dimanche 28 juillet 2013

Options For Heating Modesto CA Homes

By Maryanne Goff


When considering options for heating Modesto CA homes, owners have several options. While some are better than others, all can take the chill off a home. While the weather in the area is not blessed with the warm temperatures of sunny Southern California, winters are generally mild, but will require at least some heat on most days.

Gas burning furnaces burn natural gas or propane inside a metal container called the heat exchanger. Exhaust gases vent to the exterior of the building to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. As the fuel burns, it warms a heat exchanger that radiates heat throughout the home using gravity or is pumped throughout the living space with a fan.

While not common in new homes, in older ones, gravity systems were common. They included floor and wall furnaces. In homes that had a basement, gravity system may have been located in the lower level using ducts to distribute the heat from the furnace without using a blower. These systems operate based on the fact that warm air is less dense than cold air. As it is heated, air rises toward the ceiling and cold air sinks toward the floor. This circulation allows heat to be distributed throughout the home. These systems are less efficient than those that use a blower.

Forced air units are the most common furnaces in use. A blower forces air from inside the home over the hot fire box and then through ducts back into the living space. Currently, state law requires forced air units be at least 80% efficient. Some are rated as high as 99% efficient and create very few emissions.

Hydronic systems work by warming water, either with a boiler or using solar power. The warmed water can be used with either a forced air system or a radiant system. Forced air systems use coils like the radiator in a car with a blower. Radiant systems have pipes in the floors or walls and a pump circulates the heated water. The radiant systems are considered very energy efficient; however, they are more prone to leaks.

Heat pumps work like air conditioners in reverse to pull heat from the outside atmosphere and warm the house. They produce more heat energy than is available in the electricity they use. They also offer the advantage of reversing in the summer to cool the house.

While not commonly installed today, electric furnaces are still found in older homes. These systems use resistance elements like old electric coil heaters found in bathrooms, with a blower that directs cold air across them to be heated. Unfortunately, they are very expensive to operate and require a lot of energy.

In the past fifteen years, the systems for heating Modesto CA homes have become much more energy efficient. If a home has an older furnace, it may be time to consider upgrading to save on the costs of monthly utilities. While natural gas is generally the least expensive to operate, heat pumps also have many advantages. By replacing inefficient furnaces, homeowners can enjoy a home that is comfortable in every room without a big increase in energy costs.




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