourself.

Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos and more videos in the Energy and Resource Conservation category.

                       There has been an increase of filings for heating assistance.

With the winter season quickly approaching, now is the time to think about winterizing our homes against the cold winter weather. Most heat loss in our homes, is lost through the windows and doors of our homes. With these simple tips, your heat won't be going out the window anymore. Winterizing our homes can be done inexpensively and without much effort. It will cut down on high heating costs, and it will save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Windows
The first step to preparing you windows for winter is to replace all worn weather stripping, New weather stripping can be purchased at most stores, it is inexpensive and very easy to replace. To change the weatherstripping from a window, first remove the worn weatherstripping which is generally in the bottom lip of the window. Pull out the worn and weathered strip leaving the gap clean, ready to install the new weatherstrip. Vacuum away any debris that may have accumulated from removing the old strip. Measure the length needed from the new roll of weatherstripping, cut and remove paper coating. Insert stripping into the gap on window, pressing it firmly into place as you go. Once it adheres, close the window to push the weatherstripping fully into place.
The next thing that is needed to be done is to caulk all areas of the windows and sills where cracks are present or where you can feel a draft coming in. Follow the directions on the caulking package and apply the caulk as directed. Allow it to dry completely, it will take the caulk twenty-four hours to cure. Make sure caulk is completely cured before moving on to the next step.

Covering the windows with insulated plastic is the final step to winterizing them. Insulated plastic window kits can be purchased at local home improvement stores. The kits are affordable and contain enough plastic and two- way tape to cover approximately five average sized windows. The kits come in several different sizes, for small, medium and larger windows, and there are also kits for doors.

To prepare the window before covering, clean the molding around the window, and dry it well. When completely dry, apply the two-way tape along the entire outer edge of the window molding. Press it down firmly so that it sticks, then peel away the paper strip. Next place a pre-measured, pre-cut plastic sheet up against the two way tape, apply the plastic across the window as smoothly, evenly and as tightly as possible. Once the plastic is applied over the entire window, smooth out any creases or wrinkles that may be present. Once finished applying the plastic, use a blow dryer approximately 2 inches away from the plastic, slowly blow the heat back and forth over the plastic to remove any small creases or wrinkles. As the plastic heats it will shrink and tighten into place, creating an airtight seal on the window.

Your windows are now weather proofed for the long winter season, your home will be warmer, less drafty, and less expensive to heat.

Doors
To winterize your doors follow the same tips as for windows, caulk, change weatherstripping on inside of door jamb and at top and bottom of the door. Apply plastic only to doors you will not be using during the winter season, to prevent cold drafts. It is not recommended to cover entrance and exit doors with plastic. Caulking and re weatherstripping your doors will keep the cold air out and your heat in.
Once you have winterized your windows and doors, snuggle up and enjoy a warm, cozy winter.

Home heating and cooling systems are incredibly important for the home simply because of how much we rely on their temperature regulation. With that obvious statement said, people generally fail to give these aspects of their home much thought. They simply go through the motions and get the heating and cooling that they need for their home without thinking about how their system could be bettered.
There are multiple things that you are going to want to consider when thinking about heating for your home. Take the time to talk to those at heating and cooling service shops to understand more about your home heating system.

The Air Filter
You would be surprised to find out how many problems an unkempt air filter can cause. Those who fail to keep their air filters clean and changed will force their home heating system to work harder. The home will not be able to push hot air as easily, struggling to keep up with the needs of a home in colder temperatures.
You simply need to make sure that you check your filter once every month. Simply look at it to see how worn it is and estimate how much life it has left in it. Most are going to recommend that you change your filter once every three months. Everything from air exchangers, ultraviolet air cleaners, and electronic air cleaners should be checked.

Time
There are plenty of different thermostats that have time settings, allowing you to completely control the heat in your home. There is no need to keep the heat up when you are curled up in bed or when you are away at work. If you are heating your home be sure to use time settings.

Energy Efficiency
While you want to ensure that you have home comfort with the air circulating your home, you want it to be energy efficient. You need to consider various technologies like energy-efficient boilers and infrared heating. Technologies like these can lower fuel costs, helping to keep your budget safe during the winter months.

Upgrades
Certain furnaces and heat pumps are simply out of date, causing your home more harm than good. You need to look into newer forms of technology and various others methods of heating, including ground source heat, to ensure that your home is as efficient in heating as possible.

There are plenty of individuals who would be able to save money by looking at the heating in their home. There are plenty of households that have poor air quality and poor heating that could see more efficient heating in their home. Those who take the time to actually look at their heating systems will find that their house is warmer and more efficient while keeping costs down. Anyone who owns a home wants their heating systems to work. These are considerations you must take to ensure that you are heating your home in the right way.