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Heating (Central) Topics

Click on the column headlines below to read the entire unedited columns and view the related illustrations. Most of my columns that you read in your newspaper or magazine have been edited due to space constraints.

Homeowner Benefits? - These are the potential benefits that a typical homeowner will realize by following the tips or by installing the home-related products that are discussed in this column.

312 - New heat pumps eliminate that chilly feeling and lower utility bills
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the most efficient, comfortable heat pumps, capacities, compressor types, output levels, blower speeds, efficiencies (HSPF and SEER), warranties, illustration and description of how a scroll compressor works, heat pump maintenance suggestions and a payback chart.
Homeowner Benefits: Lower electric bills, greater heat and cooling output efficiency

418 - Corn, pellet and wood-burning furnaces heat entire house conveniently
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 17 indoor and outdoor corn, pellet and wood forced-air furnace and hot water boiler manufacturers listing heat outputs, log sizes, hopper sizes, blower speeds, tanks capacities, features, prices, illustrations of many models, a wood heat evaluation worksheet and a firewood heat content chart.
Homeowner Benefits: Inexpensive whole-house wood heating, safe/clean outdoor units

421 - Mini-split ductless central air conditioners, heat pumps for efficiency, comfort
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 10 ductless mini-split air conditioners/heat pump systems, cooling outputs (SEER), heating outputs (HSPF), efficiency ratings, comfort features, zones available, illustrations of several models, typical installations and a chart on how much you will save by installing a mini-split system.
Homeowner Benefits: Install whole-house air-conditioning without ducts, zone cool home

425 - Easy-to-use smart thermostats save money, improve comfort
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 smart programmable thermostat manufacturers (25 models), time/temperature schedules, number of setback options, comfort/convenience features, installation instructions with illustrations, typical time/temperature family schedule chart and a setback saving charts.
Homeowner Benefits:Improve comfort, lower heating and air-conditioning bills

459 - New wood-burning stoves are efficient, clean and convenient to use
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 12 wood-burning stove/fireplace insert manufacturers listing combustion type, efficiency, max. burn time, heat output, features, prices and a firewood selector chart.
Homeowner Benefits: Heat one room or entire house, clean wood heat, good for environment

486 - Register/duct booster fans improve year-round comfort, savings
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 automatic register and duct booster fan, filter and decorator register manufacturers listing design types, dimensions of the units, fan air flow ratings, electricity usage, features describing automatic and special controls, decorative finishes (registers only), illustrations of many units, and prices.
Homeowner Benefits:Boost cooling output to a hot room (summer) or heat to a chilly room (winter), more attractive registers

490 - New gas and oil boilers for efficient, comfortable heat
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 13 super-efficient gas, propane and oil boilers, efficiency ratings, heating output capacities, dimensions, flue venting method (sealed, direct, natural), warranties, features, illustrations of several models, and a savings/payback chart.
Homeowner Benefits:For std. hot water and radiant floor heat, reduces heating bills, limitless hot water

503 - Household carbon monoxide detector/alarms protect your family
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of eight CO detector/alarms and tablet manufacturers (32 models) listing number of stages, power sources (plug-in, hardwired, battery), type of alarm (audible and/or visual) warranties, features, safety tips to help reduce CO levels, diagram showing potential CO sources in the home, chart showing effects of CO exposure, chart of health effects and sources of indoor combustion pollutants, illustrations and descriptions of various models.
Homeowner Benefits: Safety for your family from carbon monoxide poisoning

555 - Warm feet floor radiant heating kits for low utility bills, comfort
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 15 warm feet water radiant floor system and kit manufacturers listing tubing material types, diameter sizes available, comfort and design features, descriptions of the most common types of tubing materials and six typical installation methods for existing houses and new construction.
Homeowner Benefits: Most comfortable and efficient, quiet heat radiates up from floor

589 - Room zoning system saves money, improves family's comfort
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 13 home zoning systems, number of zones, type of dampers (internal, side or bottom mount), range size of dampers (rectangular of round), control/comfort features, a savings chart and illustrations and descriptions of several models and designs.
Homeowner Benefits:Even room temperatures, improved comfort, lower utility bills year-round

698 - New super-efficient two-stage and modulating gas furnaces save money
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 19 super-efficient gas (and propane) furnaces listing efficiencies, type of blower and speeds, number of heating stages, warranties, comfort features, chart to determine the annual savings, a size-estimating chart, and detailed illustrations of several models.
Homeowner Benefits: Improve comfort, cut heating bills in half, improve indoor air quality

699 - Small direct-vent gas, kerosene space heater for comfort and efficiency
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the most efficient direct-vent gas, propane, kerosene heater manufacturers (55 models) listing types of heater with illustrations (wall/floor mount, counterflow wall furnace, in-floor furnace, radiant console, through the window, dual side) efficiencies, heating capacity, sizes, comfort features and cost-to-use chart, chart on selecting the correct size heater, illustrations of selected models.
Homeowner Benefits: Heat chilly room, quiet operation, lower overall heating costs

713 - Mini-duct, pressurized central air conditioners for comfort, savings
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of mini-duct pressurized central air-conditioning system manufacturers, model names, ranges of cooling capacities, main duct and room outlet sizes, many system/component illustrations, installation details, efficiency/cost-to-use chart, and a list of manufacturers of the most efficient compatible outdoor compressor units.
Homeowner Benefits: Install whole-house air-conditioning without ducts, very quiet, even heating cooling

723 - New geothermal heat pumps for lowest utility bills, best comfort
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 single and multilevel geothermal heat pump manufacturers (26 models) listing efficiencies (cooling-EER, heating-COP), output levels, blower speeds, types (loop or DX), features, freon/R410A, many illustrations, closed loop earth coupled applications with descriptions and diagrams and a fuel cost comparison chart.
Homeowner Benefits: Lower utility bills year-round, more heat and cooling output, very quiet

733 - Duct cleaning can improve air quality and lower utility bills
Update Bulletin Description - List of 550 certified duct cleaning companies across the country, number of certified technicians at each company, descriptions of the three most common duct cleaning methods, and a checklist for selecting a duct cleaning company in your area.
Homeowner Benefits: Reduce allergies, better overall indoor air quality, improve furnace/air-conditioner efficiency

734 - Budget-priced 80% gas furnaces improve comfort, savings
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of twenty-two 80% gas furnaces, efficiencies, capacities, burners (one- or two-stage), blower speeds, heat exchanger types (tubular or clanshell), warranties, payback chart, illustrations; listing of flue liners for masonry chimneys, types (flexible or rigid), materials, sizes, illustrations and descriptions.
Homeowner Benefits: Good efficiency and comfort at a reasonable cost

778 - Electric radiant ceiling/wall heating kits are efficient, comfortable
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 electric radiant panel, film, cove, and quartz heater manufacturers listing panels sizes and cove heater lengths, wattage heat outputs at various settings, comfort controls and thermostat types available, design and installation features, illustrations of many systems and an electricity cost-to-use-per-month chart.
Homeowner Benefits:Lower electric bills, excellent comfort, good indoor air quality

804 - DIY gas furnace tune-up saves money long-term, increases life of unit
Update Bulletin Description - Do-it-yourself gas furnace tune-up guide, 55-point gas furnace troubleshooting guide showing sympton with possible causes and how to check or repair, energy saving tips, a furnace sizing chart, illustrations and explanation on haow a gas furnace works and definitions of various heating terms.
Homeowner Benefits:Lower heating bills, lower maintenance and repair costs

837 - Check the size of your furnace for maximum efficiency
Update Bulletin Description - Furnace sizing off-time and heating degree days (HDD) charts for 100 cities, a do-it-yourself home energy evaluation check list (house exterior, roof, attic, basement/crawl space, furnace, water heater, appliances, general) and energy audit worksheets.
Homeowner Benefits:Lower utility bills year-round, determine proper furnace size

888 - Electric warm floor radiant heating is comfortable, easy-to-install
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of nine electric warm floor systems for bathroom or any room showing descriptions of the design types, sizes of the mat, cable, films, etc., heating wattage outputs per foot length or sq. foot, automatic/thermostatic comfort controls, illustrations of many design types, and connection and under-tile installation instructions.
Homeowner Benefits: Excellent comfort, low installation cost, do-it-yourself installation, good indoor air quality

934 - Simple combination water/space heating systems save energy and money
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 16 manufacturers of combination integrated and modular water/air heating systems, new air handler units (single-room to whole-house sizes), super-efficient standard and high-output condensing design gas, oil and propane water heaters, heating and cooling capacities, features, size estimating chart and many illustrations of various models.
Homeowner Benefits: Lower space and water heating costs, less overall maintenance costs

950 - Central air cleaners are effective for allergies, improve efficiency
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 whole-house air cleaner maufacturers (35 models) listing filtration methods (self-charging electrostatic, pleated media, HEPA, electronic, UV purifying), dust arrestance ratings, features, prices, an allergen/design selector chart and illustrations and descriptions of selected models.
Homeowner Benefits: Reduced allergies, better indoor air quality, lower heating and cooling costs

961 - European masonry fireplaces are convenient and efficient
Update Bulletin Description - buyer's guide of 13 manufacturers and builders of true masonry and soapstone heaters, detailed descriptions of the interior structures, design types (many styles pictured), heating instructions with illustrations and explanations, a firewood selector guide, firewood tips and a hardwood fuel values chart.
Homeowner Benefits: Whole-house wood heating, low emissions, attractive addition to home interior

993 - Whole-house heat recovery ventilators bring in fresh air
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 13 whole-house HRV and ERV manufacturers listing model numbers, air flow rate ranges, energy transfer efficiency ratings, type of heat exchanger design (enthalpic or just heat/cool), electric power consumption, unique features, prices, illustrations of models and a chart of common indoor air contaminants/problems.
Homeowner Benefits:Bring fresh air into home efficiently, control indoor humidity

DIY Appliance/HVAC Maintenance Guides
This section lists do-it-yourself tips for maintaining and using10 major kitchen, heating and cooling appliances in your home. This keeps them running efficiently with a longer life.