Gas Heaters: What Type Will Work In Your Home

Gas heaters are available as vented and vent free models. Using a gas heater in a room that just doesn't warm up, even with a central heating unit, is just one of the reasons they are so popular. Generally they will heat the space faster, use less energy and allow you to keep the desired temperature more easily than a central unit. And, in case of a power outage a gas heater will continue working, though if you have a thermostat attached, that will not work without power.

Vent free or ventless heaters do not vent air to the outside of the house, nor do they draw outside air into the house for combustion. Air needed for combustion is drawn in from the room where the unit is housed, thereby losing virtually no heat in the process, and allowing it to operate at 99.9% efficiency.

Vented gas heaters draw their oxygen from outside the home and remove carbon monoxide through exhaust pipes. Because much of the heat goes up the vent, they are not as efficient as vent free models.

As far as the safety of vent free units, first of all, a proper installation by a certified technician is key. Because these heaters do create carbon monoxide, why risk your life and that of your family by having a gas heating system installed by someone not qualified. Vent free units come with an oxygen depletion sensor which alerts you when the level of oxygen drops to a dangerous point. Along with this safety feature, you can protect yourself by having a carbon monoxide detector, making sure it is in good working order. Please be sure to check you local codes before purchasing a vented or vent free gas heater as there are some states and municipalities which do not allow vent free gas heaters or have limitations on their use.

For example, the Empire DV-210-SG vent free gas heater, where codes permit, can be used in bathrooms, and the SR-10 is allowable for bedroom use. Vented Gas heaters are frequently used in garages and workshops. Some can be mounted on the ceiling, like the Modine Hot Dawg Garage Heater. Available in several BTU sizes, they are certified for residential, industrial or commercial use.

If you are still unsure which option is best for your needs, call Total Home Supply at 877-847-0050 and talk to our knowledgeable staff for some guidance.

Gas Logs: Starting the Discussion

October is here, the season is changing, and it's time to think about the upcoming cold weather. Since Total Home Supply is known for having the answers to our customers questions, we are now getting a lot of queries about home heating.

Vented Vs. Vent Free: Gas fireplace logs are manufactured in two varieties: Vented and Vent Free. Vented Gas Logs need to be used in a fireplace designed to burn wood. These logs, as the name states, must be vented to the outside air. The flame is generally higher and more realistic than vent free logs, however they do not distribute heat as well as vent free logs. The reason for the higher flame is they burn more BTUs of gas. Unfortunately, because they must be used with the damper opened, most of that heat goes up the chimney.

Vent Free Gas Logs can also be used in a regular chimney, or they can be used in a vent-free firebox which does not vent to a chimney. Vent free logs use less fuel than vented, and the heat is dispersed throughout the room more efficiently because if the fireplace has a damper, it is closed. And if a firebox is used, there is no damper. Vent free gas logs are generally 99.9% efficient, with all that heat radiating through the space, not up the chimney. For all the pros of vent free gas logs, there are also a few cons. One of the by-products of burning gas cleanly is water, so you will be adding humidity into your home. To replace some of the oxygen the burning gas is removing from the air, it is recommended you periodically open a window to vent some oxygen into the house. This also helps to eliminate the odor emitted from the burning fuel. The minimum clearances to combustibles differs in vent free gas logs to either wood or vented logs. You should check the User’s Manual before installation to be sure the placement of your stove or fireplace is adequate. Vent free systems include Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS) to automatically turn off the heater if the oxygen level in the room decreases to an unsafe level. Vent free systems are designed to provide supplemental heat and should not be used as a primary heat source.

Replacing Gas Logs: If you have an existing gas fireplace and need to replace the logs, there are some things to consider. Generally you cannot change the manufacturer of the existing logs. The reason for this being the burner and the logs are designed as a unit. Different logs sets are made for specific burner types. Using logs that are not designed for the burner can make it overheat, produce soot or create a hazardous carbon monoxide situation. Even within a specific manufacturer, not all logs can be interchanged. You must only use logs that are rated acceptable with the burner currently installed.

Next Discussion: Types of burners and the differences in the materials used in creating gas logs.

VTAC: The Future of Commercial HVAC

For years, the standard in hotel and other commercial HVAC has been the Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) system. A large unit, with both heat and cool options, it is normally found under the windows of the room. While the units are fully capable of providing both options for ventilation, the unit itself takes up valuable square footage and creates window treatment/decorating challenges.

Technology has now taken a huge leap forward with the creation of the Vertical Terminal Air Conditioning (VTAC) system. The VTAC system is a through-the-wall installation, but instead of taking up space in the room, it is hidden inside an enclosure which looks like a closet. The footprint of these units is generally about 24" square. The unit is controlled with a wall thermostat, and some units like the Amana VTH18 are able to be controlled by a central location, like the front desk of your hotel. This allows the unit to be shut down when the room is not in use, saving energy. Units are available in several BTU sizes with either an electric heat strip or a heat pump with electric heat options.

Total Home Supply is now featuring the VTAC lines of Friedrich, Amana and GE, with all the heat/cool variations and available options. If it's time for a new HVAC system for your hotel, assisted living center, office, motel or classroom, the VTAC system is an innovative new option.

Minisplits: Cooling, Energy Saving and Quiet

Is your Central AC system giving you signs that it is ready to be recycled into scrap metal? Are you tired of the incessant noise of your Window Air Conditioner? Maybe it's time for a Ductless Split System.

While used worldwide for over 40 years, their popularity in the USA has been making great strides. Because minisplits can be used to cool difficult areas and one outdoor unit can cool more than one room, these units may be the solution to your cooling needs. If you are not familiar with how they work, here's the basics.

Each mini split air conditioner has an outdoor (compressor/condensor) unit and one or more indoor (evaporator) units. The indoor unit is built into the wall with a line that attaches to the outdoor unit. Because the indoor unit is fit into the wall and the line to the motor unit is outside the house, there is no ductwork and virtually no indoor noise. Depending on the size and type of outdoor unit, you can add more indoor units for different rooms, single zone units for one room and multi zone units for additional rooms.

The great thing about minisplits is they save on energy by only cooling the areas you need to be cooled. Shut off the bedroom unit if you are in the family room, and turn off the family room when you go to bed. Add timer features and the Energy Star Qualification of many units and you can really keep your energy costs down. For year-round comfort, some minisplits have a heat pump system available, which are also energy efficient.

If your AC is heating instead of cooling, don't wait for the dog days of summer. A new ductless air conditioning system is only a few clicks away.

Dehumidifiers: Defend Your Home Against Mold and Mildew

Warmer weather is here and with it comes the increased potential danger of mold and mildew. While they are both hazardous to your health, did you know that there is a difference between the two?

They both are commonly found in the same warm, damp environments, but they actually are different types of fungi. Mildew is what is usually found in showers and textiles, while mold is more often found in food. Both can be a problem for individuals with respiratory conditions.

If your home has a more than average amount of moisture content, you might think about installing a dehumidifier. Portable units make it easy to take care of the problem. Portable dehumidifiers have a bucket which collects the moisture, and this bucket needs to be emptied. The frequency depends on the amount of moisture that is removed from the room. Many portable units also have a hose which can be directly connected to a drain, eliminating the need for emptying, and allowing for continuous use of the dehumidifier.

The Frigidaire FAD504TDD Dehumidifier removes up to 50 pints of moisture in 24 hours, and features an automatic shut-off, digital humidity readout and continuous drain option. It has two fan speeds, low temperature operation and is Energy Star Qualified and AHAM Certified.

Don't wait until the smell of mildew creates an unpleasant and unhealthy environment, think about adding a dehumidifier to your home right now.

Amana PTACs, Four Season Comfort in One Unit

Right now the HVAC industry is in mid-term - not quite finished with the heating season and not quite into the air conditioning season. If one of the "must haves" on your home supply list includes a new Heat & Cool system, now is the time to either update your HVAC system or install a new one. PTAC systems take care of both your heating and air conditioning needs, in one unit. While these units previously were mostly known for their use in hotels and hospitals, PTAC units are increasingly being used in residential areas.

The newly improved Amana R410A series features everything from BTU ranges of 7,000 through 14,000, to a great warranty. And, they are assembled and fully tested in the USA. The noise factor is always an issue for air conditioning units. No one wants a unit that sounds like it is ready to leave the launch pad. The Amana R410A Series is the most quiet of all the PTACs in their line. In addition, they have increased dehumidification capacity. By maintaining lower humidity levels in the room, you feel more comfortable at higher temperature levels, essentially lowering your energy cost. Amana PTAC air conditioners come with a 7 -button control pad and LED display, making it easy to set the desired temperature.

There are 20 different models in the R410A series, giving a complete range of features, strength and efficiency... all at a great value.

Energy Star Qualified, what does it mean?

For some time now, the Energy Star logo has been appearing on appliances certified as Energy Star Qualified. And if you are in the market for a new appliance, there is a good chance you will do a little reseach into purchasing an Energy Star Qualified model. But, how many of us actually know what that means?

According to EnergyStar.gov, this is some of the criteria used for choosing qualified products:

• Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide
• Product performance and features must be demanded by consumers, in addition to having increased energy efficiency
• If the product is more expensive than a less-efficient model, purchasers must be able to recover the added cost through utility bill savings, in a reasonable amount of time
• The energy consumption and performance must be capable of being measured and verified with testing
  
  

While fairly understandable, for the average consumer, this is what really matters. Different appliances have different qualification thresholds. For refrigerators, a 20% reduction in energy over other models is required. Dishwashers must use 5.8 gallons of water or less per cycle, compared to older models using 8 gallons or more. Clothes washers also need to use 30% less energy and 50% less water to operate. Water coolers use about half the energy of standard models. Ovens, microwaves, ranges and clothes dryers do not qualify for an Energy Star rating.

Energy Star Qualified appliances will definitely lower your utility costs, but the real savings is in the replacement of older energy guzzling models. For example, if you replace a refrigerator made before 1993, the energy savings on that appliance could be up to 50%. Energy Star Qualified products are usually priced a little higher than non-qualified models, but the reduction in energy usage usually balances out the cost. In addition, most major appliance brands and even the federal government offer significant rebates for Energy Star Qualified appliances.

Now that we are all trying to go a little more "green", perhaps it's time to make the Energy Star Qualified switch when purchasing a new appliance.

An Air Conditioner in a Closet?

The new kid on the block for Heat and Cool Air Conditioners is the VTAC. Vertical Terminal Air Conditioners let you optimize floor space and leave windows accessible by being installed in a closet with venting through an outside wall. This makes the room more aesthetically pleasing, no large unit on the floor or blocking a window. It also means your usable square footage is increased and the noise level is decreased.

VTACs are much smaller than PTAcs, measuring approximately 24" x 24", but come in unit sizes larger than PTACs. VTACs come in sizes of 9,000, 12,000, 18,000 and 24,000 BTU units and use a 220V line. They have a top air discharge which can be mounted into a single room or multiple rooms, and is controlled by a wall-mount thermostat. Heating is provided by either Electrical Resistance Heat or as a Heat Pump Unit. Some units can also be adapted for hydronic steam heat.

Since the unit installs in a closeted area, the use of a plenum is necessary to contain and separate the outdoor air paths, and hold water in the bottom without leaking into the wall. The plenum is the first component to be installed. An installation platform is positioned against the plenum, with the plenum centered on the edge of the platform, which is then secured to the floor. A sleeve is positioned on the platform and the unit is installed. The return air from the room to the unit requires either a louvered door, a wall-mounted access panel or a return air grille. An exterior grill covers the exposed side of the unit.

The General Electric AZ75E129DAC GE Zoneline unit offers 17,200 BTUs for cooling and 15,500 BTUs when used as a heat pump. This unit features the Quick Heat Recovery System, where the heat pump incorporates a two-stage heat/one-stage cooling thermostat which utilizes resistant heat to bring the room temperature within 2 degrees of the thermostat set point, before initiating the heat pump operation. This brings the room up to temperature quickly, allowing warmer air to be discharged when the heat pump kicks in.

Possible uses for VTACs include Hotels, Motels, Assisted Living Centers, Offices, Apartments, Single-Family Dwellings, Home Conversions, Residential Add-Ons, External Classrooms and more. If the positioning for this type of unit can be utilized in your project, the smaller footprint of the Vertical Terminal Air Conditioner might be a perfect alternative to the much larger, exposed PTAC unit.