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

What You Should Look For When Buying an Outdoor Wood and Coal Furnace

Each day there are hundreds of individuals who consider purchasing an outdoor wood and coal furnace. Many times these individuals are looking to find ways to save money when heating their home. Purchasing an outdoor wood and coal furnace is a great way to do just that; however, there are number of factors that should be taken into consideration when buying one.

There are millions of Americans who are termed as impulse buyers. An impulse buyer is an individual who tends to buy things right on the spot. It is possible to get a great deal when buying on impulse; however, it is often considered a bad method of shopping. When a large item, such as an outdoor wood and coal furnace, is being purchased buying on impulse could be costly. For this reason, individuals who are interested in buying an outdoor wood and coal furnace are encouraged to research products and seriously think about their decision before making a purchase.

An outdoor wood and coal furnace is one of best outdoor home heating methods because it allows wood or coal to be used. When looking to buy an outdoor furnace there are many individuals who assume that they would want to use wood and wood alone to heat their home. The cost of an outdoor wood and coal furnace is not that much different from a traditional outdoor wood furnace. The price will be higher, but many individuals love the fact that they have a choice.

Once a specific type of outdoor furnace has been selected you will next need to find a model. There are a large number of individuals and companies who sell outdoor wood and coal furnaces. This means that you are likely to come across a wide product selection. The best way to select the best outdoor wood and coal furnace model is by knowing what each has to offer. Many online websites or printed catalogs should provide detailed information on the specific furnace models. You should use this information and apply it to what you will need in an outdoor furnace.

When buying an outdoor wood and coal furnace it is also likely that you will take the price into consideration. The price of an item is important; however, your purchase should not be solely based on it. Lower priced items do not always mean the better deal. It is important to remember that if you want a high-quality product you will have to pay for it.

By researching outdoor furnaces online you should be able to compare the quality of a product and the price at the same time.

The purchase of an outdoor wood and coal furnace is one that should not be taken lightly.

By not taking the time to research and understand outdoor wood and coal furnaces you could be putting yourself at risk for paying too much money for a poor quality furnace.

Knowing what you need in a furnace is the best way to ensure that you are getting a great value for your money.

Get a great deal on a outdoor wood and coal furnace