Category — Heating & Air

Heat pumps are very expensive, high-tech pieces of equipment — and for that reason it is not advisable for homeowners to try to perform maintenance or do troubleshooting on their unit; normally they will not have the training or specialized equipment to do this.

But it is possible for homeowners to keep an eye out for potential problems, and there are a few simple tasks that you can perform on your own:

One good thing you can do is to try and keep any and all air filters on your heat pump clean. If they are of the disposable type, you can try to order a few extras to keep on hand — then replace them when needed. If your air filter is the washable kind, then you can simply rinse under the water faucet to clean. During the heating and cooling season your air filters should be cleaned/replaced at least every other month — more often if you live in a very dirty environment!

If you can get easy access to the fan blades, it would be helpful if you could gently clean them now and then. If you remove any accumulations of dust and dirt from the blades of your fan, that will help your heat pump unit operate more efficiently.

While you don’t want to go poking around in your heat pump, you should occasionally look them over — and if you notice any loose wiring, or mounting screws that seem to be working loose, or any cracked or broken circuit boards, you should make a note of this and call your repair service immediately.

While it is normal for heat pump units to experience a certain amount of ice buildup, if you see that your heat pump is building up ice and it is not melted away, but stays on the equipment all the time, this could indicate a problem, so you should again contact your repair service.

Likewise, if you notice severe or extensive rusting on the outside cabinetry of your unit, you should contact your dealer. In some cases you may be able to treat this rust or corrosion your self — but you should contact them anyway to make sure that this is not indicative of a larger problem.

Another thing you should be on the lookout for is if your heat pump constantly trips your circuit breaker box or blows household electrical circuit fuses. While you do not have the skill and equipment to troubleshoot this problem, your installer can come out at once and do an evaluation to make sure that any problems are taken care of.

Lastly, you should be on the lookout for any decline in the overall operational efficiency of your heat pump. If your heating/cooling costs seem to be climbing, or you are not as comfortable in your home as you were in the past, it may be due to a developing problem with your heat pump — but once again, only a qualified repair technician can determine the exact nature of any problems.

Remember, although you cannot do heat pump repairs yourself, you nevertheless have an important role to play — precisely because your dealer can’t be everywhere at one time. You must be their extra eyes and ears and keep a careful watch out for potential problems.

There are few people who live in a place where air conditioning is not needed at some time of the year, and invariably in the summer. If you live in a place where the temperatures rise substantially in summer, and especially if there is high humidity too, an air conditioner is absolutely essential. But what type of air conditioner to choose? Really there are just two types of air conditioner: the fixed unit and the portable unit. This article will look at these two types and discuss some of the considerations that need to be taken when buying an air conditioner.

One of the most common type of unit is the fixed type, which is installed in a window or on a wall. This will have vents on the outside of the building and will pull in air from the outside, cool it and sometimes remove humidity too, and then send it out into the room. The fixed type is a very efficient air conditioner, and the more expensive models enable you to control the temperature to a high degree. Usually this type of air conditioner is provided with a remote control unit in order to operate the unit from the comfort of your chair if need be.

The portable models have improved greatly over the past few years, and in some cases can provide air conditioning that is on a par with fixed units. However the cooling is not usually as good as fixed unit, and the portable models are usually better used in rooms that are on the small side and perhaps not used regularly and therefore do not need a permanently fixed air conditioning unit.

It also needs to be remembered that one of the main functions of air conditioning is not only to simply cool the air but also to remove moisture from it. In short a good air conditioning unit will have a dehumidifier as part of it. This is essential for humid parts of the country, since high humidity can make the heat seem much higher than it actually is. Air conditioners with dehumidifiers are covered in more detail at http://www.airconditionerroom.com

In conclusion, the main decision that needs to be made is how often the room is used, and whether there is a need for a fixed unit or whether a portable unit will suffice, and then whether there is also a need for a dehumidifier. Once these decisions have been made it is a simple matter of choosing a good air conditioner from the many models now available.

A condensing boiler is a home heating system that is designed to recoup energy that conventional furnaces and boilers lose. Most houses have small pipes that discharge excess heat out through the roof – they often look like small chimneys. Condensing boilers capture this excess energy and put it to use. The reason for the name is that a condensing boiler literally condenses the water vapor produced by the consumption of gas or oil in the boiler condenses back into water. This condensation, in turn, allows the latent heat involved in the vaporization of the water to be used usefully in heating your home.

As of 2007, condensing boilers are now often replacing “conventional” systems in Europe. The Netherlands led the way, but now other nations, particularly those with aggressive “green” goals or high fuel costs, have also joined the rush toward the use of condensing boilers. In the United States there has been a more recent serious look at these furnaces on a large scale, particularly as gas and oil prices have skyrocketed.

So, what would the conversion to a condensing boiler system mean to your home? First the scientific explanation: A condensing boiler achieves up to 98% thermal energy efficiency. The system you have now, assuming it’s a conventional system, probably only has about 70%-80% efficiency. What does that mean for your bill? You could see a difference of between 30-40% on your home heating bill by installing these systems. And all the while you will be reducing you and your family’s “carbon footprint”, helping reduce problems such as reliance on foreign oil and global warming.

In order to get the maximum benefit from a condensing boiler, a precise control system should be installed. A basic room thermostat will not be enough to ensure you are saving money and reducing emissions. A better method, for example, is to use an outdoor weather sensor to enable the boiler to heat the home only to the temperature needed. This and other controls can also signal the boiler when to run in the “condensing” mode.

Right now, condensing boilers are up to 50% more expensive to buy and install than conventional types of furnaces and boilers. However, state and federal grants and rebates might help offset that additional cost. Even so, the extra cost of installing a condensing boiler could be recovered in about 2-5 years at US 2007 oil and gas prices. Of course, this depends on the climate where you live, but it’s a given that after a relatively short period of time, your condensing boiler will be saving you money every day you heat your home!

There are many reasons to choose a portable air conditioner. Firstly, the versatility of the portable air conditioner out weighs the stationary air conditioner by far. This means that you can move the portable unit to where you need it most; portable units have wheels and are not too large to move. This is a great advantage over stationery units as the portable unit is compact and contained in one unit and very easily moved from place to place.

These versatile and convenient units can be used to cool homes and offices, they can also be used to cool small enclosed spaces such as a computer server room, boats, garages and workshops and more. The portable unit is handy for temporary cooling needs, allowing you to work and live in a comfortable environment.

The setup of these portable units are easy, they require a power supply and a way to vent hot air from the motor. The power supply is a normal plug fitting, so placing and moving portable air conditioning units is not a problem. These units are usually situated against the wall or in the corner of the work or living space.

The portable air conditioning unit uses Freon to cool the air, and then the air is directed back into the room. The motor of the unit requires ventilation which is usually an adjustable hose to siphon the hot air away from the room that is being cooled. Condensation is created during the cooling process and most portable units must be drained of the water- this can be achieved by attaching a drain hose, or by physically emptying the reservoir.

If you are thinking of hiring or purchasing a portable air conditioner unit, consider getting top advice and information from a reputable air conditioning company. You will be able to get information on the type of unit which will most appropriately suit your individual needs. These professionals will also be able to help you with measurements and what size unit will be best for your area. There are a number of considerations which will affect your choice of portable unit, namely the size of the area to be cooled, whether there are electronics in the area, how many people occupy this space, windows and insulation. So, if you think you may need an air conditioning unit, get expert advice and top products from leading air conditioning companies.

With portable air conditioning units there are also a number of options available to you, some operate with remote control, others can operate as a dehumidifier and a heater too. We recommend you get professional advice from air conditioning experts to ensure you receive optimum air conditioning and a comfortable environment.

Arguably since the 1950s, the ceiling fan has been a staple of every home, even though the likes of the air conditioning system have replaced it in recent years for no apparent reason other than technological innovation and novelty value. However, the contemporary ceiling fan is making a bit of a comeback at the moment. It has been modified and brought up to date with manufacturers that are making the most of the environmental concern of society at the moment.

Contemporary ceiling fans are more sophisticated than ever before. They have been updated to fit in with modern décor so that they appeal to homeowners today and will continue to do so well into the future. Some have a sleek and stylish look that is both pleasing to the eye and able to fit in with a whole range of décor themes, including the minimalist style that is so difficult to buy for. Most contemporary ceiling fans also have lights incorporated so that they kill two birds with one stone. You do not have to find room for a light as well as a fan and that ultimately looks better than overcrowding your ceiling too.

Contemporary ceiling fans come in a variety of colours so that you can choose the one that reflects you best. Traditional ones only tended to come in one or two colours and you had to make do with that but now you can choose pillar box red if you so wish! It truly is a consumer market!

Contemporary ceiling fans also fit into the modern home because of the sheer convenience of use! They fit in well with other home appliances because of the remote that comes with them! You can actually sit in a chair watching TV and switch your ceiling fan on or off, or even change the temperature settings. You have no need to move any muscle except for the one in your finger! Traditional fans had a switch on the wall or a pull mechanism, but it was difficult to alter the speed or temperature settings. The remote therefore gives better accessibility and functionality for everyday use. The only thing that you should be concerned about is getting that remote confused with the one for the TV or DVD player! The convenience is truly amazing and is just what consumers want in a hectic and stressful world!

The contemporary ceiling fan is undoubtedly one of the most popular features of any house at the moment. They are readily available for householders to buy and are so easy to work that there is no excuse not to have one installed. It can really add character to your home as well as comfort that very few other features can afford you.

In the past, conservatories have been notoriously difficult to heat effectively. The greenhouse effect during summer months can produce almost unbearable temperatures, whilst cold winter days can result in ice-cold tiling. This vast contrast in temperature is a major reason why some conservatories are underused, particularly in winter. An effective heating system is therefore essential if a conservatory is to be enjoyed throughout the year by all the family.

Total (primary) heating a conservatory has traditionally involved hiring a plumber, extending piping and then attaining any relevant permission to perform the task. However, this option is generally too expensive and impractical, not to mention time consuming. Extending plumbing into a conservatory to facilitate radiators can put great strain on household boilers as they often struggle to cope with the extra heating demand. What’s more, heating a conservatory using this method involves heating the entire home!

It is these reasons why many people prefer freestanding heaters, which are affordable and easily installed. But freestanding heaters also pose problems of their own; they restrict the amount of space available and do not effectively solve the problem of cold tiling, still making the conservatory uncomfortable to be in. In summer, when heat is not always a necessity, freestanding heaters are either left to gather dust, or must be stored elsewhere. And when in use they can create hot and stuffy atmospheres that are unpleasant for people within the conservatory.

This is why electric underfloor heating is fast becoming the heating system of choice for conservatories. Not just a trendy household accessory, underfloor heating is low maintenance, affordable and effective at heating conservatories from the ground up, so the warmth is on the floor and not at ceiling level where you can’t feel it.

Unlike radiators or freestanding heaters, underfloor heating systems distribute heat evenly across the floor thereby solving the problem of cold tiles. As the heat naturally rises a cold conservatory will become comfortably heated throughout. Conservatory owners can then adjust the temperature as they see fit via a small, attractive wall-mounted controller.

In addition to this, underfloor heating has the potential to make a room up to 5% larger, since radiators and bulky freestanding heaters are not required. As a result, there are no limits to where you place your furniture, creating all kinds of interesting interior design opportunities.

Electric underfloor heating in conservatories can also be operated independently of your existing household central heating system so conservatories only need to be heated when necessary, providing a more efficient and cost-effective method of heating additional household rooms.

The ease of installation and ability to control temperature at the touch of a button has made underfloor heating a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts. With a wide range of mats, cables and controllers available, the equipment for heating your own conservatory can be purchased quickly and safely over the Internet.