Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

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Pros and Cons of Various Heating Systems for Burnaby Homes

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Most households in the United States now have central heating, but there are several types of heating systems.

Warm Air
In warm air systems, air heated in a furnace travels through ducts into different rooms. The warm air comes out through registers in the floors or the walls of the rooms. When the cooler air enters the room, warmer air displaces it and it goes through return ducts and back to the furnace. The furnace reheats the cooler air, then it’s recirculated back through the house. If the system doesn’t have cold air return ducts, the cold air goes back to the furnace through the action of gravity. Warm air systems have an advantage over other systems in that the air can be cleaned by filtering and humidified. Filters are either inexpensive and disposable or permanent filters that only need occasional washing. Humidifiers can be installed in the main return or supply duct near the furnace. They’re also easier to adapt to a central air conditioning system and there are no distribution pipes that can freeze during a hard winter, then burst.

However, the big disadvantage of the warm air system is that if the heat exchanger breaks down exhaust gas mixes with the circulating air around the house.

Forced Warm Air
This is the most popular type of heating system in a house that uses a central heating system. A blower in the heat exchanger circulates the warm air. Because of this, comfortable heating can be had at lower furnace temperatures and with lower consumption of fuel. The supply and return ducts also don’t have to be as large and cumbersome as a gravity warm air system.

Hot Water Systems
This system circulates and recirculates water heater in a boiler. The water is transmitted through pipes to radiators located throughout the house. The hot water gives up some its heat when it reaches the radiators, then the cooler water flows back to the boiler where it can be reheated and recirculated. Hot water systems are flexible and can be used to heat the area below the level of the boiler, and independent heating zones are easier to install in the house. They’re also fairly quiet. However, since every component in the system, including the boiler, distribution pipes and the radiators are always filled with water and hot water expands, the system has to come with an expansion tank. Without it the pipes could burst. Conversely, the water is also subject to freezing, which can also burst the pipes.

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Happy Valentine’s Day From Vancouver’s Favorite HVAC Contractors

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Everyone at Milani Plumbing Draining & Heating wishes you a very happy Valentine’s Day! We hope you have a day filled with lots of candy, flowers, and Valentines! Today is all about showing your appreciation for those you love, including your friends, your family, or your significant other. Take a moment today to think about everyone who makes a difference in your life and how you can let them know how special they are to you.

While traditional gifts like candy and flowers are wonderful idea, why not think a little out of the box this year? Upgrading your HVAC system can make your whole house more comfortable, which is something that your entire family will appreciate! A new air filtration system can help you breathe easier, and a new heating and cooling system can significantly lower your energy bills. While not the most romantic of gifts, it certainly will let your family know that you care.

For more information about how a few HVAC upgrades can make your house more comfortable, give Milani a call. In addition to making your home cozier, you can also make your friends and family happy by making this delicious recipe for Chocolate Bar Fondue

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces milk chocolate, grated
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1/3 cup hot water

Directions

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the chocolate with the heavy cream. Mix in the instant coffee, vanilla extract, sugar, and hot water. Continue to heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth.

For more details, visit allrecipes.com.

 

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The Benefits of a Well-Insulated Home in Cloverdale

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Insulation is a vitally important part of your home. While it is not something you look at or probably even think about much, the amount and quality of the insulation in your home can have a dramatic impact on many aspects of your quality of life while you are living there.

The most basic reason that insulation is important is that it keeps the cold air out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. Without proper insulation at these times of year, your house will be much less comfortable than it would if you had high quality insulation in the right places.

Going hand in hand with this, of course, is the fact that proper insulation will help you get more out of your furnace and air conditioning. By preventing outdoor conditions from affecting the temperature indoors, insulation makes it easier for your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable all year round. That means that the HVAC system uses less energy and is subjected to less wear and tear.

And because proper insulation aids in temperature control, it also helps to keep moisture problems from developing. When there is too much or too little moisture in your indoor air, it can have serious consequences, both for you and for your wood furniture and fixtures. Too little moisture will quickly dry out your skin and can make cold and allergy symptoms worse.

Dry air also can make it harder for your heating system to keep your house warm enough to be comfortable and it can take away from the ability of your indoor air cleaner to remove contaminants from your indoor air. Air that is too moist, on the other hand, will make it more likely that mold will develop in various areas of your house.

Mold needs moisture to grow, and it also often prefers dark, warm areas. For that reason, you can have a significant mold problem and not even realize is if the mold is growing in the walls or in crawlspaces beneath the floor.

Proper insulation, however, can keep excessive humidity from becoming a problem and make it easier to create a comfortable indoor environment all around. Some types of insulation can even keep many potential indoor air contaminants and allergens from getting into your home in the first place.  For more information about this service call Milani Plumbing, Drainage & Heating.

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Home Inspection 101 for Burnaby Homes

Monday, February 6th, 2012

When you are buying a house in Burnaby, you want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting. One of the most important things you should do before you agree on a deal is to hire a professional home inspector to come out and take a look. However, hiring these inspectors is expensive and you do not want to waste time and money on a house that is not worth it.

For that reason, it can be very helpful if you can take a look at a place on your own first to see if it is even worth making an offer on. Of course, you cannot complete the type of inspection that a professional would be able to do, but you can take a look for some important and easy to spot problems that will give you a good idea whether or not it is even worth taking the process on this house any further.

For instance, you should start by taking a look at the house from a good distance away. Make sure the house actually looks like it is standing upright and that it is even. Sometimes from a distance you can see that a house is actually leaning to one side when that is not obvious up close.

Also, this will give you a chance to check out the lay of the land around the house. Remember, you want water to flow naturally away from your house so that it does not get into the basement and cause a problem on a regular basis. That means that you want the ground to slope away from the house rather than be flat or slope towards it.

Check out all of the plumbing and be sure to run water, flush toilets and thoroughly inspect all bathrooms and the kitchen. You want to see high quality fixtures and good water pressure. Also, check to see how long you have to wait to get hot water at various locations throughout the house.

Be sure to find out what type of heating system the house has in place as well and how old it is. Even a system that works well will need to be replaced soon if it is more than 10 years old. While this may not necessarily stop you from purchasing the house, the cost of replacing that system can certainly impact the amount you are willing to offer.  Please contact Milani Pluming Draing and heating with any questions.

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Boiler Tips from Delta: Basic Boiler Maintenance

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

If you are the person who looks after a boiler, you will find that it is essential that you make maintenance care a top priority. The nice thing about modern boilers is that they can tick along just fine as long as they are-taken care of in an appropriate fashion, so make sure that you consider these important tips.

Make Sure You Know Where the Manual Is
The boiler’s manual is some of the most important documentation for this large piece of equipment. Keep it handy and make sure that it doesn’t get damaged. In some cases, a repair professional will even need to consult it for some supplementary information.

Check Regularly For Signs of Trouble
While you should always check your boiler on a regular basis, this becomes even more important in winter time. Look for any signs of a water, oil or gas leak, and make sure that there is no corrosion or rust on the boiler piping. The piping is especially vulnerable in winter, so keep an eye on it.

Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide is a serious issue and it can be deadly in the most tragic circumstances. A carbon monoxide detector next to your boiler can keep you and your family safe, but you will find that you need to keep the detector in good condition. Check it every month to make sure that it is still functional. This is an important task for any detector in your home.

Keep the Pump Clean and Tidy
Your boiler is only going to work well if you keep it clean. Over time, the amount of dirt and grime on the boiler’s pump is going to affect the heat transfer. This happens more quickly than you might believe, so keep this area clean and in good order. Similarly, make sure that the pump is well-oiled. Not only will this ensure a smooth operation, it will also keep your motor from overheating.

Get the Boiler Checked Regularly
If you are someone who does not check your boiler on a regular basis, or even if you are, it is always a good idea to have an expert come in. A plumber can help you make sure that your boiler is in top working shape, something that can save you a great deal of money in the long run. When it comes to boilers, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure!

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What Happens When You Neglect Heat Pump Maintenance in Vancouver

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Just like any HVAC system in Vancouver, the heat pump in your home needs routine maintenance and yearly check-ups to operate as efficiently and safely as possible. You also don’t want your heat pump to wear down to the point of a major malfunction or breakdown, which can be costly to repair or may require a complete heating system replacement.

Here are some things that could go wrong and cost you a lot more in the end if you don’t keep up with the regular maintenance of your heat pump.

Damage to the Compressor

The compressor in a split-system heat pump works whether you are heating or cooling your home. In the winter, the compressor reverses the flow of the refrigerant to defrost the outdoor coils, and in the summer it supplies the refrigerant to cool the home, as well as cooling the outdoor coils. Proper airflow is vital to keeping the compressor running smoothly. Filters that are not changed regularly, dirty coils, and dirty fans can all restrict airflow, which will damage the compressor. Debris around the outside components should also be cleared to allow proper airflow.

Decreased Efficiency

When dirty or broken components restrict the airflow, this damages the compressor and decreases the heat pump’s efficiency levels.  Not only is it important to clean your heat pump regularly, but you should also have it checked by a certified heating technician once a year. This will also prevent safety hazards and other hidden issues with the heat pump.

Improper Refrigerant Levels

Most heat pumps are charged with refrigerant at the factory; however, if models that are charged when they are installed are not given the right amount of refrigerant this can also affect performance levels. Refrigerant leaks and other common problems can be prevented by scheduling an annual maintenance visit with one of our qualified technicians.

Don’t wait until the heat pump in your home stops working, call to schedule your yearly check-up.

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Things Shoppers from Vancouver Should Look for When Buying a Heating System

Monday, January 30th, 2012

It is estimated that the life span of a typical home heating system is about 20 years. There is variation in this based on the maintenance performed on the unit during its years of use, the heating system’s manufacturer and other factors. Generally, however, a system that is between about 15 and 20 years old may begin to show signs that it needs to be replaced. It may begin to run more inefficiently, or it may need more frequent repair. In some instances, it may stop functioning altogether. The decision may be made to buy a new heating system. When purchasing a new heating system, there are a few things to consider.

The Size of Space That Needs to Be Heated
Many homeowners are concerned about the price of the heating system. The price generally is correlated with the amount of space that needs to be heated. Larger, more powerful heating systems are required to heat larger spaces. Consider determining the amount of square footage that needs to be heated inside the home. If two different heating systems are in place, as is common with larger homes, the square footage of a single heating unit’s zone area will need to be calculated.

The Efficiency Rating
Another factor to consider when purchasing a new heating system for a home is the energy efficiency rating. Many heating units are designed with energy efficiency in mind today, but some of the most energy efficient models are also the most costly models. Consider calculating the cost of use with two or three different models you are considering buying. Compare the cost of use against the purchase price. Through this process, you may determine how many months or years of use are required with the most energy efficient model to recoup the difference in sales price.

It can be difficult to determine which heating system to buy for your home. Many homeowners do rely on the expert advice and guidance of their heating and cooling professional when making this decision. A heating and cooling professional can help you to determine the square footage of zone space and can review different makes and models of heating systems that you may consider purchasing for your home While it can be difficult to determine which heating system is right for your home, working with your heating and cooling professional can provide you with helpful insight to guide your decision-making process.

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Surrey Heating Replacement Guide: 5 Reasons to Replace Your Furnace

Friday, January 27th, 2012

No homeowner wants to even think about replacing a furnace, let alone do it. Furnaces are expensive appliances, costing anywhere from about $3,000 to $6,000 with installation costs. However, there are reasons to get your furnace replaced. Here are five of the most common.

1. Your furnace is old
On average, most furnaces last about 15 to 20 years, although some can last longer if they are well-maintained. When they get older, they start to have more problems, such as fuses and sensors burning out and frequent breakdowns. Switching now can save you further repair costs.

2. You have an inefficient furnace
Furnaces have made great leaps in efficiency in the past few years. Even if your furnace is only 10 years old, it may be a lot more inefficient than a newer model. A model that’s 97 percent efficient will cut your bills about 20 percent compared to one that’s only 80 percent efficient; plus, it’s more environmental friendly. To see if making a switch is worth it, you need to figure out your bills now and calculate how much the more efficient furnace will save. If you are likely to recoup the cost of a new furnace within 10 years or so, then it’s probably worth it.

3. You use heating oil
Oil and gas prices have been going in different directions for several years now. Gas prices in 2012 have hit lows not seen in a decade, while oil prices have been consistently above $100 a barrel. For those with a heating oil furnace, switching to gas — or even electric — can lead to immediate savings on heating bills. And if the price trend continues, it won’t take long to recoup the cost of the switch.

4. Your house has grown
When a house is built, the furnace that is installed is meant to fit the size of the house. When a furnace is replaced, same principle applies. However, if you have put an addition onto your home or turned a large unheated space into a heated one, you may need a larger furnace.

5. Rebates or other savings programs
You may be able to take advantage of tax credits or rebates offered by your local utility to buy a new furnace that is more efficient than your old one.

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Richmond Heating Replacement Checklist: What You Should Consider Before Upgrading

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

How do you decide if it is time to replace your old furnace or upgrade your heating system? In our line of work, we’ve come across many homeowners faced with this dilemma. We recommend that homeowners use the following checklist to decide if the benefit of buying a new heater is worth the purchasing cost.

1. Are your heating bills high? We all know that the price of gas or electricity, depending on your system, is high. However, what many homeowners don’t know is that their furnace starts becoming less efficient after 15 to 20 years in operation. This means that the furnace requires more power to operate, thereby forcing you to pay more for your heating bills. If it’s possible, we recommend comparing your heating bills from the same month over a span of three to five years. If you see a steady increase, then it’s likely your furnace is affecting your heating bills. Consider upgrading to an energy efficient model.

2. Have you repaired the furnace recently? Every homeowner knows that repair costs are expensive. Ask yourself how many times the repairman has been out to check your furnace during the past two years. Excessive repairs are a sign that a furnace is reaching its end, leaving the household without heat. Not only is a complete break down uncomfortable, it’s also downright dangerous in the winter. It’s better to prepare a budget plan that allows for purchasing a new heater than face the high costs of emergency heating repair.

3. Is the heat level the same all over your house? One of the signs of a malfunctioning furnace is that it stops heating rooms as effectively as it once did. For example, if you notice that there is a severe temperature difference between two bedrooms, then this is likely due to your furnace not being able to heat them evenly. Upgrading your heating system can fix this problem.

4. Do you think your furnace is safe? There’s more to worry about with an old furnace than just excessive repair costs. A furnace’s age determines how likely it is to potentially start a fire or even begin to leak carbon monoxide. These are serious threats that can affect the safety of your entire family. Furnaces that are older than 20 years present the greatest safety hazards. They need to be replaced by safer, more energy efficient models.

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How a Ceiling Fan Can Help Heat Your Richmond Home

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Most people in Richmond who have ceiling fans never turn them on in the winter. They assume that the fan is designed solely to cool the house – after all, blowing air feels pretty nice doesn’t it? But, a ceiling fan can actually help to move heat around your home and lower your heating bill if used properly. Here are some tips to do just that.

Rotating Warm Air

Warm air naturally rises. So, when you turn on your furnace and the blower fan pushes warm air through your ductwork into the various rooms of your home, the warm air immediately rises to the ceiling. So, for the room to feel as comfortable as you want it, you must wait for enough heat to circulate into the room to displace the cold air that was already there.

However, instead of waiting for warm air to fill the room, you can circulate the warm air as it arrives with a ceiling fan. By turning on your ceiling fan and changing the direction so it blows down (which most people already have it set to), the warm air will be pushed toward the floor, mixing it smoothly into the room and keeping you more comfortable without having the furnace on constantly.

This does two things. First, it keeps the room comfortable regardless of when the furnace cycles on or off. Second, it keeps the thermostat reading stable so the furnace doesn’t cycle on and off so quickly. If the warm air regularly rises up and the lower levels begin to cool, your furnace will frequently turn on and off as it tries to maintain the same temperature.

A Low Cost Addition to Your Home

Ceiling fans are inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing. They move air throughout the room, keep warmth low where you need it and can help reduce your energy bill in multiple ways. If you’re not sure whether a ceiling fan is right for you, talk to a Richmond technician about just how much money one of these simple devices can save you. I bet you’ll be convinced.

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