Archive for April, 2009.
Apr 30
Even if you owned a million dollar townhouse in Boston’s Back Bay, there just isn’t enough room on a 25′ x 100′ lot for a townhouse, small deck, a couple of parking spaces AND a closed loop geothermal heating system.
If you live in high humidity Alabama, the less expensive and environmentally friendly swamp cooler will never be a viable substitute for central Air Conditioning.
Only when you narrow down the choices for alternative heating or cooling based on where you live, can you begin to focus your time and energy on the most relevant, cost effective heating solution.
Urban Alternative Heating
Geothermal, outdoor furnaces and most wind power are not suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. Except for very small wind turbines (i.e., with rotors one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or more is desirable.
Wood burning stoves have been used in urban areas for as long as I can remember.I bought my first air tight stove in 1976. Corn and wood pellet stoves are quickly gaining acceptance as new installations or replacements for existing wood stoves.
One Connecticut pellet stove dealer I spoke with said he sold so many wood pellet and corn stoves last winter he was forced to temporarily close one of his two stores for lack of product.
An adaptation of the wood or pellet stove is the fully vented fireplace insert. They are
comparably priced to freestanding stoves and offer a simple way to turn an otherwise inefficient fireplace into a source of heat for multiple rooms.
Unvented gas log fireplaces or propane space heaters are less expensive to purchase and install but are controversial with respect to health risks and are prohibited in some localities. Make sure the unit you purchase has an ODS (Oxygen Depletion Sensor). This safety device turns off the heater when the oxygen in the room drops below 18%. (Normal is around 21%)
Decorative gel fireplaces are nice to look at, but aren’t considered legitimate heating devices.
Electric and hydronic (hot water) radiant heat are extremely versatile and can be installed anywhere. The hydronic application of radiant heat can be fueled by anything from corn to gas and can be adapted to heat driveways, hot tubs and of course, your home.
Solar for hot water is on the rise in urban areas. A neighbor of mine in the Port Norfolk section of Boston recently installed a solar array on the roof of his two family home. His contractor did a first rate job and it doesn’t detract from the visual appeal of his house at all. He also says his hot water bill now costs him “chump change”.
Let’s not forget the ever popular space heater. For many elderly homeowners who spend most of their time in one room of their home, a space heater is the least expensive way to supplement their conventional heating system.
Suburban Alternative Heating
Suburban lot sizes can run anywhere from ¼ of an acre to three acres. But even a quarter acre lot opens up the possibility of a vertical closed loop geothermal system.
A three acre lot will afford you the space to install a slightly less expensive horizontal closed loop geothermal system, a wind turbine or even an outdoor wood, pellet or corn furnace.
At approximately $5000, the outdoor furnace is your least expensive option. A quality 1,800 watt wind turbine and tower can be purchased for $7,000. If geothermal is your system of choice, a new 3,000 sq. ft. home can be heated and cooled for around $20,000. Rebates and tax credits could reduce this amount substantially.
For instance, if you partner with a program such as Energy Crafted Home in Connecticut, it’s possible to receive a rebate of $713 per ton of geothermal heating/cooling capacity. For the 3,000 sq. ft. home just mentioned, it would mean a rebate of $2,971.
Although wind, geothermal and outdoor furnace systems are more expensive than the typical $2000 wood pellet stove, they are very efficient and pay for themselves in only a few years.
The increasingly popular manufactured home is a growing segment of the suburban real estate market, and fire safety codes are very specific as to what you can use to heat your home.
Check with your local building department to find out exactly which alternative heating appliances are permitted before you start shopping for the best deal.
Rural Alternative Heating
Just as the sky and landscape open up in rural America, so do opportunities for alternative heating.
With so much room to work with, you could easily design a CHP (Combined Heat and Power Unit) and heat your home for 70% less than fuel oil.
A possible CHP for homeowners in the Corn Belt would be an outdoor corn furnace for heat and hot water, coupled with a wind turbine for electricity
If your property includes a shallow pond or lake, a closed loop geothermal system will heat and cool your home for the cost of electricity to operate a heat pump.
The choices for alternative heating are plentiful no matter where you live. It’s just a matter of knowing where you fit in.
Sam Streubel
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/alternative-heating-how-much-room-do-you-need-55652.html
Apr 30
From an auto pundit to a mechanic John Doe, everyone is very well aware of the wondrous benefits Mercedes Benz can provide. It is a total package, as proven by its dynamic components. From the grille to the trunk, the geniuses behind Mercedes Benz make it a point that each Benz is able to bring the passengers to total driving and traveling nirvana.
The lighting system, power windows, retractable sunroof, Air Conditioning unit, hydraulic braking and clutch system, are some of the parts that perform each function for that comfortable Mercedes driving experience. They are powered by a hefty supply of voltage to run smoothly. This comes from the battery, which is the soul of the carâs charging system. And for this supply to continue in the long run without draining the battery charge, the vital role of the Mercedes Benz Alternator is needed for this crucial process.
As mentioned before, the mother of the electrical system of the Mercedes Benz is the battery. Electrical and electronic components get their power through this. Starting the engine requires the charge coming from the battery. But eventually, not charging the battery will leave the battery drained in the long run. Not only will the electronic and electrical parts function properly, it will not take the Mercedes Benz to places.
This is where the Mercedes Benz Alternator comes into the picture. It will charge up the battery in order to give ample supply of electric charge to these components. Situated at the engine compartment of the Mercedes Benz, the Mercedes Benz Alternator is activated by an alternator or serpentine belt. This electromechanical device converts mechanical energy into alternating current while running. The principle here is to have a steady stream of voltage to supply the machine. This is imperative since batteries run out of charge especially during long travels. It is the chief source of energy, supplying the right amount of charge to the parts of the Mercedes Benz electrical system.
As the main function of the Mercedes Benz Alternator is to convert mechanical energy to alternating current, the belt of the engine drives the shaft of the Mercedes Benz Alternator. This produces electricity via the mechanical energy of the machine. Afterwards, this electricity is carried on through the diodes. This power is being utilized to charge up the battery at the same time as the other electrical components of the Mercedes Benz.
The Mercedes Benz Alternator works hand in hand with the battery and the regulator. After converting the mechanical energy into an alternating current, the Mercedes Benz Alternator charges the battery. It is stocked for starting up the engine and other electrical components. The regulator, meanwhile, maintains the designated amount of voltage.
Since the proper functioning of the electrical components weighs heavily on the charging of the battery while the engine is running, it is a must to conduct periodic check-ups and maintenance on the alternator to work efficiently in the long run. It may not be that easy to tell whether the Mercedes Benz Alternator is not working properly. There are times that there are noises heard coming from under the hood. Or the headlights become dim or intermittent. Though the battery may still run the vehicle sans the busted Mercedes Benz Alternator, still, it wouldnât last for a long time as the battery would be drained of its electric charge, eventually.
Lack of knowledge wonât be a hindrance in maintaining the functionality of the Mercedes Benz Alternator. Have a professional technician measure the voltage output of the alternator. If there is a low output, it may be time to replace it. It is alright to have the busted alternator fixed or rebuilt, but it wonât last for a long time. Buying a new Mercedes Benz alternator is a healthier alternative.
Dwyane Thomas
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/harness-the-power-of-the-mercedes-benz-alternator-113109.html
Apr 30
A portable air conditioner is a tool that you can’t afford to be without. These units allow you to take Air Conditioning benefits with you, no mater where you want to go. In fact, you can use them to help you to stabilize the air that you are breathing in temporarily or they can be used continuously. Unlike a large, household air conditioning unit, these are much more affordable to purchase as well as to run. You can condition the air in the areas that you live effectively, without having to worry about the overall cost of the rest of the home being conditioned (even when you aren’t in those areas.)
There are many different models of portable air conditioners on the market that you can take full advantage of. You’ll be able to purchase based on your own specific needs as well as your budget. What you should do, though, is to compare what each has to offer to you so that you can ultimately see improvements in your overall healthy and wellness.
For one thing, take the time to consider the area that the unit provides conditioning for. Getting a unit that provides for conditioning for that area only will save you time and money. You should also look at the warranty on the product, insuring it is as long as possible. Consider how often the unit will need to be emptied. Since most of the portable air conditioner options on the market will pull water from the air and then store it in a tank to keep the unit cool. But, these units will require the emptying of these tanks to keep them running.
Purchasing a portable air conditioner is an ideal tool to have. The best route to take is to insure that you provide for a high quality product that will offer you the ultimate benefits. Comparing the products that are available help you to make the right decision.
Kerry Rodden
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/what-to-look-for-in-a-portable-air-conditioner-91579.html
Apr 30
Photo slide show and video clips:
OMG this is one fine install here……NOT!
Check it out. You are looking at a new Trane XB13 Heat Pump. I had to go and do a WARRANTY leak check. First thing is (yet again) these guys install the access panel and refridgeration service ports into the corner where you have to practically lay on your side to access the refer and HIGH VOLTAGE! Not too mention if you EVER need to replace a TXV or Reversing Valve, you will need to uninstall the unit and remove it away form the wall!
(Yup these guys care more about speedy install than future service. Kind of the WOODEN nickel holding up the SILVER dollar if you ask me!)
Then I could not believe when I saw how cobbled up that suction line was to the new unit! Clearly the installers were short on copper that day. Company pushes the installers so hard to “Git-er-Dun” that they don’t ever DARE leave the job to get the correct part! (Again, WOODEN nickel holding up the SILVER dollar!)
Worse yet is no one in the office believed me about the suction line reducing form 7/8″ to 5/8″ back up to 7/8″. But as you will see here, photos and VIDEO speak a thousand words!!!
So who was lying suckers??? Yeah, thought so! 
I hope to GOD that someone in this city of Phoenix will stand up and please enforce HVAC companies to pull a PERMIT and get their sh*t inspected! The quality of work by residential HVAC contractors is so bad that it’s an insult to anyone who knows better, just to witness this kind of hackery!
Duration : 0:2:10
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: air, Arizona, AZ, canyon, City, conditioner, conditioning, grand, hacked, hvac, Peoria, Phoenix, state, Sun, trane, West, XB13
Apr 30
http://www.airconditioningfilters.net
If you want to learn more about marine air conditioners, home Air Conditioning systems, check out the url above
Duration : 0:1:57
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: air, cheap, conditioners, conditioning, Filters, home, Marine, system
Apr 30
Find the accumulator and understand what it does during car air conditioner repair; learn how in this free DIY auto-mechanic video from our expert in automotive AC repair and maintenance.
Expert: Mark Delgado
Bio: Mark Delgado is an ASE certified auto mechanic with more than 20 years of experience in automotive repair.
Filmmaker: john carstarphen
Duration : 0:1:15
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: air, auto, automotive, car, conditioner, maintenance, repair
Apr 30
PLEASE RATE and tell me what you think.
The Carrier heat pump at the nursing home where one of my classes takes place. The class does not have to do with nursing, it is just held in the basement of the building. The heat pump in the video is responsible for heating and cooling the basement and laundry room.
UPDATE: I have recently found out that this a straight-cool A/C unit with what is basically an electric furnace.
Duration : 0:1:22
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: air, basement, carrier, Central, conditioning, heat, home, nursing, pump
Apr 30
A solar energy fan pays for itself by
cooling your attic…which means
less Air Conditioning.
Less air conditioning lowers your
energy costs.
Duration : 0:2:6
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: Cool, fan, GFF, Keep, Solar
Apr 30
make your own air conditioner
Duration : 0:2:7
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: air, conditioner, fan
Apr 30
i have a trane heating and Air Conditioning my fan keeps running and will not shut off is it a relay if so where is it and what does it look like for i can replace it
I know this may sound silly, but have you checked the thermostat to make sure the fan has not been changed from "auto" to "on"?
If that's not the problem, there should be a switch where the power goes into your heat exchanger (which contains the fan.) Turn it off and wait a few minutes and turn it back on.
If it comes back on, there is more than likely a problem with the thermostat or the relay switch to the fan.
If it's the latter, it is a little too complicated to explain here, and would need a repair call unless you are good with electrical repairs.
