Home Heating Choosing a New Furnace

As winter approaches, everyone begins to think about the furnace. Will in kick on? Will it last through another long, cold winter? Should we install a new furnace? If so, with what kind? If these questions are familiar to you, keep reading as we try to "demystify" a couple of household heating sources.

The most important step to take before starting the furnace for the season is to have it inspected by a licensed professional. They will clean the furnace, make sure it is in good working order, they will also recommend any parts that will need to be serviced or replaced in the near future.

If the furnace inspector tells you that it is time to replace the furnace, you may be overwhelmed by the choices in today's' furnace market. There are the standard gas, oil and electric furnaces as well as the newer outdoor wood furnaces and corn-fueled furnaces to name a few. There is lots of information available on these newer furnaces on the internet, however, a quick overview will be provided here.

One of the most popular options today is an outdoor heating source. It uses the old standby of wood, but eliminates the mess and smell associated with burning wood. An outdoor wood heating unit is placed approximately 500ft from the house. The wood burner itself is built inside of a small building, this often is made to look like a smaller house or shed. The heat is carried from the burner via heated water, which runs through underground, insulated pipes. This is the most effective and efficient method for moving heat over distances. Once the heated water reaches its destination, there are a couple of options for actually heating the home. Using a boiler, radiant floor heating system, a heat exchanger or a forced air furnace that is powered by a direct circulation system. The wood burning system can also do double duty to heat household water if a water-to-water heat exchanger is installed.

Although there are many advantages to using an outside wood burning furnace, it has a down side to its use as well. The cost can be quite high for most people, running approximately $5,000 installed. This of course, depends upon what part of the country you live in.

Another alternative to the traditional furnace that is gaining in popularity is the corn burning furnace. This type of furnace uses shelled corn (the same kind fed to livestock) to heat a home. While this is a viable source of heat it is not fool proof, it does have drawbacks that need to be considered before making a final decision.

Corn fuel furnaces are comparable to a convention furnace as far as price is concerned, costing roughly $2,000. It uses corn that has no more than 15% moisture content; fortunately, this is the same percentage of moisture as feed corn, making it very easy to obtain from a local elevator. The cost of burning corn as compared to propane is approximately one bushel of corn is to 5.5 gallons of propane fuel. Corn is also a natural and renewable resource, and keeps farmers in business while keeping your heating costs down.

On the other side, corn fed furnaces need daily cleaning to be efficient. They also run on an electric fan system, if you lose electricity, you lose heat also. For this reason, its best to either have a generator or a back up furnace for emergencies.

Being armed with the knowledge of these types of heating sources will make you a more educated consumer when it is time to replace an old, worn out furnace.

Linda Moore writes on a variety of subjects including home ownership, family matters, personal enrichment, replacing your furnace and property values,

Furnace Buying Tips

Choosing a furnace for your home is not difficult. The following list are features that you may want to look for when buying your furnace.

1. What type of furnace do you want? Will it be Gas or Electric?

The Gas Furnace

The gas furnace is always more affordable to use than the electric furnace where gas is readily available. On the downside, burning fuel generates fumes. In well-maintained gas furnaces, the fumes generated are enclosed in the exchanger and then exit the house through an exhaust vent.

Remember, a gas furnace must be checked by a qualified professional at least once a year. The professional would check the furnace for holes, leaks or cracks. A break or crack in the furnace lets carbon monoxide seep into your house or place of business.

The Electric Furnace

The electric furnace has a higher cost than a gas furnace. On the upside, since electric furnaces do not use flames, it does not generate any carbon monoxide. The electric furnace is cleaner and safer than a gas furnace.

2. The Quality of the Furnace

The quality of the furnace determines how long and how well it will perform. Choosing a brand of furnace that has a history of quality and reliability can be less costly in the long run. Ask your contractor about which brand will be optimal for your needs. A free estimate for the purchase and installation are available in some companies.

3. The Efficiency of the Furnace

The efficiency of gas furnaces are determined by the AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings. The AFUE ratings identifies how efficiently is the fuel being consumed. In most cases, a higher AFUE rating means it takes less fuel to heat your home.

Gas furnaces with higher ratings cost more than those with lower ratings but may save you more money down the road. A minimum rating of 78% is established by the government in 1992. Many furnaces have an efficiency rating of about 60% prior to 1992.

a. The Mid-Efficiency Furnaces

The mid-efficiency furnaces are also called ?induces draft furnaces? or ?non-condensing furnaces?. The mid-efficiency furnace offers the bare minimum of 78% efficiency up to about 80%.

b. The High-Efficiency Furnaces

The high-efficiency furnaces are also known as ?condensing furnaces? or ?sealed combustion furnaces?. The high-efficiency furnaces has an AFUE rating as high as 96%. Some furnaces use a two-stage valve and an efficient variable-speed motor to raise comfort and effectiveness.

4. The Comfort features of furnaces

Several furnaces provide features that increases comfort and efficiency.

a. The features of the two-speed furnace

The furnace can function at low speed for most of the time. It allows for a more quieter operation for a longer amount of time compared to a ?single-speed furnace?. The longer run periods allow for fewer start/stop cycles, less drafts, and very little temperature variance.

The temperature swing is limited to about two degrees compared to the four degree variance of the single-speed units. The two-speed unit gives better circulation which prevents warmer air from rising and the cooler air from settling down. The two-speed unit gives a more consistent temperature in the house.

b. The features of variable-capacity furnaces

Furnaces with variable capacity provide a combination of efficiency and comfort. The variable-capacity has a motor that regulates your needs by automatically adjusting air volume and speed. The var-cap furnace provides the most efficient heating and cooling.

A fan comes with the var-cap furnace. The fan will reduce your cost during summer. If the fan is used throughout summer, the central air conditioning unit increases in efficiency.

5. The furnace noise level

Unfortunately, all furnaces do not come with a standard rating system for sound unlike heat pumps and air conditioners. Although, two-speed units and var-cap units generally operate at a low noise levels.

The two-speed and var-cap furnaces run for longer periods and lower sounds than the standard unit. Certain var-cap units has features that prevent ?creaking? of the ducts due to expansion and contraction caused by changing temperature. The temperature differential is reduced so that the creaking noise is also almost eliminated.For more great furnace information and resources check out: http://www.furnaceadvisor.info

Floor Registers and Furnaces

Do you know what questions to ask the professionals when they are installing new carpeting or floors? When you have ceiling vents for your heating system do not assume the floor registers, which are a pain for furniture placement, do not need to be used. Read on.

This is what happened to me. When I moved into my Mobile Home I immediately wanted to replace the atrocious, gold carpeting which ran throughout my entire coach. When the carpeting installers came to install the carpeting - I innocently let them carpet over my floor registers. I later learned this was a definite NO - NO. I did not want to blow up my Mobile Home.

When the registers are covered the gas can not escape. It can build up pressure and make a nice big KABOOM. The ceiling and floor registers work together to circulate heat throughout my home safely and evenly. When I turned on the furnace instead of the heat circulating throughout the rooms - it stayed in one spot right under the ceiling register. Even with the heat on - my Mobile Home was always cold.

About two years later, I found out about the problem with my floor registers, and how dangerous it was to have them covered up. I was able to uncover 3 floor registers easily, but the remaining 4 were a mystery to me. When the 3 floor registers were free of carpeting and able to breathe - I immediately found the heat distribution was indeed circulating throughout my Mobile Home. The remaining 4 registers, I knew which rooms they belonged in, but I did not know where on the floor they were located.

When I finally purchased a brand new furnace, one of the furnace installers had to locate and uncover the remaining 4 registers by moving furniture, and pounding on my floor with a hammer - now I can breathe easier knowing my Mobile Home is safe from a KABOOM.

He did share with me his years of experience in heating and air-conditioning installation. He said, "the registers get covered over all the time."

I am now sharing my experience with you. What do I know about floor registers? When you buy anything it is time to ask questions. But you have to know what questions to ask.

I hope you enjoyed my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles on many numerous subjects.

Linda is the author of her first published book, “Ghost Kids Trilogy. "Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates’ Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

How To Appeal Medical Bills

Appeal and Collections Letters for Medical Providers

Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom

Stop Computer Pain on my website http://www.lmeckler.com/store

Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

Furnaces - Great Indoor and Outdoor Decor

In the most general terms, a furnace is a piece of equipment which produces heat. This leaves the category wide open for home décor possibilities – whether you want your furnace indoors, outdoors, or both. When you shop for furnaces, fireplace accessories and more, you will be surprised at what you can find. So when you go to a place that doesn’t have exactly what you want, limited supplies and or designs in their furnaces – try looking around a bit first. You will be glad you did.

A central heating furnace is a great way to control the temperature dispersed throughout your home, nonetheless, it is not the most aesthetically pleasing. When it comes to saving money in the wintertime, furnaces are a great idea for your home. To install a fireplace or furnace of some sort for extra heat may help you reduce the amount of heat you use via your central heating system. This will, as only logically follows, reduce your heating bill while adding a distinctive ambiance to your home.

Look around and you will realize both the beauty and the benefits of having an indoor and / or outdoor furnace. Among the furnaces on the market today, some of the most beautiful ones I have seen have a sort-of antique / gothic design. Furnaces and fireplaces are sometimes the main attraction of a room, a special way to enhance the overall ambiance of your motif. But the same goes for the new and luxurious fireplaces designed for the outdoors as well.

With the ever improving design and technology of both indoor and outdoor heating accessories such as an elegant, modern, antique, artistic, and even custom designed fireplaces are available for you. The kind of furniture you purchase for your home and / or outdoor space will, of course, automatically be a matter of your personal taste. There are furnace designs of all kinds that fit within many different people’s budgets. You can afford the luxurious look of an outdoor fireplace, or an elegant, ambiance-enhancing indoor furnace of your own without paying a fortune.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on gardening a outdoor furniture, please visit outdoorgardenfurniture.net, supplier of high quality Garden Furniture and Adirondack Chairs.

Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces: Your Buying Options

If you are a homeowner, it is likely that you are aware of the cost of heating your home. Unfortunately, this cost is often high. If you are interested in heating your home, but for an affordable price you are encouraged to examine outdoor wood burning furnaces.

As with most other products, outdoor wood burning furnaces are available for purchase in a number of different makes and models. This choice is often a difficult one to make. Many outdoor wood burning furnaces provide enough heat and hot water for a large home or even multiple buildings, but not all will. To determine which outdoor wood burning furnace you should purchase, you are encouraged to examine your wants and needs. What you want to get out of a wood furnace is the best way to find and purchase a furnace that will best fit your needs.

While, you will have a number of different furnace models to choose from, you will also have a number of buying options. A large number of individuals and companies make and sell outdoor wood burning furnaces. In fact, there are so many buying options that many individuals tend to become overwhelmed. When shopping for an outdoor wood furnace, you are encouraged to make a well informed decision. It may only appear as if you are purchasing a wood furnace, but your purchase will have a lasting effect on the value of your home and the cost you pay to heat your home.

When it comes to outdoor wood burning furnaces, there are many individuals who are concerned with the cost. The cost of a wood furnace will all depend on where you are buying the furnace from. That is why it is important to fully research and examine a number of different individuals and companies. The best way for you to do this is to perform a standard internet search, if you aren’t already familiar with a dependable dealer.

You will find that outdoor wood burning furnaces can be purchased on and offline. Offline stores are often referred to as storefront retail locations. Each may provide you with what you are looking with, but many customers prefer shopping online. Online shopping is popular because it tends to offer a larger product selection. Most retail stores are limited on the number of products that they carry, including outdoor wood burning furnaces. This problem does not seem to exist online.

If you are searching for an outdoor wood furnace based on price, you are not alone. Many individuals wish to save money, in the long run, with an outdoor wood furnace. The only problem is that many are unable to afford the upfront costs of purchasing an outdoor furnace. For the best deals on outdoor wood burning furnaces, you are encouraged to compare before you buy. Taking the time to compare prices and find the best deal will often result in you saving money, both in the present and in future.

The amount of money you can save with a wood burning furnace will vary. Outdoor wood burning furnaces will save most homeowners a fairly large amount of money. The money you will save depends on a number of different factors. For a detailed estimate, you are encouraged to speak to a well-known and trusted outdoor wood burning furnace dealer, such as Hawken Energy.

Brad King is a writer for Hawken Energy where you can find a great deal on outdoor wood burning furnaces

Home Heating - Furnaces to Space Heaters, Inspections are Important

The thought of snow, cold and blowing winds lead to thoughts of warm blankets, furnaces and glowing fires. Home heating is a very important subject in most parts of the country, everything from furnaces to space heaters are used to keep the house toasty warm for our return from the "frozen tundra."

The heating sources that are used can lead to dire consequences if used improperly. Space heaters, for example are responsible for numerous house fires every year. The use of these devises for home heating requires responsibility and constant awareness of the safety issues they present. However, the use of space heaters can be a way to lower heating costs when the price of heating fuel rises by allowing you to use electricity instead.

When shopping for a space heater look for a model that stays cool to the touch and that has a wide base. These two options will make the heater safer to operate. Never use a space heater around a child, even if that child is asleep, the effect of a burn from the unit can be devastating. The chance of a child waking up and stumbling into the heater causing it to tip over and catch on fire is too great to risk.

When preparing your home heating plan for the winter season, it is not enough just to turn the furnace on and hope for the best, it needs to be serviced on a yearly basis to ensure its safety and reliability. Without this inspection, you could, literally be playing with fire.

The furnace inspection will consist of a visual inspection, cleaning of the furnace, detection of carbon monoxide (CO) as well as the checking the burner, ducts and pilot light. This is a short list of what an inspection consists of, but is a good indicator of what to expect when the licensed professional knocks on your door.

The visual portion of the inspection will help to detect any cracks that may exist in the heat exchanger. These cracks may result in the leakage of carbon monoxide fumes into the home. The flue will also be tested for the reason of detecting carbon monoxide (CO) gasses that may leak from the furnace. To be on the safe side, it is best to install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in the main sleeping areas of the home to warn of a possible danger.

The inspectors will also be cleaning the furnace ducts of dust that has accumulated throughout the summer. Dust can be combustible therefore, it is necessary to remove it before starting the furnace. The burner and pilot light will also be inspected to ensure that they are working properly.

Follow these tips when heating your home this winter and sleep peacefully at night knowing that you have done you duty to protect your family, when they are snuggled in their beds as well.

Linda Moore writes on a variety of subjects including home ownership, family matters, travel, personal enrichment, lowering your heating bills and home air purifiers

Corn Furnaces (Bio-Fuel) Reduce Heating Costs and are Good for the Enviornment Too

Recent rises in fuel prices have had most furnace owners—whether propane, natural gas, or oil models—seeing a substantial rise in their heating bills. These new financial headaches, coupled with increased environmental concerns over the gas emissions from traditional furnaces, have many clamoring for the development of new, safer, renewable energy sources. Odd as it may sound as first, corn furnaces are actually leading the way to achieving this goal.

Corn furnaces work by burning supplies of shelled corn, which is a renewable resource. Oil and gas, however, are limited, non-renewable resources. As time goes on and supplies of these much-sought-after fuels dwindle, costs will only continue to skyrocket. Many people who already struggle to afford monthly heating and electric bills may find themselves unable to heat their homes at all.

Using a corn furnace to heat a home is safe and simple. Most models require refilling only every ten or so days, so there is no need to constantly keep an eye on the machine. The only ongoing maintenance need is emptying the ash tray once a week. If the corn supply runs out, the furnace simply shuts off. Corn furnace owners report a light smell similar to that of a barbeque when their furnace is running, which is far more pleasant than oil odors emitted from oil furnaces. Most importantly, unlike traditional fuel-burning furnaces, there is no creosote buildup to cause a chimney fire.

Compared with oil and gas furnaces, corn furnaces certainly hold their own. One bushel of corn is the equivalent to about 3 gallons of fuel oil, with the average home requiring approximately 250 bushels per season. (Remember that most places do not need heat year-round.) Most corn furnaces have a AFUE rating of around 85%, which is well above the United States federal minimum of 78% and higher than many furnaces on the market today.

Another highlight of adopting a corn furnace is the chance to help financially-strained local farmers by creating a steady and reliable market demand for greater corn supplies. Many corn furnaces are designed to accommodate other bio-fuels like soybeans and wheat, which are also renewable resources that help keep small family farms up and running.

If you're interested in trying corn as a heating source, but not quite ready to give up your current model, you can always install a corn furnace as a supplementary heating source. This allows you to fully experience the power and reliability of bio-fuels, while easily being able to switch back to your old oil or gas furnace if you want to.

Austin Scott regularly writes for Furnace Helper on topics like Corn Furnaces and Furnace Repair

An Overview of High Efficiency Furnace Filters

High efficiency furnace filters are no doubt effective, but since they can lead to substantial increases in your electricity bills, you just can't afford to install them as part of your centralized heating and cooling system. However, you also can't just ignore the associated benefits. By taking the time to install a higher quality furnace filter, you will be able to realize the full potential of these filters and also realize the most cost-effective manner.

How to Select the Best High Efficiency Furnace Filter

Since quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, it's recommended that you consider a few things before you actually buy a furnace filter. To select the best, compare the protection levels that are usually explained in the product information. The protection levels are expressed in microns, which basically represent the size of air particles that the filter is capable of filtering out. This simply means you should consider only those furnace filters that have the smallest micron ratings, preferably those having 0.1 microns or less. These would be enough to filter out around 99.97 percent of all microscopic particles that might be present in the air.

Shortly after you install a furnace filter, you will start feeling a lot better because the air that you breathe will be free from a wide variety of contaminants. You can then be rest assured, the air around you is completely free from dust mites, pet dander, pollen particles and mold spores. All of which can easily create health problems for you and your family.

Another thing to consider prior to investing in a furnace filter is finding out the size of your room. This is important because certain furnace filters are effective only over a specific predetermined area. For example, say your room is 350 square feet, you will have to look for a filter that has the appropriate capability. The best thing to do is to opt for a furnace filter having a slightly higher configuration. Considering the above example, the filter should have the capacity to clean air over a 450 square foot room.

Last but not the least, you should never forget to take proper care of your furnace filter because its effectiveness depends a lot on how well you follow the maintenance guidelines outlined by the manufacturer. Also, keep changing your filters regularly, preferably every 3 to 6 months because even the best high efficiency furnace filters have a limited workable life.

Bill Whitworth writes furnace filter and other home environment health related articles for Web Products, Inc. A popular Internet destination for furnace filters, air filters, replacement filters, and custom filters. Helping customers improve their home air quality since 1997.

Your Furnace Air Filters Are Clean

Like a child who has discovered a new toy, this information will open up a whole new world of awe and wonder for you.

When it comes to household cleaning, you must make effective that your furnace air filters are clean and checked steadily. Air filters are necessary for removing particles from the air to ineffective you have a good amount of air inside your house. In addition, it should be well full thought of and it should be repress once in a while to ineffective its effectiveness. First and prime, you must have your gas apparatus repress steadily.

It is staunchly optional that you change and clean your air filters. assume having filthy furnace filters. They heighten your heating expenses and decrease the life span of your furnace. You should inspect and repress your switchment filters at slightest once a month. During the heating or cooling seasons, be effective to repress them at slightest twofold a month.

Make effective to clean and bathe them monthly if you have enduring filters. Electronic air cleaner filters should be cleaned and bathed every one or two months. When repressing on the blower motor, be effective that you have bowed off the emotional state first before running on the motor. If your furnace belt is scratched or scratched, switch it immediately. And make effective that the part you are with for switchment is the right part. It is good to have a extra belt on hand at all epoch. Be effective to circle off the state first before making any adjustments or modifications. When oiling the fan check, forever repress the motor strongly. There are some types of furnaces that basic not be lubricated. However, most of the fan motors basic habitual oiling.

Going through the final part of this article, we will see just how important the subject can be to many people.

In addition, when probing the fan or blower, make effective that the fins on the blower fan are dust-open and have no dirt on them. Make effective that the structure or how much of the fan is open of garbage. When repressing on the dehumidifier, make effective that you set the prim dampness flat to avoid on heating expenses. It is advised that you clean your humidifier one a month. However, if you are with hard water, you basic to repress on it more regularly. You should switch the pad or wick of your humidifier once a year. It is important to repress the emits and emits. But before that, you should sift whether your emit or emit is obstructed with garbage. If you have metal emits, paint the exposed metal emit with an outside briefing then smear outside latex paint to inhibit oxidation.

It is advised that you keep your furnace corner clean and tidy. As greatly as probable, do not keep chemicals, paint strippers, paint thinners, chlorine, kerosene, petrol and other akin chemicals in the furnace scope. delete any obstructions that could get in the way when you are probing the furnace.

These are just some of the tips that you can pursue in order to continue that dust-open household air that you have forever hunted with air filters. If you could take the main ideas from this article and put them into a list, you would a great overview of what we have learned.

Michelle Lamba writes for http://www.filteron.net where you can find out more about Air Filters and other topics

Furnace Filter As A Holiday Gift

We use furnaces when the weather calls for it. It seems obvious that we follow a seasonal pattern when looking for furnaces and related services. In general this is true, but Google reveals a few interesting details within this seasonal pattern that are anything but obvious.

Google can show search trends throughout the year for each furnace-related key word and the month when the search peaked. That peak is what we are after in this article. Unfortunately, this article's format does not us allow to insert pictures. Please follow the link at bottom of this article to see the page with all the charts and details.

At the time it was written, the available Google report covered the months from August 2006 through July 2007, so we are starting from the month of August.

There isn't a single furnace-related search peak in August, which is no surprise - everybody is still enjoying summer.

September does bring a surprise. There are search peaks for furnaces, but not gas, oil, or electric ones. Instead, people are looking for all kinds of wood and corn furnaces.

Most of the keywords peak in October. People search for the following:

•Furnace, best furnace, and new furnace

•Furnace ratings, furnace reviews, and furnace comparison

•Furnace sales, furnace installation, gas furnace, and gas furnace prices

•Gas furnace parts, gas furnace repair, gas furnace troubleshooting, furnace service, furnace maintenance, furnace repair, furnace parts

November has nothing to brag about. There isn't a single furnace-related search peak in this month.

December is a month of partying and gift buying. Only three searches peaked in this month, but all three are worth mentioning. Two of them - furnace filters and furnace humidifiers - we will return to in February. For now, just remember these two plurals.

The last search is for “THE furnace.” When does “furnace” become “THE furnace”? When it breaks in the last week of December?

By January, furnaces have been working hard, and the focus of queries shifts toward repairs. Numerous part names peak in searches, as well as words like "furnace troubleshooting" and "furnace problem(s)." It’s understandable - the longer furnaces run, the more of them are in need of repair. This trend will continue in February.

February is a month of several interesting queries.

Do you remember “furnace filters” and “furnace humidifiers” in December? Well, now they've turned singular. February maxed-out searches for “furnace air filter,” “furnace filter,” and “furnace humidifier.” Is it just a coincidence, or were people buying multiple furnace filters for Holiday gifts and Google just uncovered it? It may have something to do with New Year's resolutions as well.

On a serious note. All of a sudden, searches on “furnace efficiency” and “high-efficiency furnace” peak. Have high winter gas bills started coming?

The last, but not the least interesting, search for the keywords “out of this furnace” peaks in February, but before that also spikes in October. What information are these people searching for? Perhaps:

Do I get another winter “out of this furnace”?-- in October.

Do I get another month “out of this furnace”? -- in February.

How can Google be sure?

Nothing special happens between March and August. The only peak is in July in searches for “furnace prices.” Not much furnace buying goes in July, but everybody wants to know the price. Could be some tug of war going on between the vacation budget and the renovation budget.

And in August we are back to our starting point, with the same seasonal pattern.

A link to the web page with charts.Boris Sherman is a heating and air conditioning contractor His company Cozy World installs furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps in the Greater Toronto Area

Saving On Furnace Repairs

Furnace repairs are costly - they can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Quite often, the cost of labour is the biggest item on the invoice, if not the only one! Meanwhile, you can significantly reduce or even completely avoid charges for furnace repairs. It's quite easy, but you need to do this before the repairman comes.

Before actually coming to see the furnace, a good technician will try to learn as much as possible about the problem. He should call you and ask you to do a couple of basic checks on the furnace. If the technician gets enough information, he'll come with the part you need to fix the problem, saving himself a trip just to decide what part he needs. Quite often, the problem is just a blocked filter or an accidentally turned off switch - you can find this out right over the phone.

So, when you're speaking to the technician, he'll ask you to do some routine checks. Don't worry, he won't ask you to do anything unsafe or difficult. Let's go through a few possible scenarios.

Q. Do you feel air coming out of the floor registers?

WA. (Wrong Answer) Yes, the air is fine. The technician will come and check the air for you. He may find that the furnace (air handler) switch was off and turn it back on for you. Do you want to pay $100 for that?

RA. (Right Answer) Just a second, I'll check. (After checking a couple of registers) Air flow is as usual, or weaker than usual. (Whichever is the case.) Now, he might be able to figure out what the problem is, just from that simple question.

Q. Is the filter clean?

WA. Yes, it's clean. The technician can come and check the filter for you, but is that really worth $100?

RA. I don't know. My husband usually checks the filter, but he's not home. The technician will explain you where to find the filter, and what to check.

And if your technician doesn't call before coming? Well, you may be dealing with the wrong company. Boris Sherman is a residential heating and air conditioning contractor. His company Cozy World installs furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps in the Greater Toronto Area. Find your air conditioner at http://www.cozyworld.ca/.

The Top 10 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Buying a Furnace or Air Conditioner

Purchasing a new heating, cooling or air quality system for your home is one of the most important buying decisions you and your family will make. Before committing to such a large investment, it’s important to do your research and ask some serious questions so you can avoid making the following mistakes:

1. Choosing an Unqualified or Unlicensed Contractor

Picking the right contractor could be the most important part of the furnace or air conditioner buying process – yet most people don’t ask enough questions to make sure the contractor is properly qualified and experienced for the installation. Always ask if they are members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI).

Membership in HRAI, which represents over 1,000 contractors nationwide, shows that the contractor is qualified and reputable, as they must have the following credentials:

* All required trade licenses and provincial certifications

* Liability insurance up to $5,000,000

* Technical Safety and Standards (TSSA) registration

* Compliance with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

* Compliance with Dispute Resolution Process

* Compliance with Ontario Environmental Regulations

BBB members are part of a nationwide organization dedicated to upholding the highest level of integrity and ethics in customer service, communications, advertising and dispute resolution.

2. Getting Only One Estimate

When you’re shopping for a new gas furnace or central air conditioner, you should always get more than one estimate. Ensure that each estimate is written on a proper form and always take the time to review and compare the quality of the equipment and warranties offered. Does the estimate include the removal of old equipment and materials? Are permits included in the estimate?

Be sure to pay attention to the Sales Consultant to see how knowledgeable and professional they are. How long have they been in the business? Did they explain all of the rebates that are available for your system? Your experience with the Sales Consultant could be a good indicator as to what type of service to expect from that contractor later on.

3. Always Going for the Lowest Price

You should always select a contractor that promotes the quality of their installation service and equipment at reasonable rates, rather than just picking the one that offers the lowest price. The lowest price does not necessarily mean the best value. For example, the less expensive contractor might not offer valuable services such as 24-hour emergency response or maintenance and service agreements after the installation.

4. Thinking Price is the Only Factor

The purchase price should not be the only important factor in your decision. The noise level of your new system is something you will have to live with everyday, while the energy efficiency of the system will determine how much your heating or cooling costs will be (energy efficiency is determined by the SEER ratings – be sure the Sales Consultant fully explains what these numbers mean). Choosing the right product for your lifestyle will allow you to live comfortably and save money.

5. Ignoring the Fine Print in the Warranty

It is important to fully understand the warranty that is being provided by each contractor. You should always inquire if the warranty covers parts only or both parts and labour. Also ask if there any extra charges above and beyond the warranty coverage, such as an after-hours service labour charge. Always ensure that the contractor provides you with a written warranty form for your records.

6. Forgetting to Ask About Insurance and WSIB Coverage

The contractor you deal with should always have public liability and property damage insurance. If sub-contractors are utilized, the contractor should also have the proper liability insurance. If the contractor isn’t insured, you could be held fully responsible for any damages to the equipment or your home during the installation process as well as any medical costs if an installer is hurt on the job.

Always make sure the contractor is in good standing with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. For large jobs, you may want to request a copy of their latest WSIB certificate.

7. Making Too Big of a Deposit

Holmes Heating Inc. does not request a deposit, unless the equipment is unique and subject to re-stocking charges in the event of an order cancellation. If a deposit is required, it should never be more than 20% of the total job and all payments should be made directly to the company named in the contract.

8. Not Asking for References

Reputable contractors will be more than willing to provide you with the names and addresses of customers they have done work for. Ask neighbours, family, friends and co-workers their opinion of any contractor they’ve used in the past.

9. Believing Your System Will Never Break Down

In case something goes wrong with your system, it’s always a good idea to make sure that the company you choose has after-sales service capability. Inquire if they have a full service department and ask how many service vehicles they have on the road. Do they respond to calls after 11 p.m. or on weekends? How quickly can they be there if you have no heat? Holmes Heating Inc. guarantees a 4-hour emergency no-heat response time to keep you warm in case your furnace quits in the middle of winter.

10. Lack of Proper Training or Instruction

Most contractors have a habit of installing the furnace or air conditioner and then leaving without explaining how to properly operate or maintain the system. This leaves you, the homeowner, with the task of trying to figure out exactly how to reset electronic thermostats and replace furnace filters (which can become quite costly if not done properly). Holmes Heating Inc. provides all of its customers with a free training DVD, which outlines these procedures, step-by-step, in a friendly and courteous manner.

Whether you're shopping for a new gas furnace or central air conditioner or you're looking for air quality and duct cleaning service to keep your family healthy, you can count on Holmes Heating for all of your heating and air conditioning needs.

www.HolmesHeating.com

8 Tips To Speed Up Your Fat Burning Furnace

Eat often
 

You hear it everyday, yet you still can't believe its true. Constantly eating nutritious foods will keep your body working to burn more calories. Instead of eating big meals 3 times a day, break them up so that you’re eating 6 “mini meals” throughout the day. You’ll be able to eat less and still stay full. Best of all your energy levels will drastically increase due to the continuous eating throughout your day.

Lift weights
 

I know, I know you don't like hearing this but the truth is that if you lift weights you won't get big and bulky. But what you will do is decrease the amount of fat and increase long lean muscle.

Just a little FYI - muscle burns fat!
 

When you think of lifting weights, don’t automatically think of that crazy, huge guy with veins popping out of his head lifting 100 lbs at the gym. Instead, think of like 5 or even 10-pound weights. While you work with these weights try to go for 15-20 repetitions – try to implement some weight lifting with your exercise routine and you’ll start to see a change immediately.

Exercise daily
 

Once a month just won't cut it. If you really want to see results you have to put in a decent effort. Which means that you've got to be doing physical exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes to an hour. Often women come up to me and say,

“But Marci I do a lot of house work, and chores around the house, and I’m staying active.”

This is a perfect of example of what the difference between physical exercise and physical activity is.

In the end physical exercise is what we’re looking for, you’ve got to take your body to a new level of stress to change and see results.

Lay off the processed foods
 

See all that food in your fridge and cupboards? How much of them have glucose or sucrose in their ingredient list. Eating refined foods will damage your body in ways you wouldn't even imagine. Often they put you on a sugary roller coaster that can leave you feeling energized to sluggish with hours. So instead of eating those “fake foods”, go for the raw fruits and veggies instead.

Save time with circuit training
 

Busy with kids or the family? Can’t find that power hour to workout? Don’t worry you don’t need an hour anyways. You can easily condense an hour’s workout into 30 minutes. Instead of taking a break after you’ve finished one exercise, move to the other exercise immediately. This is going to keep your heart rate up and make your muscles work even harder. 30 minutes of this and you’ll be good to go!

Drink water
 

Drinking water is essential for hydration, but it plays another important role. It can actually help you lose weight. Water has no calories, which means that you can take down your caloric intake by consuming more water than juice or any other beverage on the planet.

Get up and move at work
 

Sometimes this is out of your power, but if you can get up at work and stretch your legs for a couple of minutes then do it. Sitting at the computer all day won’t help you achieve the weight loss you want. Take a walk to the water cooler, even if you’re not thirsty. Find reasons to just walk around every hour and your body will thank you.

Walk, walk, and walk
 

Walking can be an extraordinary exercise. But I’m not talking about walking in the mall, or down the street. I’m talking about walking up hills or on the beach. Also, your pace has got to be fast enough so that your heart rate can increase and you actually feel like you’re getting a work out – and yes it should feel like work.

Marci Lall is a Womens Weight Loss & Body Sculpting Specialist. visit his website to get his FREE report "16 tips on how to get maximum weight loss and fitness results in minimum time"

http://www.lallpt.com

How To Maintain An Oil Burning Furnace

Oil burning furnaces need maintenance, more than gas or propane burning furnaces need. My own experience says you can go as long as 3 years without servicing it, but that is not advisable because sometimes the failure that results is severe (electrode insulator cracks, and you get the Bessemer Process on the electrode mount, which is to say, it melts). You are far better off cleaning them annually.

Cleaning and servicing them is no big deal, but it is messy since that soot is tarry and stinky.

Turn off power to the system. Remove the oil burner assembly, which will also have the electrodes on it. How you remove this assembly is very dependent on the particular unit; follow the oil line out of the pump to where it goes into the furnace housing and that will give you a good clue. Often (usually) you have to either remove or hinge back the high voltage transformer to get at this assembly.

When you have the burner out, remove the nozzle and replace it. Make sure you replace it with a nozzle with the same spray pattern, though you can vary the gallons per hour (GPH) rating to rate the furnace up or down in capacity.

Spray patterns are described as either solid, semisolid, or hollow - which refers to the distribution of oil in the spray cone, and have a specific angle which defines the angle of the cone of oil that is shot into the furnace. Solid is the most common pattern in my experience and 85 degrees is the most common angle that I have seen.

Wipe the whole assembly down to get the oil and soot off of it. You will need to position and gap the electrodes, but first do a visual inspection of them. If there are visible cracks in the insulators, replace them. If the ends are eroded and pitted, replace them. If in doubt, replace them.
 

There is a special tool you need to position and gap the electrodes; do not try to do this without that tool. It only costs about $4 at a supply house; I repeat DO NOT TRY TO DO IT WITHOUT THE TOOL!!!! You can have a fire, and in the worst possible case, an explosion that wrecks the furnace if you gap them badly enough. Make sure you gap and position the electrodes to conform to the particular spray pattern of the nozzle.

When you have done all this, take a rag and wipe down the air passages leading into the furnace. Wipe off the squirrel cage on the combustion blower. Wipe off the oil pump, the transformer, and the electrodes on the transformer. Also look for an optical flame sensor (some units have them) and wipe it clean.

Reassemble the furnace and fire it off. The flame should start instantly and quietly - no WHOOMP, no delays followed by a WHOOMP. If it is adjusted right, it will just start, immediately and quietly.

You then need to adjust the air to the flame. Open the inspection port so you can see the flame. Turn down the air until the flame becomes dull yellow and smoky, then increase the air until the smoke just vanishes and the flame "flower" is bright yellow. If the flame "flower" becomes too lean, it will be very bright and tinged with blue. At this point, you are sending too much air in and sending too much heat up the flue. When the inspection port is closed, if the flame roars and the furnace kind of "shudders" a bit, back off the air until that stops, then look again in the inspection port to make sure the flame is not smoky.

When all this is done, allow the furnace to reach operating temperature, then adjust the flue damper. The flue damper should swing freely and not catch, either open or close. If you cannot achieve this, replace it. When you have achieved this, adjust the damper so that it is swinging about half open when the furnace is running and at temp. When the furnace stops and the flue cools, the damper should swing shut on its own.

Beyond this, oil the pump motor, oil the blower motor, change the filters, tighten the belts, replace the oil filter, and you are done. You could also test pump pressure but that does not change unless either tampered with or if the pump is failing; I almost always ignore it.

Although this sounds like a lot, when you get good at it you will do it end to end in 1/2 hour. You will also stink of fuel oil when you are done, so wear old clothes.

Oh yes. Must not forget. You WILL spill a certain small amount of fuel oil over the course of this; have some kitty litter (oil dry) available.

Jim Locker holds advanced degrees in physics, has designed and developed computer systems and software for over 30 years, was a landlord for 20 years running up to a couple of hundred properties, and can build or fix just about anything. He presently works as an independent computer systems consultant and works for Just So Software, Inc. whose site is http://www.softwareforlandlords.com

How To Make A Beautiful Rosary Bracelet With Premium Furnace Glass Beads

We all have a vice. Mine happens to be this habit of buying every pretty bead I see. My very favorite beads are the blown furnace cane glass beads...particularly from US artists Mingo & Asho and David Christensen. They are positively stunning! I have now found a way to use the chub style furnace beads to make a rosary bracelet.

If you are not familiar with a rosary bracelet, or how to pray with a rosary bracelet, it consists of 11 beads, rather than the traditional 59 of a full rosary. The singled out bead is the Our Father bead, and the other 10 are for the decade of Hail Mary prayers. A rosary bracelet is a convenient way to carry your rosary with you, and is also an excellent conversation starter to share your faith.

To make an easy and beautiful furnace glass rosary bracelet you will need the following supplies:

10 FURNACE GLASS CHUBS

1 LARGE FURNACE GLASS CHUB

28* 4mm SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS

1 BUTTON CLASP

1 SMALL CRUCIFIX (with jump or split ring for hanging)

1 SMALL MIRACULOUS MEDAL (also with jump or split ring) (OR SAINT MEDAL OF CHOICE) 2 SILVER CRIMP BEADS

SOFTFLEX BEADING WIRE, MEDIUM STRENGTH

CRIMPING PLIERS

SCISSORS

*May vary depending on size of chubs and size of bracelet you are making.

Directions: Decide the length of your bracelet, and trim your beading wire, leaving enough for tying off at end. Add male end of clasp and secure with crimp bead. String in this order: 3 crystals, large furnace chub, 2 crystals, crucifix, 1 crystal, medal, 1 crystal, chub, 2 crystals, chub, 2 crystals chub...repeat this until you string last chub. String 3 crystals (or more if you need a bit longer). Add female end of clasp and secure with crimp bead.

Please visit my website for a picture of a finished bracelet, and links for bead supplies, magazines, and business software to help you make money with your bead projects.

Have a wonderful day!

Sheri Hill is a stay at home mother of three and a self-proclaimed bead enthusiast. Having recently joined the Catholic Church at he age of 41, she loves to share her faith with others.

Not Changing Your Furnace Filter Can Be Dangerous - Don't Become A Statistic

We have all heard the horrifying story about the family that just barely escaped with their lives, or even worse the family that died in their sleep, there lives ended by a silent killer. The silent killer is CO (Carbon Monoxide). If you don't change or maintain your furnace filter as recommended by the manufacturer you could be putting your family in danger. Your furnace filter is designed to remove dust from air as it passes through your furnace. The longer your furnace filter is installed the dirtier it becomes. This increased loading of the filter with dust causes a resistance to air flow through the filter and reduces air flow.

Gas and oil furnaces, like all heating and air conditioning equipment, are designed to have a certain amount of air flow at all times to operate properly and at highest efficiency. This air flow is measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). These appliances have a heat exchanger which has the heat source, flame, inside and the air passes over the heat exchanger on the outside. As the air passes over the heat exchanger it picks up the heat from the flame inside.

To get maximum efficiency from these systems the walls of the heat exchanger are made as thin as possible but not so thin that they cannot withstand the heat that they are subjected to during normal operation. This brings us back to the fact that these appliances are designed with minimum air flow requirements.

A furnace filter that remains in the system so long that it begins to negatively impact air flow can be dangerous. As the amount of air flowing over the heat exchanger declines, the operating temperature of the heat exchanger increases. This is when heat exchanger can crack because they are operating above design conditions. The hotter the heat exchanger gets the more it expands when heating and contracts as it cools during the off cycle. This expanding and contracting can become excessive and cause the metal of the heat exchanger warp or crack. A cracked heat exchanger can cause combustion gases to mix with the air in your home.

The good news is that properly designed furnaces have high limit switches that prevent excessive heating of the heat exchanger. These limit switches monitor the temperature at or near the heat exchanger and if the temperature reaches a predetermined set point, the unit will be shut off either until manually reset or until the limit switch senses that the temperature is within safe limits and resets automatically.

A furnace can operate a long time on an auto reset limit switch without anybody even knowing. This means that the furnace is operating at the limits of its design capabilities. Today most limit switches are the manual reset type, designed this way so that the furnace will not operate until it is serviced and the problem corrected.

Don't rely on these safety switches to protect you from disaster. These are mechanical devices which can and do fail to operate properly at times. So reduce your risk by maintaining your furnace filter properly. This means cleaning or changing your furnace filter regularly. It is always best to follow manufacturers guidelines.

Visit us for furnace filter reviews and articles to help you determine which furnace filter is best for your needs. Take part in surveys or have your questions answered

Tips For Home Furnace Maintenance

Tips For Maintaining Furnaces

As always most furnace manufactures and heating contractors will recommend having your home furnace checked by a qualified service technician prior to each heating season. A qualified hvac service man will have the experience and proper test interments to check things that you as a home owner may not, there for if you can afford it I agree this should be done.

This article is simply some tips that your average home owner can do to prevent problems though out the heating season. Any time your dealing with a furnace and natural or propane gas extreme caution must be taken. One important thing to remember is not to do anything to your furnace unless you have the power and gas shut off to it. Testing the furnace while it is running should only be done by qualified heating service technician.

First and the most apparent is replacing the air filter. I recommend using a quality pleated type filter. You may have to cross the type of filter you have to find a equivalent replacement. Most type of filters should at least be inspected monthly, some higher quality filters may last much longer depending on the type of atmosphere and the type of filter.

All high efficiency furnaces will have some type of drain trap and drain hose. Blockage in the furnaces drain system is one of the more common reasons for no heat calls. Try to remove and clean the drain trap and blow out all drain lines. House hold bleach can be poured through the drain lines to kill bacteria that will grow into a slime and restrict condensate flow.

Inspect the intake and exhaust pvc furnace pipes out side the house to be sure trees and shrubs have not over grown into them. If possible remove the air intake and exhaust pipe at the furnace and check for leaves or other things that may have gotten into these pipes. This is another very common problem that occurs in many heating systems.

Visually inspect wire connections for being lose or shorted. Inspect factory plug harness connections to be sure they are securely plugged together. You can vacuum out the inside burner and blower compartments to prevent this dirt from getting into your burners and blower motor. Some blower motors require oiling and some do not. Oiling both sides of the blower motor may need to be done by a technician as the blower assembly typically needs to be removed.

As far as cleaning the burners and inspecting the heat exchanger I again recommend having a qualified service technician do this. You will also want to have him clean the flame sensor. Many people mistake the Igniter for the flame sensor and end up breaking it. Your service technician should also check safeties such as limit controls and pressure switches.

There may not seem like a lot you can do your self but being educated on your heating system may save you a service call some day. When you do have a technician at your home be sure and ask as many questions about your system as possible. Knowing how your system is supposed to function may keep you from having to call someone next time there is a problem.

Information by Terry Manlick at HVAC Maintenance & Supplies www.mainsupplies.com

This artical and other hvac maintenace related articals can be read at HVAC Maintenance & Supplies. HVAC Maintenance related products such as air filters,V-belts, humidifier filters and coil cleaners can be purchased online at http://www.mainsupplies.com

Dirty Furnace Can Burn Your House Down and Make You Sick

What do you think happens when do not clean your furnace filter? Do you think your furnace is going to run forever on a dirty filter? What happens when it gets polluted with dirt, pet hair and the fan and motor can not run properly? If you answered yes or not to any of these problems, read on.

When your furnace or air conditioning combination is not maintained every six months or at least once a year dirt builds up in the motor. Your furnace is working but not putting out the heat. You will be pushing the thermostat up for more heat which adds to your heating bill.

When your furnace or air conditioning motor is clogged dirty debris from the furnace is circulated throughout your home. This is what you and your family are breathing. Sickness follows. If somebody in your family has been sick lately this may be creating the problem.

After a few years of this neglect what do you think happens? Your furnace will probably break. If you are lucky you might still be able to salvage your furnace by replacing a part.

At the time of the service call make sure you ask the service person to check to see if the furnace is clean and functioning properly. If the motor is dirty and clogged you have a serious problem. You could very easily have a fire with flames or a smoke fire that fills your home.

If you have a smoke fire the clean up is incredibly expensive and you and your family will probably have to vacate your home. If your fire is with flames your home will disappear along with everything that you own. Then you are your homeowners insurance company can butt heads and watch your stress and blood pressure escalate.

Save yourself and your family the stress, immense financial burden and clean your filters and have a licensed contractor check and clean your furnace and air-conditioning system.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles on several subjects.

Linda is the author of her first published book, “Ghost Kids Trilogy. "Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates’ Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

How To Appeal Medical Bills

Appeal and Collections Letters for Medical Providers

Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom

Computers Cause Pain on my website http://www.lmeckler.com/store

Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

Your Furnace Can Make You and Your Home Toast

How old is your furnace? When was the last time it was inspected by a professional? Did you know the Gas Company will inspect your furnace for free? When was the last time it was cleaned? Has it needed recent repairs? Is your furnace safe to use? If you have answered yes or not to any of the questions read on.

When you have an old furnace you need to give it tender loving care. It can heat up your home and never talk back or it can become a living nightmare in a matter of minutes.

There are many parts to your furnace that can lead to a speedy disaster for you and your family. I strongly advise you to have your furnace inspected now!

My sister’s old furnace was repaired a month ago. The part was replaced and heat once again filled her home. Less than a month later her furnace needed another repair. The repair was made and a few days later the smoke detector alarm started shrieking. Thankfully it was not a fire with flames but it was a vicious, black, thick smoke fire.

The fire would have killed her and all the family members within four minutes. Yes ladies and gentlemen that fast.

Please have your furnace checked by a professional immediately. Call your local Gas Company they will inspect your furnace for free and give you wonderful advice about purchasing a new one if needed.

Make sure you clean your filters. Maybe all your furnace needs is a good cleaning. There are professionals available to assist your every need.

Safety is the word of the day. A furnace is a wonderful comfortable, cozy, warm, snuggly heating system but it can turn deadly on you without warning.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles.

How old is your furnace? When was the last time it was inspected by a professional? Did you know the Gas Company will inspect your furnace for free? When was the last time it was cleaned? Has it needed recent repairs? Is your furnace safe to use? If you have answered yes or not to any of the questions read on.

When you have an old furnace you need to give it tender loving care. It can heat up your home and never talk back or it can become a living nightmare in a matter of minutes.

There are many parts to your furnace that can lead to a speedy disaster for you and your family. I strongly advise you to have your furnace inspected now!

My sister’s old furnace was repaired a month ago. The part was replaced and heat once again filled her home. Less than a month later her furnace needed another repair. The repair was made and a few days later the smoke detector alarm started shrieking. Thankfully it was not a fire with flames but it was a vicious, black, thick smoke fire.

The fire would have killed her and all the family members within four minutes. Yes ladies and gentlemen that fast.

Please have your furnace checked by a professional immediately. Call your local Gas Company they will inspect your furnace for free and give you wonderful advice about purchasing a new one if needed.

Make sure you clean your filters. Maybe all your furnace needs is a good cleaning. There are professionals available to assist your every need.

Safety is the word of the day. A furnace is a wonderful comfortable, cozy, warm, snuggly heating system but it can turn deadly on you without warning.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of my numerous articles.

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2007

Linda is the author of her first published book, “Ghost Kids Trilogy. "Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates’ Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

How To Appeal Medical Bills

Appeal and Collections Letters for Medical Providers

Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom

Computers Cause Pain on my website http://www.lmeckler.com/store

Check out my website http://www.lmeckler.com

Add On Wood Furnace – Are You Adding Heat or Headaches?

On the face of it, the addition of an Add On Wood Furnace to your existing furnace sounds like a great idea. If you cut, split and season your own firewood, you already know how much money you're saving over your propane poor neighbor.

Installing a wood furnace also tames the unavoidable messiness of burning wood by moving it to the basement.

Best of all, you can purchase a basic add on wood furnace for less than an inexpensive pellet stove.

However, the complex installation of an add on wood furnace goes a long way towards canceling out the benefits. When you install an add on furnace you not only have two furnaces; you now have two thermostats, two blowers, two plenums and two chimneys. Not to mention the connecting ductwork and dampers.

You don't have to be a home heating expert to imagine all the possible scenarios for failure.

As with any other type of furnace, the warranty and building codes requires installation by a licensed HVAC professional.

But this requirement alone doesn't necessarily guarantee your add on furnace will be installed for maximum efficiency. Simply because someone's been installing gas furnaces for 30 years doesn't mean their first attempt at installing an add on wood furnace will be a complete success.

Another problem that wood furnace manufacturers never address is a convenient way to store and transport a winter's worth of firewood without making hundreds of trips up and down the basement stairs.

Finding the least expensive way to heat your home will always involve trade-offs. As with an add on wood furnace, buying the cheapest appliance to burn the cheapest fuel is not without its drawbacks.

Improve your home with Alternative Heating

Got Trees? An Outdoor Wood Furnace Will Cut Your Energy Bills Down To Size

If you live in a suburban or rural area near a source of cheap wood, you could heat your home for the entire season for the cost of one month’s electric heat bill. An outdoor furnace requires less tending, eliminates respiratory problems caused by burning wood indoors, and keeps the wood burning mess outside.

There are a surprising number of outdoor furnace manufacturers with a wide range of styles and designs to accommodate different heating capacities and fuel sources. Some of these furnaces have the capacity (500k Btu) for commercial applications.

Burns Best makes a corn or wood pellet version. Taylor Waterstoves has a multi-fuel model that burns coal or wood. Hardy Manufacturing makes an all stainless steel furnace with a built in hot water exchanger.

One of the selling points of an outdoor furnace is the convenience of locating it near the wood fuel source. Since the water heated by the furnace is pumped to your home through insulated, underground piping, the furnace can be set up as close as 2 feet, or as much as 500 feet from your house.

All outdoor furnaces are designed to work with any existing heating system and can be thermostatically controlled. If you have a forced air system, you can use the existing duct work but you will need to install a water-to-air heat exchanger in your furnace. Your furnace is still available as a back up.

If you already have radiant floor heating, you would connect the underground feed from the outdoor furnace to the existing circulating pump.

For radiant baseboard heat, you can connect the piping directly to an existing boiler or install a water-to-water heat exchanger. By adding the water-to-water exchanger, you receive the added benefit of free hot water while the existing furnace functions as back up.

An outdoor boiler can even be used to heat your swimming pool, driveway, work shop, greenhouse, or multiple buildings.

The firebox designs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but all are constructed from stainless or carbon steel. Although each manufacturer claims to be using a grade of stainless steel superior to the competition, they all agree that heat transfer efficiency is almost 3 times better with 16 gauge stainless steel than with 3/8" carbon steel. An all stainless steel firebox also resists rusting and burnout that occur in standard carbon steel.

Some fire boxes are large enough to accommodate a 30” diameter by 72” log. The problem I would have is getting a log that size into the firebox. Normally, outdoor furnaces are loaded twice a day. Burn times per load vary from 12 to 96 hours depending on what you’re heating, the outside temperature and how well your house is insulated.

One trait all outdoor furnaces have in common is versatility. What ever your heating needs are or the type of fuel you burn, it’s possible to design a system for any heating scheme you can imagine.

Alternative-Heating-Info.com offers a unique look into geothermal heating and cooling, radiant heating, solar heating systems and pellet burning stoves