Hydronic
Heating System (Hot Water Baseboard) (Boiler Heat)
Hydronic heating
maintains comfort in your home with hot water
circulating to every room. The system basically consists
of a boiler, pump and baseboards connected by water
piping. The boiler heats water to temperatures between
120º and 210º, and the water is then pumped through
the piping in the baseboards located around the outer
perimeter of the home for a curtain of warmth, or in the
floor in radiant systems. In Alaska most boilers are set
to 180º.
Benefits
1. Can be zoned for better even heat.
2. Allows for domestic hot water heating off the boiler.
3. Efficiency- Not only are new boilers efficient, but water is a better conductor of heat. It's easy to
build a heat battery.
4. Longevity
Drawbacks
1. Higher initial upfront cost.
2. Requires a bit more maintenance. However, proper design can minimize repairs.
Radiant
Heating
Radiant systems are
special composite plastic piping systems embedded in
the floor. The energy from the heated water in the
pipes radiates to the surrounding environment, warming
the floors, furniture, and anyone in the room. Cold
tile floors become warm and inviting, and they provide
maximum decorating versatility – you never have to
worry about where to put furniture.
Benefits
1. Can be zoned for better even heat.
2. Allows for domestic hot water heating off the boiler.
3. Efficiency- Not only are new boilers efficient, but water is a better conductor of heat. It's easy to
build a heat battery.
4. Longevity
Drawbacks
1. Higher initial upfront cost.
2. Requires a bit more maintenance. However, proper design can minimize repairs.
Forced
Air Heating
In a Forced Air Furnace
system,
air is used to conduct heat from the furnace to rooms
in the house. Air is warmed as it passes over a heat
exchanger, then blown through the house by a motorized
blower. Sheet metal ducts channel the heated air to
various areas of the house, and the heat enters each
room through registers.
Benefits
1. Low Maintenance
2. Low Initial Investment
3. Air Treatment Systems such as air cleaners and humidifiers can easily be added.
Drawbacks
1. Not as easily zoned as boiler heat.
2. Air is not as efficient than water at conducting heat.
3. Uneven Temperature is a problem unless variable speed fans and proper duct design
is implemented.
4. Less Longevity than boiler systems.
Alternative
Heating
Wood Boilers,
usually are installed outside of the home and connected
to either baseboard or radiant heat tubing.
Benefits
1. Renewable
2. Freedom to disconnect from the gas grid
3. Cost Effective
4. Newer more efficient systems have made wood heat environmentally friendly.
5. Very practical in Alaska.
Drawbacks
1. Higher initial upfront cost.
2. Impractical if you don't have access to wood.
When
Replace Your Heating System?
Only
When
it's in Your Best Interest
The
Goal of heating system is to provide you with Safe
Comfort & Low Operational Cost. In other words
"Low Costs Heat"
Just
ask our Service Techs they will give you a straight
answer.
Lowering
Operational Costs
First off let us say that it’s your home and unless it’s a safety
issue we are always willing to repair or replace. Granted we have a
vesting interest in selling you a new heating system. However, we also
have a vested interest in repair calls. We appreciate your business and
we want to serve you and the best way we know to do that is to properly
inform you. Just Ask Your Service Tech, he will give you a Straight Answer on your system.
There are only four reasons to justify replacing a
Heating System; Comfort, Safety, Reliability
and Economics. The first three are self explanatory.
We
appreciate your business and we want to serve you and the best way we
know to do that is to properly inform you. Just Ask Your Service Tech,
he will give you a Straight
Answer on your system. There are only four reasons to justify
replacing a Heating System; Comfort, Safety, Reliability
and Economics. The first three are self explanatory.
►Energy
Conservation- Enstar’s Gas Rates
have risen by 30% in 2008 & 21% in 2009
For
example, if a homeowner is spending $175 per month with a 60%
efficient heating system, that’s $2100 per yr. The energy costs with
the
LEAST
EFFICIENT New
System may only be $1537.00 per year.
That’s
$5360 in 10 yrs in Energy Savings Alone.
►Minimizing
Repairs- For example, repair bills have gone up. Many homeowners
are
spending over $200 per yr. trying to keep their old generation system
alive.
That’s
$2000 in 10 yrs. in Repair Savings Alone.
►It
Does Not Pay to Wait- Using the examples above, if the homeowner
saves
every
yr. by replacing then they are loosing money every year by waiting.
That’s
$736 Lost Every Yr. you Wait.
Call
Us Today for a FREE Estimate
How
to Build a Reliable System with Low Operational Cost?
Every
Alaska Heating Contractor
should do the following:
Step
1- Heating Contractors should ask you about hot
and cold spots in your home. They should always
address your Comfort needs.
Step
2-
Load Lowering- Contractors should
also make recommendations on load lowering. Energy
efficient appliances can drastically decrease your
home energy requirements. Reducing cold air
infiltration can lower the heat BTU load of your
home.
Step
3- Proper
Sizing Properly sizing a system will maximize not
only energy conservation but longevity and comfort
as well. This is especially important in Alaska.
Step
4- Include
features that Conserve Energy and Minimize Repairs.
A "Low Maintenance Energy Conserving
Design" is a "Low Cost Heat" down the
long road design.
Alaska
Heating Articles of the Month
Radiant Heat - New Construction
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Todd_Fratzel]Todd Fratzel
Radiant heat has become very popular in today's new home construction in cold climates. Once again I'm going to share some of my experience with my own house and others that we have recently built for customers. Radiant heat offers both energy savings along with comforts for home owners.
There are many different types of radiant heat systems on the market today but I will only discuss one of them that I'm quite familiar with. The new homes that we build with radiant heat utilize one of three boiler types; high efficiency gas boiler by Weil McLain, direct vent oil boiler by
Buderus, or a high efficiency gas on demand boiler by Rinnai. Each of these boiler systems provide a high efficiency option for our customers depending on their choice of fuel and preferences.
The system is quite simple, the basement slabs have PEX tubing looped throughout the slab and tied to the reinforcing steel. Each loop runs back to a manifold and hot water from the boiler is pumped through the tubing to heat up the slab and "radiate" throughout the space. The main floor of the house is heated by running rubber or PEX tubing between the joists and stapled to the bottom side of the floor sheathing. Each of these loops is again run to another manifold which allows warm water to be pumped through the tubes thus warming the floor and causing it to "radiate" heat to the floor above.
In my new house we even ran tubing to the second floor for each of the bathrooms so we have nice warm tile to stand on. Radiant works well with concrete slabs, tile floors and engineered wood floors. You should check with the manufacturer of any flooring material prior to installation to make sure it is compatible with radiant heat.
Radiant heat produces a much more even temperature and an incredible warm feeling on your feet. By producing the steady even temperature the system actually will use less energy trying to overcome the up and down swings of a traditional heating system. Many statistics suggest that radiant heat can be as much as 20% cheaper to run than traditional heat systems. On average my experience has shown that the radiant heat system will cost approximately 20% to 30% more to purchase and install. However, the comfort alone is well worth the price and over time it should easily pay for itself.
Wirsbo has some great information about radiant heat at their web site. If you're interested in more information about the details we typically use in our homes see my website at
http://homeconstructionimprovement.blogspot.com
Todd Fratzel, P.E. is a building superintendent for a construction firm in New Hampshire. In addition to supervising the construction of new homes Todd is a registered professional engineer in the New Hampshire and Massachusetts and has an extensive back ground in building structures. For additional articles like this one see his blog at
http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com
How to Choose a Furnace For the Home
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carl_Formby]Carl Formby
A furnace continues to be an integral part of our home throughout the ages. It is going to enjoy the same importance in the foreseeable future also. Though the basic necessity and functions remain the same, selection of a suitable furnace depends on certain criteria. These can vary widely e.g. starting from its size and get up, to even the issues like fuel it is operated with or the associated exhaust systems. As a result, purchase of a furnace calls for a well thought of decision.
Some of the must - be- considered aspects prior to purchase a furnace are size and space, usage, fuel, exhaust and safety, and others. Space can be a constraint. So size of the furnace should be small enough to get accommodated in the available space. Depending on family size and other issues usages of a furnace will vary. More usage calls for a heavy duty, durable furnace. Availability and cost of fuel are the two factors to be considered. Balance need to be made between the two. In any case a less polluting fuel should also be considered as a preferable alternative. The furnace should be safe to handle whether it is being used or not. Adequate attention should be given to the exhaust system so that unwarranted pollution is avoided inside the room.
Existing rules and regulations are also very important. The furnace should comply with the legal provisions. Otherwise it can pose some problem while in operation and will have very less resell value. The furnace which can accommodate add-on-features at a later date should be preferred. In any case the product should exhibit the legal compliance. The two issues i.e. after sales service of the furnace and its maintenance, should be given due importance. If a furnace is starving for maintenance and spares it is as good as not having that. Ease of operation is another key factor. Keep in mind that many a time the person purchasing a furnace is not the only one going to handle it. So think about the operability. Unnecessary complicated operation will lead to redundancy of some of the features.
Transfer and re-installation play a significant role. You should think about the reinstallation capability of the furnace as well. If your furnace is consuming more electricity or fuel it is not a good furnace in the era of sustainability. Similar is the case when it consumes more accessories and spares e.g. filters, nozzles etc. In addition to that, looks and get up also matter. It should jell well with the rest of the decors of the house or the place you are going to install it. Over gorgeous or unduly timid designs are no-go in today's context. Think about both, the initial purchase value and also the recurring cost that will have to be incurred. Ultimately it is the money that matters.
While you will be considering all these issues some of the tips can be forwarded to come out of this
zig-saw-puzzle. Some of these are that you should go to a multi brand outlet - consult the salesman and try to identify the pros and cons of different brands. Discuss with neighbors - Honest feed back will come from the users who are using them. Count on that. Go through the technical reviews - This is a smart way to update your knowledge and database without involving others. Internet Review - Take help of this broadly accepted utility to form a considerably good opinion prior to investment decisions. And last is to count on your own wisdom and act upon the suggestions and desire of your partner who converts your house to a healthy home.
Carl Formby owns and operates http://www.furnacesmarket.com - a site with information about the
[http://www.furnacesmarket.com/amanagasfurnace.html]Amana Gas Furnace
Alaska
Heating and Energy LLC believes in Low Maintenance
Energy Conserving Systems. This is Truly "Low
Cost Energy" down the long road.
Alaska
Heating and Energy LLC provides Alaskans with the most efficient reliable
systems available for heating and alternative energy. Whether you are looking for home
heating repair, heat installation or a wind
generator, Alaska Heating & Energy LLC
can help.
Call
Alaska Heating and Energy LLC @ 688-4388
Anchorage & 357-4388 Mat-Su Valley
