Making Improvements to Your Home Fireplace
One of the nicest home accessories for people leaving in the northern hemisphere or in a place that has cold temperatures for several months out of the year is having a home that has a fireplace. However, like many people sometimes having something in your home too long becomes boring and you people desire a way to change the look or improve the look of the home. Unfortunately, fireplaces are not like flooring or walls where they are easy to either paint or replace with new flooring to get the new look and feel while refreshing the home.
The ability to modify a fireplace consists of changing three things that do not cost an arm and leg. One change that can be made is either replacing or modify the fireplace mantel; the next change may consist of updating your fireplace doors and screens. Making some of these changes can drastically improve the look of your fireplace while adding value to your home.
The fireplace mantel can either be replaced or can be sanded down and stained to provide an updated look. This assumes your fireplace mantel is wood and can actually be sanded down. You could also opt to entirely remove the mantel altogether and replace it with mantel shelf that just sits directly above the fireplace is primarily used to set candles on the mantel or can be used to hang stockings during Christmas and is considered the traditional fireplace mantel and is typically raw in shape and form.
However, you can also elect to get a little fancier and replace the entire mantel with Alexandra mantel which consists of typically encasing the whole fireplace on both sides while still producing the flat surface above the fireplace where you could still put candles or other decorations. However, this type of mantel is typically used with fireplace inserts or a vent less fireplace.
Replacing fireplace doors is fairly easy and the second most expensive aspect of updating the fireplace looks. These doors are available in several types of styles and can be purchased to fit most sizes from 37″ in width to 29 inches in height and the doors can be purchased in brass, silver or jet black and often doors that will be airtight to protect your home from the fire after you turn in for the night while the fire burns itself out.
Fireplace screens are the least expensive replacement piece when updating a fireplace and are typically the easiest piece to replace. Depending on your desire and your current style of screen you either buy a fireplace screen that sits on the hearth of the fireplace and will still protect sparks from exiting beyond the hearth onto the carpet. You can purchase three fold screens that will surround the fireplace and offer several types of colors and styles or you can purchase a brass or bronze screen for fairly cheap that attaches behind your fireplace doors and offers the best protection to preventing sparks from entering the living area where the fireplace is located.
Updating the look and feel of a fireplace is fairly simple and can be as expensive as two thousand dollars as cheap as two hundred dollars depending on your budget. You can typically find most replacements to fit your size in several stores like home depot or Lowes or order replacements online at a reasonable price. Finally, replacing the mantel can be the most expensive with fireplace doors being the second most expensive with fireplace being the least expensive.
Dennis offers home improvement tips to increase the value of the home at a moderate costs. Updating things as simple as a Fireplace Mantels or changing your fireplace doors to improve the look of your fireplace.
Gas Ventless Heaters – Three Advantages of a Gas Ventless Heater
Gas ventless heaters are one of the heating implement that works under a new technology. It is made to mimic a fireplace. The only difference is that they are smaller and operate mechanically. Although this may be the case, most gas ventless heaters can provide warmth that is equivalent to what a conventional fireplace can give. The difference between the two is that gas ventless heaters do not need any vent to release its by-product (smoke) as there is none in the first place. Here are the three advantages of owning one for your home.
Portable
Unlike large fireplaces, this particular heater is very portable. Some of these heaters have wheels on them to allow mobility from one place to the other. This is what a fireplace falls short on since it is built-in to the wall. On the other hand, since they are portable, they do not require too much space in your home which is the second advantage to owning one.
Space-saver
This particular type of heater is not only efficient; it also saves a lot of space. This means that people who live in small apartment units can live comfortably in the absence of fireplaces. Since it is saves a lot of space, you do not need to worry where to put it. In fact, you can just stack it on one corner and let it work on its own.
Fuel Efficiency
If you want your gas heater natural, this particular type of heater usually operates on natural gas, propane or any low-odor emitting gases. They have efficient heating implements that burn the fuel effectively resulting to zero production of soot and other by-products of combustion. Compare it with fireplaces that seem to produce soot and ash which is a tell-tale sign that the combustion process is not effective.
Willia Miller is a ventilation and heating expert who shares her reviews and tips on finding the best space gas heaters for your home. On NaturalGasSpaceHeaters.com, you’ll catch more information on the related content.
Things to Remember When Installing a Heat Pump
More and more people are looking at saving energy and money and installing a heat pump is one of the different options one can turn too. The popularity of this device is heightened mainly because of its dual feature, acting as a cooling device and a heater simultaneously.
Installing a heat pump at home then will not help you maintain the temperature requirement that you want especially with changing weather but doing so will spare you from so much financial investment, especially that you need invest on two separate units.
So once you have a unit based on your needs, it is then important to look into how you are going to start using it. Here are some things to be reminded of when you start using the unit.
Seek a professionals help – although you as the owner will have to check on your unit from time to time, should be equipped with the basic guidelines on how your unit operates. You will still have to seek the help of a professional for installing a heat pump.
Finding a good technician will make the installation far easier and convenient on your end. And since you are not technically equipped unlike these guys, you will surely pick-up the best tips from these professionals. It might not hurt your pocketbook too much then if you invest more on having someone who really know the smaller pieces of the picture.
Secure appropriate permits - this is also quite significant especially for the unit that will require the use of a standing water source. It is significant that you pay attention to the requirement in terms of environmental compliance and the like. It is much better to play safe than encounter future problems.
Site selection – prior to purchase, it is very important that you identify the site where you plan to place your unit; this is more important for geothermal heat pumps. The prospective area where you are installing a heat pump should be something that will conform to the requirement of the design you chose.
Your guide to information on various types of heat pumps including heat pump troubleshooting. Visit our site today for more information before making a purchase. heatpumpbusiness.com
By M. Applebaum
The Benefits of Space Heaters
Space heaters are often a great way to reduce utility bills. The benefit of using this type of heating system is that it is focused. An individual does not have to heat an entire house when family members are in one room of the home. When comparing heaters, it will be important to consider the use that it will be receiving and whether or not there are young children in the home.
Most of these types of heaters have an automatic shut off if they are knocked over. However, some heater coils get so hot that a child can easily get burned if they touch the heater when it is on. The heaters sit close to the floor and heat rises in the room where they are being operated.
Using ceramic heaters reduces many of the safety issues that arise with other types of heaters. These heaters have ceramic coils and plates with aluminum baffles that control the flow of heat. Many of the systems are designed so that the heat can be directed in a specific directions throughout a room.
Larger units have oscillating fans that send heat through a room evenly. The temperature control on the unit will automatically shut off the heating elements when the room heats. Many of the units also can be programmed to automatically shut-off after a certain number of hours. In this way, there is no danger of the unit becoming overheated at night.
The units are very lightweight and portable. They use much less electricity than other types of heaters and provide a greater amount of even heat. When using the heaters, positioning in a room can make a great deal of difference in the effectiveness of the warming a room.
When choosing the heater that will be most effective for your needs, comparing the levels of heat that are produced and the ability of the fan to circulate warm air through the entire room will be very helpful. There are many safety standards for space heaters and most manufacturers design and build the heaters to exceed these standards.
Reading consumer reviews on the space heaters you are considering will also be helpful. The reviews will give you an accurate gauge of the effectiveness of each of the heaters and how well they function in specific conditions and environments. These heaters will last for several years when they receive proper maintenance and care. Reading and following the manufacturer’s instructions regarding care of the heaters will assure that your heater is functioning properly at all times.
Space heaters offered on this website is great for any room whether bedroom, sitting room, or garage. High quality Ceramic heaters available here can cater to the requirements of small and large families irrespective of their location and size, a perfect tool for any situation.
How To Beat Rising Heat Costs With A Portable Space Heater!
If you own or rent a house or duplex, or pay for gas heating for your apartment unit chances are you’re having a tough time making ends meet. With crude oil prices recently exceeding $100 US dollars per barrel, the cost of heating our homes shows no sign of declining in the near future. I for one just can’t afford to shell out four hundred dollars or more every month just to keep from freezing, so I’ve turned to small portable space heaters as a working solution.
This solution does lower my monthly heating costs, but I still have safety concerns. The Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that 25,000 fires a year can be linked to these appliances, resulting in more than 300 deaths and 6,000 injuries requiring hospital care. This kind of puts me between a rock and a hard place, because I just can’t afford not to be using an alternate form of heating.
I have two rooms in my duplex that I use frequently, the living room where I study and the bedroom where I sleep. So why heat the whole house higher than I need at an exorbitant cost. I bid on two heaters on e-bay, and ended up winning both, which works out perfect because I can keep both rooms I use warm and not waste energy (and money) warming hallways, entryways, kitchen, and the extra room I use for storage. I just set the thermostat high enough to keep the pipes from freezing, and turn on heat only where I need it. I suppose that’s a bit environmentally friendly as well.
I did have safety concerns at first. Fortunately the portable space heaters I purchased have built-in tip-over and temperature cutoff sensors, so if the unit is knocked over or overheats for any reason it turns off by itself. Also important is a grill enclosing the heating element (oil and water cooled heaters may not need this as they operate at a lower temperature) and making sure to use the proper extension cord (14 ga. or higher).
It’s different than I’m used to but I suppose we all have to change with the times; save energy and money wherever we can. A couple of inexpensive small portable space heaters ebay I bought on have cut my heating bill in half, and for me that’s the difference between breaking even each month or not.
The best place I can think of to buy small portable heaters and portable space heaters would probably be ebay. You can find a list of portable heaters for sale on ebay at http://smallportableheaters.com
Life Without Central Air Conditioning Is A Less Than Existence
A central air conditioning system for the modern home isn’t considered a luxury any more. Only people from generations past still hold this belief. So what changes have occurred to make the average home a refuge from the temperature highs and lows?
Increased efficient manufacturing processing as well as offshore placement of the facilities have dramatically improved the manufacture of machines as well as increased the technical ability of the air conditioner. Modern central air conditioning systems are able to adjust to temperature fluctuations, keep operating at extreme temperatures and deliver all this at a less cost to the home owner.
Having decided to install a central air conditioner in their home most owners are at a loss to know where to start in their decision process. This situation is not alleviated by the plethora of detail and technical jargon being poured onto the decision maker. But if you can find the right company to align yourself with the process is not as dire as one would think.
Which central air conditioning system is right for you?
Everyone’s home is different, and as a result everyone’s quoted price and type of unit will differ slightly. But some aspects will always be the same. Knowing how many rooms are to be conditioned, how large the rooms/house is, and where in the world you are living are some of the basics that will aways be taken into account in the quoting process.
So which contractor should you choose?
Air conditioning contractors are all over the place, it seems that when you finally decide to allocate the funds to the project you start to see them everywhere. But which are good and which will offer you a white elephant. Firstly your best option is to never go with the smallest company and the cheapest quote. Although this is a given to most people it can be alluring to some to see the low installation quote being offered by some companies. Do not be fooled by this. Secondly, try to get some testimonies from people who have already been where you are now, but do not accept a competing company’s customer testimony as it will always be a glowing account of a perfect trouble free installation. What you need is someone who had a few problems and how the installation company responded to them.
After all the dust has settled the customer should have an environment in their home that will provide comfort and respite from the ravages of the climate we live in today. Central air conditioning industry is a billion dollar industry which employs many thousands of people around the globe. It will always be around doing it’s best to gain your respect and patronage. If you have decided to install a ducted system in your home do it right from the beginning and all the rest will fall in place from there.
Save yourself money and frustration. Do the homework before making any decision to install a central air conditioning system. There are many pitfalls to cause your wallet harm, protect yourself with knowledge, forewarned is forearmed.
Portable Infrared Heaters – An Introduction To Infrared Heaters
One of the best, most highly efficient sources of heating is the portable infra-red heaters. These types of heaters can be used for many different situations that require heating. They can be used for such applications as heating commercial and industrial buildings as well as area and spot heating. They have also been used for process heating ovens as well as broiling commercial food.
It has been proven that using such heaters can dramatically lower energy costs for many commercial buildings. One manufacture installed their product into one of there warehouses for a single heating season. Prior to the installation the energy costs were up to $106,000 per year but after the use of the heaters the energy cost dropped to just $27,000 per year. That is a huge savings that cannot be ignored. With statistics like this, portable infra-red heaters practically sell themselves. It shows that the money paid for the heaters will be made back many times over in just the first year of using such heaters.
There are more and more companies as well as people jumping on the band wagon of portable infrared heaters as they realize the many benefits that the heaters can provide. Generally, most people and companies can expect to see a 30 to 50% drop in their fuel consumption with a portable infrared heater then with the typical conventional heating systems.
How Do Portable Infrared Heaters Work
So just how do these wonders of man kind work? An infrared heater is a unit which has a higher temperature then bodies of substance around it. It transfers its energy to things that have lower temperature by electromagnetic radiation. It depends on the temperature of the body that is emitting the energy as to what the wavelength of the infrared radiation will be. It can range from 780 nm to 1nm. Amazingly enough, there does not need to be a medium or contact between the two items for the energy to transfer.
There is a classification of the infrared heaters for the wavelength bands where the emission of energy is concerned. 780 nm to 1400 nm is the range for the short or near infrared. These are named bright, as the emitters actually emit a glare that is visible to people. 1400 nm to 3000 nm is considered medium infrared and dark emitters or far infrared is for everything that is over 3000 nm.
Benefits of Portable Infrared Heaters
There are many benefits to using portable infrared heaters. One of the top reasons is the efficiency of the infrared heaters. Technically the efficiency of these heaters is considered to be 100% as it takes electrical energy and converts nearly 100% of it to heat in the filament. Once the heat is generated, the filament then emits the heat by the infrared radiation to the object to be heated. This is done either by a reflector or it can be done directly to the object. There is a bit of energy that is lost during this process but it doesn’t take away from the performance of the heater.
An infrared heater counts on matching up the ranges of wavelengths with the absorption range of the material or matter that is going to be heated. A good example of this is would be the absorption range for water, which reaches its crest or peak at around 3000 nm. So what exactly does that mean? It means that the carbon infrared heaters (with medium wave emission) are absorbed better with coatings that are water or water based rather than the short wave infrared radiation or NIR. This is also the same for various types of plastics such as polyethylene or even PVC. Both of these plastics have an absorption peak at around 3500 nm. It is important o be sure that you get the right range of infrared for the type of object that you are heating. Some metals will only absorb with the short wave and others with the medium and far infrared. So you need to be sure that you check to make sure you have the right range for your needs. The more you match it up the more efficient your heater will be.
Portable infrared heaters can be used to cure coating as well as to heat plastic prior to shaping or forming it. They can be used to weld plastic and to process glass. You can also use then for browning your food and to cook the food as well. These types of heaters have also been used to keep animals warm in places such as zoos and vet clinics. There are many used for the portable infrared heater. You can make your choice of which one to use.
Chad Brosius is an Earth/Space High School Science teacher who has been involved in the alternative energy field for over 1 year. Articles such as this can be seen at http://alternative-energy-resources.net
Tips On Buying A Bathroom Heater
On those chilly winter mornings, don’t you always wish that after leaving your snug bed you could walk into a warm, cozy bathroom as well? Well there are many options available today to make your wish come true. With Bathroom Heaters, you can keep your bathroom warm all day.
If temperatures plummeting is a natural occurrence where you stay, a bathroom heater has to be an essential component of your home. A good heater not only provides warmth to keep you from catching a cold when you are undressed or wet from bathing or taking a shower, it also provides comfort and is necessary for general well being and health.
If you have a heater in the bathroom, it can cut down on the chill in the air, but it can also help to evaporate the humidity or moisture that collects in bathrooms. Due to this, it helps to prevent bacteria and mold from growing in your bathroom. It also helps to keep your bath linens from getting mildewed when you leave them behind by drying them out while it dries out the rest of the bathroom.
Bathroom Heaters are available in a far greater range of styles than most homeowners realize. These come as overhead or wall mounted heaters. The Overhead ones are the standard fare and usually consists of a radiant heater, fan and light combination. For most people these units are more than sufficient for their bathroom heating needs. Bathroom Wall heaters are ideal if you’re looking for something more stylish. These thin, contemporary heaters can be installed on any wall, anywhere in the room.
Radiant heat models are most common, though there are standard Electric Bathroom Heaters available as well. These heaters are great for generating heat in specific areas, like the toilet, and for heating up floors if you get a model with a fan that distributes heat downward. Towel Warmers are essentially an added accessory to your bathroom. There are a number of attractive and luxurious heaters that double as towel warmers. It’s like having a towel fresh out of the dryer every time you hop out of the shower!
A Masterful Torch is a new, innovative kind of heater for bathrooms. This compact heater can be installed sufficiently high enough to be out of reach of children and is particularly suited to positioning above mirrors or vanity units to prevent fogging and radiate heat downwards for personal warmth.
You can then control all heaters from the one heater by way of a master control.
Once you find a safe way to heat your bathroom, you will also want to check with local building codes or rules, to make sure that yours complies with any regulations regarding how bathroom heaters should be installed or work. It’s always advisable to consult a professional to get it installed, as most heaters involve either electricity, which interacts dangerously with water, or with gas or other rather hazardous chemicals that need to be properly ventilated for good safe use. Talk to an electrician or contractor to make sure your new heaters are installed safely and correctly. Be it cold nights or chilly winter mornings, you can’t beat a good bathroom heater when it comes to enhancing your bathroom experience.
Any heater allows for a room to hold more moisture so your mirrors won’t fog up as quickly, and heater/fan combos do a nice job removing excess moisture from your home. In the end, however, the primary reason to install a Bathroom Heater is personal comfort. With that in mind, think about which creature comforts sound best to you so you can make your bathroom experience as pleasant as possible. You may want to browse through the Heater Store to have a look at the choices available.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Heater
Outdoor lifestyles are a trend that is catching on fast among the urban population. Being close to nature has always been the preferred break in today’s busy routine and there’s no greater luxury if you can enjoy the outdoors without having to leave your home. A lot of us like to relax and de-stress while sitting out on our patio. Now, there are options available to keep us warm and cozy, even at night. We can host a party out on our patio or porch and keep our guests warm as toast with an Outdoor Heater.
Depending on the environment or area that you want to heat, there are different types available. These can be used for a hoard of purposes. The ones for homes will provide warmth and comfort as the sun goes down. There are elegant, stunning, rustic, simplistic and even spectacular Patio Heaters for you to choose from. There are also those that run on electricity, most suitable for an enclosed porch. There are mainly two categories of Electric heaters- Portable and Permanently mounted ones. They both work by using radiant heat to directly warm people and objects and not only the air around them.
Portable Heaters are great to have around for warming up any enclosed area- be it a porch or a garage. These can be moved around easily and used wherever they are needed. The Permanently mounted ones, on the other hand, require a bit of planning and some professional assistance with mounting to make sure they are installed to code. These noiseless units are installed out of reach of pets and animals and quickly & effectively heat up an area.
Another type of Outdoor Heaters are the ones that use Gas. These are available with options of Natural Gas and Propane Gas. Propane Gas Heaters can heat up to around 175 square feet area and are very stylish, so they can add a touch a elegance to any type of décor. Quality units range between 40,000 and 46,000 BTUs of power. These run on the same gas tanks as many outdoor barbecues. Natural Gas units, on the contrary, are directly connected to natural gas lines and therefore, never have to be refilled with fuel. They are usually permanently mounted to decks or patios so you need to be careful about choosing the right spot for your heater. These ones are a little more streamlined than those that use propane, as they do not house a tank.
There are certain factors to be kept in mind while shopping for an Outdoor Heater. These mainly include it’s utility, power, space, safety, looks and colors. There are different types for residential and commercial purposes. As far as power is concerned, you need to make sure which type- Electric or Gas- will be best suited for you. Also, a heater warms only a limited space, so you may even need to buy two if your porch is too big. Safety is most crucial before you settle for an Outdoor Heater. Make sure there is an automatic shut-off system installed in them that will automatically turn it off if it gets too warm.
Outdoor Heaters are now available in a choice of finishes and designs. Stainless steel is a good option for those who tend to leave them outside as there is no fear of corrosion or rust to spoil its sleek look. Powder coated patio warmers are best protected with a full length cover to keep the weather off. Another option is a hammered finish that comes with a wide choice of colors to choose from.
Outdoor Patio Heaters work quickly and continue to last if they are of good quality. You can enjoy sipping your favorite cup of coffee outside your home even when the weather is freezing. To get some good deals in this category, you may want to visit the Heater Store. Now you can turn the upcoming winter season into a time of refuge in warmth and comfort.
Portable Infrared Heaters – An Introduction To Infrared Heaters
One of the best, most highly efficient sources of heating is the portable infra-red heaters. These types of heaters can be used for many different situations that require heating. They can be used for such applications as heating commercial and industrial buildings as well as area and spot heating. They have also been used for process heating ovens as well as broiling commercial food.
It has been proven that using such heaters can dramatically lower energy costs for many commercial buildings. One manufacture installed their product into one of there warehouses for a single heating season. Prior to the installation the energy costs were up to $106,000 per year but after the use of the heaters the energy cost dropped to just $27,000 per year. That is a huge savings that cannot be ignored. With statistics like this, portable infra-red heaters practically sell themselves. It shows that the money paid for the heaters will be made back many times over in just the first year of using such heaters.
There are more and more companies as well as people jumping on the band wagon of portable infrared heaters as they realize the many benefits that the heaters can provide. Generally, most people and companies can expect to see a 30 to 50% drop in their fuel consumption with a portable infrared heater then with the typical conventional heating systems.
How Do Portable Infrared Heaters Work
So just how do these wonders of man kind work? An infrared heater is a unit which has a higher temperature then bodies of substance around it. It transfers its energy to things that have lower temperature by electromagnetic radiation. It depends on the temperature of the body that is emitting the energy as to what the wavelength of the infrared radiation will be. It can range from 780 nm to 1nm. Amazingly enough, there does not need to be a medium or contact between the two items for the energy to transfer.
There is a classification of the infrared heaters for the wavelength bands where the emission of energy is concerned. 780 nm to 1400 nm is the range for the short or near infrared. These are named bright, as the emitters actually emit a glare that is visible to people. 1400 nm to 3000 nm is considered medium infrared and dark emitters or far infrared is for everything that is over 3000 nm.
Benefits of Portable Infrared Heaters
There are many benefits to using portable infrared heaters. One of the top reasons is the efficiency of the infrared heaters. Technically the efficiency of these heaters is considered to be 100% as it takes electrical energy and converts nearly 100% of it to heat in the filament. Once the heat is generated, the filament then emits the heat by the infrared radiation to the object to be heated. This is done either by a reflector or it can be done directly to the object. There is a bit of energy that is lost during this process but it doesn’t take away from the performance of the heater.
An infrared heater counts on matching up the ranges of wavelengths with the absorption range of the material or matter that is going to be heated. A good example of this is would be the absorption range for water, which reaches its crest or peak at around 3000 nm. So what exactly does that mean? It means that the carbon infrared heaters (with medium wave emission) are absorbed better with coatings that are water or water based rather than the short wave infrared radiation or NIR. This is also the same for various types of plastics such as polyethylene or even PVC. Both of these plastics have an absorption peak at around 3500 nm. It is important o be sure that you get the right range of infrared for the type of object that you are heating. Some metals will only absorb with the short wave and others with the medium and far infrared. So you need to be sure that you check to make sure you have the right range for your needs. The more you match it up the more efficient your heater will be.
Portable infrared heaters can be used to cure coating as well as to heat plastic prior to shaping or forming it. They can be used to weld plastic and to process glass. You can also use then for browning your food and to cook the food as well. These types of heaters have also been used to keep animals warm in places such as zoos and vet clinics. There are many used for the portable infrared heater. You can make your choice of which one to use.
Chad Brosius is an Earth/Space High School Science teacher who has been involved in the alternative energy field for over 1 year. Articles such as this can be seen at http://alternative-energy-resources.net