Sizing a water heater
Leave a CommentThe Department of energy has a web tool for helping you chose the proper size water heater: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12810
Heating your basement efficiently
Many people have finished basements. It is an inexpensive way to expand the living area of your home. And for people with small lots, it is often the only way. In the summer, the cool basement is a nice escape from the heat. The heavy walls which are not exposed to the hot outside air absorb much of the heat inside the basement. This feature works great in the summer, but needs a remedy in the winter. You will need to heat your basement to make it usable all year round.
There are many ways to heat a basement. Conventional heat sources include fireplaces and electric heaters. The system that is right for you will depend on the size of your basement, the design of your house upstairs and the ground around the home. For more efficiency, you should consider geothermal. A geothermal system pumps water deep into the ground where the earth warms it up. An electric heating element or gas burner can then warm the water up to the final temperature. This system is so energy efficient that the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) estimated a savings of between 20 to 50 percent.
Is Your HVAC system making you sick?
Your HVAC system controls the climate in your building and it could be a contributor to poor health. Temperature, humidity and air purity are all important factors for healthy air.
Even new buildings HVAC issues. This is especially true for building with sensitive equipment. Building with electronics ofter have colder dryer air that can lead to dry skin, nose bleed and uncomfortable temperature that can cause health issues.
Bloom Fuel Cell
A Silicon Valley startup that’s taken more than $400 million in venture funding finally unveiled its product today in a star-studded extravaganza…“The cost is about an order of magnitude higher than it needs to be, to be truly competitive,” said Michael Tucker, a fuel cell scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
EPA airPLUS Label
The EPA has created the Indoor airPLUS label to help builders meet the consumer demand for improved air quality. Homes that achieve this certification have impoved systems for mold, pests, combustion gases, radon and other airborne pollutants. (Video)
Reducing your cooling cost with trees
Trees can reduce your air conditioning costs by casting a shadow on your house during the summer months and then dropping their leaves to let the sun shine on your home during the winter. How much can a tree save you? There is an online tool to help you calculate your savings: http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/index.cfm
Preparing for Spring
With more snow falling outside, this may seem like an odd time to be thinking about spring. With spring comes flowers, and with flowers comes pollen. For people with allergies, spring can be a difficult time. Keeping your windows closed and using spending the money for a HEPA allergy furnace filter can help. Have the normal maintenance done early so that when the first hot day happens you can turn on your air conditioning with confidence and have it work the way it should.
Residential Tax Credit Forms
The IRS has issued Form 5695 for the Residential Energy Credit. The form is used by taxpayers who claim a credit under section 25(c). This tax credit is a reward for people who have invested in more energy efficient systems.
Air Quality
Dusty, dirty homes at any temperature can mean discomfort. The air in today’s tightly-sealed, well-insulated homes can become stale as the same indoor air is circulated and re-circulated. In fact, indoor air quality is among the Environmental Protection Agency’s top 3 health concerns. The agency reports that with dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, skin flakes, chemical fumes, cigarette smoke and more, the air inside your home can be 2-5 times dirtier than the air outside.
Although we usually can’t see them, air pollutants are all around us, already inside our homes, and waiting to come in from outside. From our yards to our kitchens, dangerous air pollutants threaten our home air quality. Plus, each season brings its own dangers, from mold in the fall and winter to pollens and high humidity in the spring and summer.
Fortunately, B&H Mechanical can install a wide range of dependable air quality solutions, including humidifiers, ventilators, UV lamps, air purifiers, and electronic air cleaners that together can eliminate up to 99.9% of the pollutants threatening your home’s health.
Carrier Revolutionizes Home Heating and Cooling with Remote Access for the Infinity System
Reinforcing its position as a leading innovator in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, Carrier today introduced the latest in home appliance technology – Infinity® Remote Access. Infinity Remote Access, gives the homeowner unprecedented control of their home comfort system and allows the homeowner to change their comfort settings from anywhere in the world via the Internet or the telephone.
