 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Subscribe / Renew | Local Links | Worship Directory Info | Sales Positions | About Us | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Site Map |
| (C) 2007-2008 The Delaney Co., LLC. All rights reserved. The Homesteader - York & Lancaster Edition is published by The Delaney Co., LLC. Each edition of The Homesteader is independently owned and operated. Questions or concerns about this site should be directed to Webmaster -at- HomesteaderSC -dot- com. Key Words: York County, Lancaster County, South Carolina, SC, New Home, New House, Home, House, New Homeowner, Newcomer, The Homesteader |
In an older home, as temperatures fall and fuel prices rise, making the most of your heating dollars takes
a combination of common sense, thorough research and good timing. Experts suggest that homeowners
tighten up homes, keep existing systems in good working order and research replacement options early.
Then, when it's time to replace that old furnace or boiler in the basement, you won't wake up some brisk
winter morning to a chilly house -- during a record cold snap -- on, of course, a holiday weekend.
THE BASICS
Depending on where you live, available fuels include oil, electricity, propane, coal, natural gas, wood,
wood pellets, corn and kerosene. Each comes with two costs -- the fuel and delivery.
Among the main types of residential central heating units are furnaces, boilers and heat pumps, which
either radiate heat (hence the term "radiant heat") or force heated air through ducts and vents.
One advantage of radiant heat is the option of "zoning" heat -- turning off the heat in unused rooms. It
also may feel warmer than forced air because it isn't constantly moving and blowing through vents.
Bob Croteau, an energy services manager with CWLP in Springfield, Ill., says a heat pump "is actually an
air conditioner that works in reverse in the wintertime."
Improvements in today's models make them among the most efficient systems available. Each type of
heating unit comes with an efficiency rating. A contemporary gas furnace, Croteau says, usually is either 80
percent or roughly 93 percent efficient; an electric furnace is 100 percent efficient. A heat pump may be
250 percent to 300 percent efficient. But, he says, before converting to an electric system, make sure your
electric service panel can handle the additional load. You may need a new 200-amp panel, which will add to
your overall energy cost.
A LITTLE EXTRA HEAT
Supplemental heat sources often include fireplaces, stoves and space heaters. Celeste Wiley and her
husband purchased a high-efficiency gas forced-air furnace because of a cracked heat exchanger in the
old furnace. They saw a slight improvement in the heat level throughout their brick ranch home almost
immediately. Still, they kept a 6-inch space heater in each bathroom.
"I've used them for years," says Wiley, who preheats the bathroom before her shower. "I hate to be cold
when I'm wet stepping out of the shower."
A space heater can, indeed, save energy by focusing the heat right where you need it instead of warming
up a whole house, Croteau says. Using the low-power setting, below 1,000 watts, helps avoid overheating
older homes' original, light-gauge wiring. To save even more energy dollars, he says, find out where the
cold air is blowing in, plug the holes and skip the space heater.
Croteau does caution against use of non-vented gas heaters for supplemental heating. Byproducts and
combustible gasses can build up in a house and pose serious poisoning risks.
FIGURING COST
"When making a decision about how you want to heat your home, the raw cost of the fuel is only the
beginning," says Ameren Corp. spokesman Leigh Morris.
Before replacing a central unit, consider how much will it cost to purchase and install the new unit, how
long you'll be living in the house, how long will it take in fuel savings to recoup the investment, and whether
you're willing and able to do any of the installation.
You also may need to factor in a financing cost.
"In every house, however," Morris says, "no matter how old or how new it is, there are still things you can
do to increase energy efficiency."
Determine how much of the house is to be heated, when people are home and moving around, and
whether some "zones" could be turned down some or all of the time.
For each degree the temperature is lowered in the winter and raised in the summer, Morris says, you'll
reduce your utility bill by 2 percent to 3 percent.
To help lower costs:
-- Close the drapes at night.
-- Turn the water heat down to the warm setting, approximately 120 degrees.
-- Use compact fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs.
-- Install a programmable thermostat.
-- Use a humidifier, pans of water set where air will move across them, or even plug the shower drain at the
end of the shower and let the remaining water evaporate into the house. The key is to keep the humidity at
a comfortable level, but not to where moisture collects on the inside of the windows.
CHECK IT OUT
To maximize efficiency and safety, have your heating system professionally inspected annually. According
to Punzak residential sales consultant Jim Aherin, depending on the type and age of your system, it's
important to inspect the flue for proper drafting, the heat exchanger for holes and cracks, gas pressure,
safety controls, blower motor belts and bearings, and the thermal couple (this keeps the pilot light lit on an
old furnace).
Look for leaks in the water heater, and make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working and properly
positioned.
Homeowners also may want to consider having the ductwork cleaned.
In general, Aherin says, if your central unit is 25 years old or older, it's worth considering replacing it with
a more efficient system. He says customers typically replace the furnace and air conditioner at the same
time, though that isn't necessary.
A convenient time to make an incremental change to your system, Croteau says, is when the furnace is
working fine but you need a new air conditioner.
Install a heat pump to cool the house in summer and to provide fall and winter heat when the outside
temperature is 35 degrees or warmer. When the outside temperature falls below about 35 degrees, the
furnace will provide all the heat.
Some problems are beyond repair, Aherin says, such as a cracked heat exchanger. Also, if a house has
been expanded, the system may be undersized and a supplemental unit needed.
Homeowners considering a new system in 2007 may be able to take advantage of the Federal Energy
Tax Credit, which expires at the end of this year. For details consult the federal Department of
Energy/Environmental Protection Agency Web site at www.energystar.gov
a combination of common sense, thorough research and good timing. Experts suggest that homeowners
tighten up homes, keep existing systems in good working order and research replacement options early.
Then, when it's time to replace that old furnace or boiler in the basement, you won't wake up some brisk
winter morning to a chilly house -- during a record cold snap -- on, of course, a holiday weekend.
THE BASICS
Depending on where you live, available fuels include oil, electricity, propane, coal, natural gas, wood,
wood pellets, corn and kerosene. Each comes with two costs -- the fuel and delivery.
Among the main types of residential central heating units are furnaces, boilers and heat pumps, which
either radiate heat (hence the term "radiant heat") or force heated air through ducts and vents.
One advantage of radiant heat is the option of "zoning" heat -- turning off the heat in unused rooms. It
also may feel warmer than forced air because it isn't constantly moving and blowing through vents.
Bob Croteau, an energy services manager with CWLP in Springfield, Ill., says a heat pump "is actually an
air conditioner that works in reverse in the wintertime."
Improvements in today's models make them among the most efficient systems available. Each type of
heating unit comes with an efficiency rating. A contemporary gas furnace, Croteau says, usually is either 80
percent or roughly 93 percent efficient; an electric furnace is 100 percent efficient. A heat pump may be
250 percent to 300 percent efficient. But, he says, before converting to an electric system, make sure your
electric service panel can handle the additional load. You may need a new 200-amp panel, which will add to
your overall energy cost.
A LITTLE EXTRA HEAT
Supplemental heat sources often include fireplaces, stoves and space heaters. Celeste Wiley and her
husband purchased a high-efficiency gas forced-air furnace because of a cracked heat exchanger in the
old furnace. They saw a slight improvement in the heat level throughout their brick ranch home almost
immediately. Still, they kept a 6-inch space heater in each bathroom.
"I've used them for years," says Wiley, who preheats the bathroom before her shower. "I hate to be cold
when I'm wet stepping out of the shower."
A space heater can, indeed, save energy by focusing the heat right where you need it instead of warming
up a whole house, Croteau says. Using the low-power setting, below 1,000 watts, helps avoid overheating
older homes' original, light-gauge wiring. To save even more energy dollars, he says, find out where the
cold air is blowing in, plug the holes and skip the space heater.
Croteau does caution against use of non-vented gas heaters for supplemental heating. Byproducts and
combustible gasses can build up in a house and pose serious poisoning risks.
FIGURING COST
"When making a decision about how you want to heat your home, the raw cost of the fuel is only the
beginning," says Ameren Corp. spokesman Leigh Morris.
Before replacing a central unit, consider how much will it cost to purchase and install the new unit, how
long you'll be living in the house, how long will it take in fuel savings to recoup the investment, and whether
you're willing and able to do any of the installation.
You also may need to factor in a financing cost.
"In every house, however," Morris says, "no matter how old or how new it is, there are still things you can
do to increase energy efficiency."
Determine how much of the house is to be heated, when people are home and moving around, and
whether some "zones" could be turned down some or all of the time.
For each degree the temperature is lowered in the winter and raised in the summer, Morris says, you'll
reduce your utility bill by 2 percent to 3 percent.
To help lower costs:
-- Close the drapes at night.
-- Turn the water heat down to the warm setting, approximately 120 degrees.
-- Use compact fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs.
-- Install a programmable thermostat.
-- Use a humidifier, pans of water set where air will move across them, or even plug the shower drain at the
end of the shower and let the remaining water evaporate into the house. The key is to keep the humidity at
a comfortable level, but not to where moisture collects on the inside of the windows.
CHECK IT OUT
To maximize efficiency and safety, have your heating system professionally inspected annually. According
to Punzak residential sales consultant Jim Aherin, depending on the type and age of your system, it's
important to inspect the flue for proper drafting, the heat exchanger for holes and cracks, gas pressure,
safety controls, blower motor belts and bearings, and the thermal couple (this keeps the pilot light lit on an
old furnace).
Look for leaks in the water heater, and make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working and properly
positioned.
Homeowners also may want to consider having the ductwork cleaned.
In general, Aherin says, if your central unit is 25 years old or older, it's worth considering replacing it with
a more efficient system. He says customers typically replace the furnace and air conditioner at the same
time, though that isn't necessary.
A convenient time to make an incremental change to your system, Croteau says, is when the furnace is
working fine but you need a new air conditioner.
Install a heat pump to cool the house in summer and to provide fall and winter heat when the outside
temperature is 35 degrees or warmer. When the outside temperature falls below about 35 degrees, the
furnace will provide all the heat.
Some problems are beyond repair, Aherin says, such as a cracked heat exchanger. Also, if a house has
been expanded, the system may be undersized and a supplemental unit needed.
Homeowners considering a new system in 2007 may be able to take advantage of the Federal Energy
Tax Credit, which expires at the end of this year. For details consult the federal Department of
Energy/Environmental Protection Agency Web site at www.energystar.gov
| Written by DiAnne Crown. All Rights Reserved. Published September 2007 by The Homesteader - York County & Lancaster County, South Carolina, Edition. |
| Printable Version of This Article | E-mail Article to a Friend | SIGN-UP for Our FREE E-mail Newsletter |
| **Please use your browser's BACK button to return to the previous page.** |