With the Grain » heating

Not All Furnaces Are Alike

Jenn Greenleaf — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:28:36 +0000

Heat sources in winter states are as important as air conditioning in hot states. Without a reliable heat source, life is miserable and can be costly. In the case of furnaces, there are a number to choose from. Which is best depends on budget, preference, and the type of house you have (with a chimney or without).

Here are some information links about furnaces:

As you can see, not all furnaces are alike. It’s important to do your research so you know what to expect for heat (forced hot air, water, etc.), how often the furnace will run, what type of heating fuel is needed, and how much everything will cost (installation, electricity, fuel, etc.). There are a lot of factors to consider, but it’s much less overwhelming when all the information is in front of you.

Spring Furnace Maintenance

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:11:27 +0000

Spring is here! So, now it’s time for some routine maintenance on your furnace to ensure it operates efficiently during the next heating season. Here are some simple steps to follow:

Change out those air filters!
If there is a pilot, turn it off in order to prevent unnecessary gas consumption.
Clean the fan, and seal any ductwork that has become exposed.

If you are unsure if you’re able to complete these tasks on your own, your fuel delivery company will come in and run these maintenance checks and cleaning operations for you! Good luck!

It’s Natural to Have Gas

Jenn Greenleaf — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Okay, we’ve talked about pellet stoves and Monitor heaters so far. Now, let’s talk about heating with natural gas. If you’re living in a city where natural gas lines are already available, then you’re one step ahead in the game. However, if you’re like me and you live in the sticks, then you’ve got an expensive installation ahead of you.

Many consumers are raving about natural gas because they’ve noted how cost effective it is in comparison to other heating sources, as well as how efficient the heaters run. Here are some benefits to heating with natural gas:

“Using natural gas in place of other fuels can help ease a number of environmental concerns — greenhouse gas emissions, acid rain, smog, solid waste and water pollution. When natural gas is burned, it produces virtually no emissions of sulfur dioxide or particulate matter and far lower levels of “greenhouse” gases and nitrogen oxides than such competing sources of energy as oil and coal. In addition, unlike the oil, coal and nuclear processes, the natural gas process produces virtually no solid waste and has much less impact on water quality.” — Fueling the Future

Some consumers have also noted that the Rinnai heaters run most efficiently. Here is a web link with information in that regard: Rinnai Heater Specialist. There is also a good comparison chart here for those consumers comparing electric heat to gas heat.

Are You Blowing a Bunch of Hot Air?

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:41:00 +0000

Yesterday, we discussed pellet stoves, in addition to where consumers can either purchase them ore learn more about them. Today, Monitor heaters (or some other brand of choice) is the topic.

Ask yourself these questions: Do you need to update your heating system? Is it something from the stone age? Do you hear a strange noise or smell a strange smell each time your heat kicks on?

The fact is, if your heating system is outdated or too old to buy replacement parts for, you’re throwing a lot of money away. For those who are not interested in burning wood or pellets, Monitor heaters are a popular choice.

What are Monitor heaters?

“A monitor heater is an oil-fueled, forced-air home heating system that capitalizes on the principle that hot air rises. A monitor heater is usually situated in the basement or the downstairs level of a home, but not because it is unsightly; the monitor is actually a very attractive appliance. It resembles a large space heater, but the top houses a control panel on which one can find digital temperature settings, a clock, and of course, the on and off switch. There is also a feature that allows users to set the monitor heater to different temperatures for different times of the day or night.” — wiseGeek

Tomorrow, we’ll discuss heating with gas. As you can see from these posts, there are a large number of heating options based on preference and affordability. Some of these choices are made for the consumer already (like, for example, if your home doesn’t have a chimney or a natural gas line, you will have to make many installation changes before your heating system will be ready), but that does not mean the consumer can’t make changes if it is in their budget.

Pellet Stove Poplularity on the Rise

Jenn Greenleaf — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:44:00 +0000

With fuel costs rising the way they are, home heating is on the tip of everyone’s minds as the winter season quickly approaches. In some parts of the country, snow is already flying and the need for heat is already a reality. What kinds of alternatives are there for home owners beyond the use of furnaces? Pellet stoves are piquing the interest of many homeowners because they burn efficiently, and they are affordable by comparison.

This home improvement will help give homeowners more bang for their buck throughout the heating season. Here are some links providing additional product and buying information about pellets and pellet stoves:

Some of the more popular brand choices are already becoming difficult to find in states such as New Hampshire and Rhode Island because consumers are buying them up so quickly. It was noted on a Maine newscast last summer that pallets of pellets were already selling out in many retail locations. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss Monitor Heaters and how efficiently they heat homes.