Florence Gasket asked:


Central heating plays a major role in the daily lives of millions of people around the world. When autumn ushers in every year and the scarves and coats start to fill the streets, it is also time to switch those heaters on. One of the central heating approaches that have become quite popular these days is central gas heating. In order to understand central gas heating, it is first necessary to take a look at central heating in general. What does it mean? How is it carried out?

Defining Central Heating

Central heating, in simple terms, means heating from one central source. Its objective is to provide warmth to the interiors of an entire house or building. It can also be available to just a room in a building, usually originating from one point. Central heating should not be confused with local heating. There are different types of central heating systems, and you can tailor the system to what suits your needs the best. If everything is working correctly, it should be able to turn itself on and off automatically, use no more fuel than necessary, and have the house at the ideal temperature.

Central Heating Methods

In most of Northern Europe, where people seldom use air-conditioning systems due to the cold climate, houses come with central heating installed. They normally use water circulation, hydronic, steam and gas heating systems.

Water circulation heating involves the use of a boiler that heats water in a confined water

container, a pump that circulates water in the closed system and radiators to release heat into the rooms. In the UK and in other parts of Europe, engineers combine the needs of room heating and hot water heating and storage.

Hydronic and steam system.

A hydronic system uses a boiler to heat up hot water and a pump to circulate hot water through plastic pipes installed in a concrete slab. The steam system follows the same principle, except that steam is used instead of water.

Central gas heating.

Gas heating uses a device to heat an area by burning natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. With this system, there is really no need for any refilling, the gas company directly supplies fuel into residential houses or commercial buildings.

One of the most common types of gas heating is the use of natural gas. Natural gas, used in major central gas heating systems, is one of the cheapest forms of energy available to the residential consumer. High efficiency natural gas furnaces and boilers provide more useable heat than conventional heating equipment. For example, the latest natural gas heaters can heat twice as much water per hour than electric models. Also, recovery rates are three times faster, so they can handle extremely high loads. This means more hot water in less time, using less energy. Natural gas has grown to such levels of popularity because of the tremendous amount of energy savings and instant convenience that it can provide to residential and commercial consumers.



Furnace Repair Maryland

Clint Jhonson asked:


Residential homes use natural gas for cooking, operating clothes dryers, central heating during winter and cooling during summer. In commercial and other industrial purposes, natural gas is used in furnaces, boilers and in water heaters. In agriculture, natural gas is used in production of fertilizers. The list is getting longer and longer. That is why demand for natural gas is constantly rising. And that is why demand for pipeline natural gas is also on the rise. Pipeline gas is one of the most important products of the modern times.

For ordinary people, it is enough that there is natural gas available for various purposes. But for a rising number of some, there is definitely a need to further understand how pipeline natural gas is being useful. Understanding all about pipeline gas is like knowing the basic and main framework of natural gas supplies.

The understanding should begin in natural gas fields. Usually, fossil deposits are the main sources of natural gas. Thus, the gas is often a by-product of petroleum production. In other countries, they used to burn the produced natural gas, but since technologists identified the use of such gases for industries and homes, natural gas is now considered as equally important product.

How did pipeline natural gas production emerge? Basically, from gas fields, there has always been a problem transporting the natural gas to receiving terminals that take care of distribution to households and consumers. Storage and transport has always been an important and main concern among natural gas producers. Liquefied natural gas carriers are transports that facilitate transport offshore or at greater distances. Moreover, tank trucks provide transport in land. For quite some time, the transports effectively helped distribute and move natural gas. But because of the rapidly rising demand, such methods are not enough.

Aside from that, the transports prove to be non profitable because they are too costly. And on top of that, such transports are too risky. Thus, pipeline gas emerged. Through pipeline natural gas facilities, the gas is now transported and moved through pipes. However, there is a need to construct and put up long and massive pipes so as to effectively and safely transport pipeline gas.

Pipeline natural gas is currently the single most effective way in transporting and moving pipeline gas. Without pipeline natural gas, it is hard to imagine how natural gas can be made available to residential and industrial centers nowadays. Not all states have natural gas facilities. Through gas pipelines, those states that do not have such gas fields are now provided access to pipeline gas supplies.



Heat Pump Repair

Daniel Millions asked:


Just about everyone is dealing with rising heat costs. The price of fuel is going sky high. We are seeing the prices rise at the gas pump and in our home fuel costs. Many people are looking to save money with their gas and electricity usage.

Using gas to heat your home has many benefits. Homes that are heated with natural gas feel quite warm and free from any drafts. On an extremely cold day, you can rely on your gas furnace to more than adequately heat your home and keep your family quite comfortable. Gas furnaces use less energy to heat your home in new homes, as these homes are built to be energy efficient. Many families are quite pleased using gas to heat their homes.

When electricity creates heat, it creates just about 100% of the energy from the electricity into heat. Electric heat has a reputation for being more expensive than traditional gas heat or propane. Electric heat is used in hot climates where there are very few days of the year where you do wind up heating your home. Therefore, while it costs more to heat your home, the homeowner does not suffer as a result.

Whichever type of heat source your family selects, you can always save more money with conscious effort. By being proactive and becoming an involved consumer, any homeowner can work to reduce their home heating bills. A gas and electricity comparison only works when one considers which type of these heat sources would be best for your family. There are always different variables with every family that must be considered.

A great way to save money can often be to do some comparison shopping. Those who have never used another energy company may be missing out on great savings. Do some cost comparisons with local gas and electricity companies to see which would be best for your usage needs. Every family has different needs and different parts of the country will require different gas or electricity at different times.

Switching your billing to online billing can also save you money. This will also be much more convenient and save you a great deal of time. Most gas and electricity companies offer online billing. Ask your gas or electricity provider for more details.

A great way to save money can be to simply turn your thermostat down by a few degrees. Just two or three degrees can add up to real dollars in your pocket by the end of the month. Adjust your thermostat slowly so your family will get used to the new setting over time. Most families don’t even notice a difference of two to three degrees. You will however, notice it when it comes time to pay your heating bill.

Every homeowner should check their home for possible “holes” that are letting out heat or air-conditioning. Windows or doors that don’t close properly, rooms that aren’t insulated enough and other potential “holes” cost you money each and every month. Think first of places in your home that seem drafty, as these could be areas that have “holes.”

Help can be available for needy families to help pay their heating bills. The federal government provides assistance to help families that need extra help heating their homes or paying their electric bills. Check with your local office regarding qualifying statistics.

The price to heat homes is a challenge that many people face today. Fortunately, we do have some control over the cost of this expenditure. By doing some research and learning which opportunity is best for you, your family can choose gas or electricity to heat your home efficiently and affordably.



Gas Furnace Maintenance

Jason Michaels asked:


There are sources of alternative energy that are possible for all of us to use in today’s world. As the cost of gas continues to rise, many of us are digging for answers about how we can avoid going to the gas pumps as often. Even at home, we’re trying to think of every single way that we can lower our monthly energy bills.

Well, have I got the solution for you. Did you know that you could power your vehicle just on water without using gasoline at all? By separating water through electrolysis, you can use hydrogen power to fuel your automobile- this includes SUV’s, trucks, boats, and even big rigs. You can use water to power many of your household items as well!

The idea of using hydrogen as an energy source has been around for nearly a century. Until the “water-hybrid system” was invented, the energy input needed to complete the process was greater than the energy that was produced from it. As you may have noticed, many countries are spending alot of money on R&D and production of vehicles powered by hydrogen. However, adopting a water-hybrid system on your vehicle means you do not have to go fill up with hydrogen gas. All you have to do is fill it up with water when the tank gets low.

Being a resource economics major, I am interested in alternative methods of producing energy. I have looked at many different systems, but, and found that Drive Water had the best system. It’s a conversion system- meaning it does not require the modification, removal, or disabling of any of your vehicles’ existing systems. All you have to do is follow the blueprints in the ebook and you’ll have a efficient water-hybrid system in no time!

The benefits of using a water-hybrid conversion system are:

*You do not need to purchase a brand new vehicle in order to benefit from the power of hydrogen as a source of energy.

*You do not have to keep going to the pumps any longer. Water-hybrids only use hydrogen from water to run your automobile so you can forget about gasoline.

*You can install the kit yourself or have an electrically or mechanically savvy friend assist you with it.

*With the Drive Water conversion kit, you can also power many of your household appliances on water including furnaces, heating fans, stoves, and BBQ grills.

*Get results fast with a small investment and break-even in only a few short months.

*Stop polluting the atmosphere and contributing to global warming and actually help clean the air while you drive!

*Move on with your life without having to worry about gas prices.

You man be asking yourself: “Why doesn’t the government make this type of system REQUIRED on all vehicles? Well, it’s because they can’t profit from it! Rather, they contribute the production of fuel cell and hybrid vehicles and make you pay a high price for them. The truth of the matter is- this is the best opportunity we have on an individual level to end our dependence on oil, so do not be afraid to check it out. Don’t let gas prices control your life- get the water-hybrid conversion kit today!



Gas Furnace Repair

Ed Bishop asked:


Sometimes the new furnace performs no better than the one it replaced.

Issues such as comfort and inferior indoor air quality still exist in their home.

The reason for the disappointing results is the heating contractor fails to recognize that a furnace is only one part of a heating system.

Other components of the “system” include ductwork, air registers, air filters and thermostat.

Some contractors install a new furnace with the same heating capacity as the old.

This can be a big mistake especially if new windows have been installed or insulation added to the home after the original furnace was installed.

You’ll end up with a furnace that is oversized for the house. Oversized furnaces are less efficient and have short run cycles that lead to discomfort with large room temperature variations.

High efficiency furnaces that are attached to poorly designed or leaky duct systems never come close to their rated efficiency.

Installing high efficient air filters that restrict air flow not only affect the efficiency but will not deliver the available heat output of the heating appliance.

A furnace is not like a refrigerator that all you have to do is plug it in.

It’s part of a system that depends on other parts.

How To Get The Full Benefits Of A High Efficiency Furnace

1.) Insist that the heating contractor do a heat loss calculation of your home using the industry standard Manual J to specify the right size furnace.

2.) Have the contractor perform a static pressure test on the duct system. A good HVAC company will do this on the initial sales call as well as after the furnace replacement. Doing this helps the contractor evaluate your duct system and avoid all of the problems associated with inferior furnace replacements.

3.) Make sealing the ducts part of the process, its well worth the small extra cost.

4.) Ask the heating company about two-stage or modulating gas valve options for increased comfort levels.

5.) If the salesperson balks at these requests, find another company.

Abiding by these suggestions may increase your upfront costs but will save you month after month and year after year.

One of our customers said it best:

“A low price always costs more in the long run.”



Gas Furnace Maintenance Virginia

Sushmita Gupta asked:


Wood furnace is also known as a coal fired furnace that burns wood or coal in a sealed firebox to heat an exchanger.

Wood furnace usually sits outdoor. It looks much like a small utility building is firewood, water coated stove. The water in the covering is heated and pumped underground through insulated pipes to the building that needs to be heated and at this point the heat from the water is extracted. This process is cheap and it can adapt easily to all heating system. The outdoor wood furnace is very simple, effective, and safe and cost efficient.

And as a bonus, it also takes cares of all your domestic hot water needs; the element in your hot heater never kicks in. There are also some wood furnace models that fit inside the shop or woodshed. The basic components of a wood furnace included the cabinet or jacket, firebox, blower, access doors for stroking and cleaning and small blower to fan the fire when more heat is needed. Electric air cleaner, air performance media filter, humidifier, evaporator coil for central air and a coil to make domestic water are some of the accessories used in wood furnace.

Sometimes you might need a condensate pump that you will used to dispose of the water produced by the dehumidifying action of air conditioning. Extra precautions must be taken with regards to air conditioning, evaporating coil as well as duct works clearance from combustibles due to high temperature in the supply plenum. You should always be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendation. A combination of wood furnace will contain an oil or gas burner as a backup.

The proper sizing of a wood furnace is very important for comfort and performance but the output and blower size should not be guessed at but it should be professionally calculated. The air distribution is also critical and just as involved as any central heating system, if not more so because of building code requirements. If your system is not correct, the accessories will not work properly either. The humidifier, air filter, air purifier and central cooling should match the system and will not accomplish their task if the furnace is too big.

Wood furnaces is used to save a home and business owner valuable money in heating cost because wood furnaces is a great heating method if they are use in a safe way. Outdoor wood furnace is safer than an in home wood heater. It has been also distinguished that outdoor wood furnace is likely to burn more efficiently than indoor wood stoves. There are still many individuals who are happier with the money they are saving in their indoor wood stove, however with more efficient burning an outdoor wood furnace could conserve even more money and efficient burning also means that you will not have to feed wood into the fire many times a day.

It depends on the type of wood furnace model you have, the exact amount you have to put in it but many outdoor wood furnace models only need wood once a day. Using an outdoor wood furnace is more convenient because you can put it beside the wood file, less worries of bringing woods inside your home which eliminates the mess of bugs; ash, saw dust, and dirt in the house. Outdoor wood furnace is cost savings too; there is no more need to use gas or electricity to heat domestic water, hot tubs because it will do it better at a lower cost compare in using an indoor wood furnaces.



Furnace Service

Alan Jacobson asked:


Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), often called geothermal heat pumps, tap into the heat naturally generated many meters below the surface of the earth. Just a little ways down, the earth’s temperature is warm and relatively stable, so these systems can bring controllable and effective heating, cooling, and hot water to residential and commercial buildings. Best of all, they allow people to do all this without having to use expensive and carbon-producing fossil fuels such as oil and gas.

There are two types of ground source heat pump systems: those with closed loops and those with open loops. In closed loop systems, liquid (usually with some sort of antifreezing/antiboiling agent mixed in) circulates through pipes buried beneath the earth’s surface. During the winter, when the goal is warming a house, the fluid absorbs heat from the earth and carries back to the building. This very hot liquid can be effectively used to heat a home, and also quite obviously becomes a free-flowing source of useable hot water. During the summer, the system is designed to actually draw heat out of the building, and either use it to heat water for household use or deliver it back into the ground. Open looped systems are similar, except that the water supply within the pipes is continually refreshed.

The bulk of geothermal (GSHP) systems are the pipes that are buried far underground, so what is needed in your home is a unit likely no bigger than your current hot water heater and furnace. If you currently use oil, you may be able to get rid of or at least substantially downsize the size of your oil tank. Many people worry about the longevity and upkeep costs of this type of system because the bulk of the cost goes into burying the pipe underground. Recently however many companies have been offering 40-75 year warranties on the parts of the system that is buried.

If you already have a forced air oil or gas-fed furnace system it may be easy for you to convert to what is called a “dual system”. In this case you would choose which heating and cooling system would be primary at any particular time - most likely the geothermal system - and the other system will only work when needed, such as during an extremely cold spell in the winter.

GSHPs are quiet and safe. There are no exposed parts, fans, storage tanks, etc. that can hurt kids or pets. Nothing is burned so there is no flame. The heating source is the earth so there is nothing to wear out. They are also quiet because the earth is doing the work of the motors in your current furnace.

The initial cost for ground source heat pumps is greater than that of a conventional oil or gas system. However, that initial cost is often made up in three to six years depending on the cost of fuel and the temperature in your area. The greatest benefit of these systems is that you no longer have to use oil or gas at all, so not only are you not subject to the price fluctuations and uncertainty of these fuels, but you also reduce your own “carbon footprint” in the process.

Ground source systems are easy to install, particularly when they are replacing another forced-air system. In this case it is as simple as a retrofit after the pipes are placed. However, they can also be installed to completely replace the system you already have. If you don’t already have central air conditioning, that can be an automatic and immediate benefit of these systems. Contact an experienced installer and he or she can tell you exactly what would be involved in installing a geothermal heat pump in your home.



Heating Repair

David Karlson asked:


Imagine at the touch of a button a soothing fire to keep you warm and add atmosphere to any room in your home.  Gas fireplace inserts provide these comforts and much more.  They will provide heat to your space that you and your family spend the most time in.   These inserts convert a drafty old fireplace into an efficient heat source for your home.

A family room is the ideal space for gas fireplace inserts.  They come in many different styles to match any décor that you may have in your home.  From a traditional fire place with a mantel to a modern design that is sleek and contemporary you will find gas fireplace inserts to be a welcome addition to any room.  They can be installed within existing traditional fire places or can come direct to you from the factory. 

Gas fireplace inserts provide both radiant and convection heat to your space.   They can be operated either manually or remotely using a wall thermostat and a remote thermostat transmitter.  The flame characteristics of gas fireplace inserts are that they are very consistent.    They are usually designed to give the look of partially burned logs or coals made out of ceramic.  Gas flames rise up through the logs to replicate the look and feel of a wood fire.  The fire can be adjusted to meet the desired heat output or visual mood you wish to achieve.

Gas fireplace inserts require annual maintenance by qualified technicians.  Your local dealer will be able to assist you in this task.  Other then cleaning the glass as needed and changing the batteries in the remote you will be able to enjoy a warm fire with little maintenance!

Gas fireplace inserts will provide many years of comfort and warmth to your home.  They can be used everyday, not just for special occasions.  They will enable you to turn down the thermostat on your furnace and conserve energy by only heating the space that is being used by you and your family.



Gas Furnace Maintenance

Jayesh Bagde asked:


Natural gas heaters are a great heat sources for warming garages and take up very little space.

The single gas heaters can warm up to 550 square feet or 2 car garage. They offer clean and efficient source of heat. They are compact, lightweight and space saving units. They are ceiling or wall mounted with thermostat or manual control.

They can operate even during power failures. They are easy to install devices. Most of them do require ventilation or a chimney. They come in models of 25,000 BTU/hour to 40,000 BTU/hour. They get fuel from the natural line of gas at home like LP.

They come in two types: forced air and the infrared ray. Forced air models use blue flame to warm the garage. It is similar to blowing air like a conventional furnace. The downside of this is they stir up sawdust. It usually takes longer to reheat these models. It requires 45,000 BTU to heat a two- to 2-1/2 car garage, and 60,000 for a three-car garage.

It can be installed in the corner, near a gas line and an electrical outlet (needed to power the blower). They are less expensive compared to infrared models.

On the other hand, infrared ray models warm the floor and objects first before heating air. The objects heat the air. These are low intensity infrared heaters. It can heat a two- to 2-1/2 car garage with 30,000 BTU, and for a three-car garage, 50,000 BTU is suggested.

Infrared heaters should be installed a minimum of 7 ft. above the floor. It should also hang down a minimum of 4 in. from the ceiling. Infrared models are more expensive than forced air types.

Advantages of Natural Gas Garage Heaters

•They are self contained heat producers and need no boiler.

•There is abundant fuel supply.

•There is no need for electricity supply.

Disadvantages of Natural Gas Heaters

•When using propane gas or natural gas, it gives off a byproduct from the fossil fuels.

•It is risky if it is a DIY installation wherein a chance of gas leak is there.

•These heaters are not portable. They remain where they are installed.

•The effect of the natural gas price instability

Hot water heaters

They are also known as steam unit heaters. They transfer heat from the hot water to the air. It is more efficient when it is forced by a fan. The hot water flows thru a radiator coil blown by the fan. Heat is absorbed by the air and warms the temperature.

They come in two models: the vertical and horizontal type. Vertical units placed in the ceiling blows warm air down space. They are usually used in larger spaces. Horizontal units are placed along walls and blow air. They are usually used in smaller spaces like garages.

Benefits of fan forced hot water unit heaters in garages or workshops:

•There are no odors and no byproducts of combustion.

•Easy to maintain.

•Horizontal units have adjustable louvers to help direct warm air

•Durable with corrosion resistant paints

•Compact and lightweight for simple installation.

•The fan is an air circulator during summer.

Drawbacks of fan forced hot water unit heaters in garages:

•If there’s failure, water can freeze in the garage.

•A home boiler system is mandatory.

•Hot water piping is required to make water flow from boiler to heater.

•More complex controls because of heater and boiler

•Fan forced units move large volumes of air which can kick up dust.



Furnace Repair

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Due to an increase in the public awareness concerning the home risk of radon exposure, radon gas testing has gained popularity on a very extended basis. Once people learn what radon really is, and how dangerous it can be for one’s health, efforts to ensure proper safety measures are immediately made. One should not try to guess the risk level for radioactive particles accumulation without performing radon gas testing; there are several ways to perform the tests: either by turning to a professional team or by using one of the many home test kits available in hardware stores. In case you go for the first solution, results will be provided immediately.

However, individual radon gas testing requires the assistance of an authorized lab for the investigation and analysis of the tests. Radon gas testing is usually recommended for any home below the third floor; and if you are a house owner, then the best tests are the short term ones. This type of testing is usually favored since gas levels inside the house can change on a day-to-day basis. The cold periods of the year are usually marked by radon accumulation due to the use of furnaces, fireplaces and the fact that people usually keep their doors and windows closed. Hence, short-term radon gas testing kits are the most reliable and quickest to use.

Depending on the type of device you purchase, the minimum kit exposure period can vary from two to ninety days; obviously, you’ll be interested in the equipment that can provide the faster results. Nevertheless, one thing should be made clear: devices that require a longer period of time for radon gas testing are very often the more reliable. The explanation is very simple here: radon levels tend to vary from one day to the other, depending on the season and on a whole range of factors. Therefore, what you’ll get will be an average value of the gas level.

Short-term radon gas testing requires some special care in order to make sure that you get the maximum result accuracy. Thus, it is advisable that you keep all windows and doors closed for at least twelve hours before starting the test and for other two or three days more once you install the kit in the lowest lived-in area of the house. Radon gas testing is not reliable when performed during stormy days or when the wind blows very hard; hence, have a look at the weather forecast for the coming days before starting the test as such.



Gas Furnace Repair Virginia