BTU?s measure heat units
The common measurement for heat is British Thermal Units (BTU?s), the amount of heat it takes to raise the temperature of one gallon of water 1 degree.
Heat loss is the amount of BTU?s required to heat the structure after deducting the heat that escapes through doors, windows, and roof.
BTU input is simply the number of BTU?s found in an energy source. For example:
- #1 fuel oil has about 125,000 BTU?s in a gallon
- #2 fuel oil has about 138,500 BTU?s in a gallon
- LP (propane) gas has 95,000 BTU?s in a gallon
Furnace efficiencies determine how much heat is captured in your home
BTU output is the efficiency in which your furnace captures these BTU?s when burnt. A gas or oil furnace less than 15 years old, connected to a chimney, is about 80% efficient. The other 20% of energy produced by the furnace goes out the chimney. Gas and oil furnaces must produce this amount of heat to take combustion bi-products out of the home.
A condensing gas furnace, with two or three-inch plastic pipe vents and forced draft fan is about 90% efficient.
The American Gas Association (AGA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), or other accredited testing facilities certify these efficiencies. The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and Department of Energy (DOE) accept these certified results.
Unfortunately, these same organizations do not rate wood furnaces and wood stoves for efficiency.
How efficient are wood furnaces?
Most solid fuel furnaces and stoves are about 30% efficient. Wood and all solid fuels such as coal, corn, and grain have the same 12,000 BTU?s per pound of energy. After deducting water content, heat values of woods have about 8,000 Btu?s of usable energy per pound. This lower efficiency is comprised of various factors:
Wood burns at different temperatures because of the different amounts of water in it. Wet wood burns at a lower temperature and is therefore less efficient because of incomplete combustion.
Forty percent (40%) of the energy in wood is unburned gas released as wood burns. This gas fails to ignite and release its energy because it starves for oxygen. To burn these gases, an injection of a controlled amount of air just above the flame is necessary. This action increases the efficiency of the appliance.
A lot of smoke out the chimney indicates that wood energy is being lost and loss of efficiency.
How does coal measure up?
Coal has virtually no air or water in it.
Coal will not burn unless you provide air to the fire chamber on a continuous basis. If you shut the air off to a coal, the fire will go out.
Coal remains at 12,000 Btu?s per pound because it contains no water.
How does Corn Measure up?
Corn has the same BTU?s per pound as wood. Dried corn with 12% moisture weighs about 56 pounds per bushel. It has about 8,000 usable BTU?s per pound (same as wood). A bushel of corn will provide about 44,800 BTU?s. If a corn furnace is 70% efficient, it will deliver about 31,360 BTU?s of heat into your home. The heat loss in an average 3-4 bedroom home with reasonable insulation is about 25-30,000 BTU?s per hour on a winter day. You can check your heat loss with a heating professional or utility company. It would take about 6 bushels a day to provide the same amount of heat as a gas or oil furnace.
Other Interesting Facts
- The EPA sponsored a meeting in Portland several years ago where it was determined that fireplaces were about 1% efficient.
- Wood pellets are generally very expensive compared to a wood log. There are about 8,000 BTU?s per pound of usable energy in either one.
- The answer to inefficient Wood furnaces is Central Heating using Multi-fuel or Combination Wood/Gas, Wood/Oil or Wood/Electric Furnace
Multi-fuel and combination fuel central heating furnaces come with optional air conditioning, electronic air cleaning, and/or humidifier. Two side-by-side thermostats control these furnaces. The homeowner can burn wood as a primary fuel, using the gas or oil burner to ignite. When the wood burns down, the gas or oil burner takes over to keep the home comfortable. The Yukon-Eagle brand furnace has a massive heat exchanger (firebox), a secondary air system that burns the smoke and unburned gases, and a large circulating blower. These furnace components make this furnace extremely efficient and use a fraction of the amount of wood of an outdoor boiler, other wood furnaces, stoves, or indoor boilers without these features. The Yukon-Eagle Multi-fuel wood is UL Listed (approved) to heat your home with wood or coal without electricity.
Yukon Eagle has been manufacturing and distributing wood furnaces for many years and is the industry leader in multi-fuel and wood burning furnaces. Located in Minnesota, where the winters can test a heating system, we have learned how to do it right.
Article Tags: btus, heat, wood
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What do you assume is the result if you neglect to keep your furnace filter clean? Do you think that your furnace will be able to run forever without problems using the same dirty filter year after year? What do you think will happen when your furnace filter becomes over saturated by dirt, pet hair, allergens and dust? You are looking at more than the fan simply refusing to run properly. A dirty furnace filter can be deadly, make you sick or worse, causing your home to go up in flames.
When either your furnace or air conditioning unit are not being maintained properly every six months or every year, dirt, dust and other debris can build up inside causing serious problems in the long run. Not only will you be paying more for heating if your heating unit has to struggle harder to heat the same amount of space but also run the risk of some pretty serious dangers are also involved with not properly responding to a dirty furnace filter. When your furnace and the motor in your air conditioner become clogged by dirt and debris, that air is what will be circulating through your home, rather than the clean, fresh air that you once enjoyed. Your family will be breathing in all these toxins that otherwise would have been sucked out of the air by a clean or new furnace filter. If you continue to breathe this bad air, there is the possibility you will become sick. So if your family is sick and the cause cannot be found, it might be time to replace your furnace filters and to restore the clear air in your home. Learn more about furnace filters at http://energyboomer.typepad.com/energyboomer/2007/07/a-clean-filter-.html.
After a few years worth of furnace filter neglect serious things can possibly happen. Your furnace may simply break down and you will be lucky if you could find a cheap replacement part. If your heat exchanger becomes warped or cracked from the unbearable heat build up within your furnace, noxious carbon monoxide fumes may leak into your home, not only making you sick but also potentially killing you and your entire family. Can you imagine all of this, simply because you could not be bothered to maintain your furnace filter?
Faulty furnaces have also been known to cause fires, all because the furnace filter wasn't clean, and air couldn't circulate properly through the furnace and throughout your home. Clean up after a fire is incredibly expensive, and there is no telling what damage you may in the process. What if your entire house goes up in flames? What is a pet, or a family member is trapped inside when it happens? Hopefully now changing out your furnace filters or buying filters that are permanent and only need to be cleaned seems like less of a trivial matter. You can save yourself a lot of stress, a lot of health problems and a whole lot of financial burden simply by keeping your furnace filters clean, or replacing them often. If there is any doubt, you can always contact a contractor who can check your furnace and clean your filters if need be. Get more information on how to keep your furnace filters clean by checking out http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/furnace-air-filters.shtml.
With so many reasons to keep up on your furnace maintenance, and no known reasons for why not to, you should take the next few moments to check out the state of your furnace filter to make sure that air is circulating properly through your home, that your heat exchanger is still in one healthy, solid piece, and that there is no risk or danger present that you could easily have avoided.
Article Tags: clean, filter, furnace
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Many people believe that there is only one purpose of a furnace filter or an air conditioning filter. And that is, to reduce dust is in the home. This may be a very important job for your furnace filter to take on but it?s not the only function your furnace filter has. The filter actually has another extremely important function that very few people are aware of. The other function that furnace filters are responsible for is not quite as apparent unless you are mechanically inclined or perhaps work in the HVAC field.
Furnace filters reduce how much dust is being collected on the machinery within the furnace. There are a number of primary components that need to run smoothly and effectively in order to make your furnace as effective as it can be. If dust should collect on these components, it can significantly reduce how efficient your furnace is, which will cause heating problems and other risks that need to be avoided.
Any dust that passes through your furnace filters rather than being caught will eventually be returned to your living space. This can pose problems to a person who suffers from allergies, as well as anyone else who has sensitivity to airborne pollutants and dust. What many people do not realize is that there are other important purposes that furnace filters serve in addition to simply catching these airborne pollutants and contaminants to keep them out of the air in your living space. Learn more about how to maintain your furnace filter at http://www.home-air-care.com/furnace.htm.
Not only are furnace filters designed to collect dust and other airborne particles to clear up the quality of your in-home oxygen, but they are also increase airflow properties within the furnace. If the airflow in the furnace is weak, it may overheat, which can cause problems over time. Nothing good comes from having poor airflow within your furnace because the airflow inside your furnace is directly responsible for keeping all of the parts in working order. By keeping the furnace cool, you can guarantee that parts will not overheat and cause problems.
In your furnace there is a piece of equipment known as a heat exchanger that is a vital element in keeping your furnace running properly. If the airflow in your furnace is restricted because your furnace filter is clogged, your furnace can overheat because the heat exchanger is pressed right up against the igniter in your furnace. If your heat exchanger is forced to heat up and cool down too often, it can warp and eventually crack. Broken heat exchangers can cause fires and carbon monoxide leaks.
So while one primary purpose of your furnace filter is to clean up the air in your home, it is by far not the only purpose that is serves. Your furnace filter is also responsible for promoting the efficiency of airflow within your furnace keeping your furnace running safely and effectively.
If your furnace filter is running effectively then you will likely not have to worry about safety issues or potential risks. Read about furnace filters and how to protect you and your family from indoor allergies at http://www.meredy.com/nursetips/allergytips.html.
Not only will an efficient furnace filter keep your air clean and breathable by removing dust, pollen and other allergens from the air but also keep your furnace operating at its peak efficiency at all times.
About the Author:
Bill Whitworth writes air quality articles for Web Products, Inc., the Internet?s premier supplier of furnace filters, air filters, replacement filters, and custom filters.
Article Tags: dust, filter, furnace
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Benefits For Using Electrostatic Furnace Filters
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Submitted By: Bill Whitworth  |
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With so many advancements being made in the world of air filtration and furnace filters, it is commonplace for consumers to wonder what the experts think about various new options for filtration. One such innovation that has recently become popular is the electrostatic furnace filters. Many duct cleaning technicians, for example, are quickly becoming strong advocates for the benefits associated with these electrostatic air filters.
Here is a summary on the most important benefits associated with owning and using electrostatic furnace filters.
Save Money: Electrostatic filters keep heating components and air conditioning coils from becoming coated by dust and dirt particles. Dirt and dust are the number one cause for failures in heating and cooling systems. Cleaner systems are also capable of operating in more efficient ways, which means that you can save a significant amount of money both in equipment repairs, and in energy consumption as well. Electrostatic furnace filters are permanent rather than disposable, meaning that you save money by not having to replace your filters every so often. Get more information about electrostatic furnace filters and how they can help prevent air born allergies by visiting http://www.catsofaustralia.com/allergy_to_cats.htm.
Allergy Relief: When exposure to allergens like dust, mold spores, animal danger and pollen are controlled by the electrostatic properties of these filters, then respiratory problems, allergies and asthma can all be significantly reduced.
Ease in Housekeeping: Thanks to the electrostatic media that is found on the furnace filter, as long as your furnace or your air conditioning unit is running, household dust will be easily collected and taken out of your reach. A welcomed benefit to housekeeping, your electrostatic furnace filter will make your home require far less frequent dusting than before.
Friendly to the Environment: Electrostatic furnace filters serve as a permanent lifetime filter, which means you no longer have to worry about buying or throwing away the disposable filters that used to be a chore of yours every single month. The environment will absolutely love you for this reason alone.
Easily maintained: Rather than having to replace your standard replaceable, throwaway filter, electrostatic furnace filters only need to be periodically cleaned in order to achieve the best furnace efficiency and filtration results. Cleaning the same filter once a month should be the much preferable choice over having to replace the same filter every month. Learn more about quality furnace filters for your home by going to http://www.meredy.com/nursetips/allergytips.html.
Keeping Your Filters Clean:
Keeping your duct system cleaned is an essential part of improving the air quality within your home. Adding a high performance furnace filter will provide a number of additional benefits. Electrostatic furnace filters are high performance efficiency furnace filters that provide a number of benefits, including the removal of dust, mold spores, animal dander and pollen just while the air is naturally circulating through your central system. Your entire family will benefit from clear and filtered air. Children and elderly family members are both quite susceptible to air pollution, and therefore will reap great benefits from the clean air that is provided by these electrostatic furnace filters.
Electrostatic furnace filters work based on static electricity rather than regular electricity. The filter media contains a negative charge along the entire surface, and the air passing through the system enhances this. Then the tiny air particles like dust, mold and pollen come along with a positive charge, allowing them to be attracted like a magnet to the filter media.
These are the particular culprits that have been polluting our indoor air for so long. Electrostatic furnace filters are designed specifically to attract these particles, trap them, and keep them away from the fresh clean air that you?re your body takes in thousands of times every day.
Article Tags: electrostatic, filters, furnace
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The thought of snow, cold and blowing winds lead to thoughts of warm blankets, furnaces and glowing fires. Home heating is a very important subject in most parts of the country, everything from furnaces to space heaters are used to keep the house toasty warm for our return from the "frozen tundra."
The heating sources that are used can lead to dire consequences if used improperly. Space heaters, for example are responsible for numerous house fires every year. The use of these devises for home heating requires responsibility and constant awareness of the safety issues they present. However, the use of space heaters can be a way to lower heating costs when the price of heating fuel rises by allowing you to use electricity instead.
When shopping for a space heater look for a model that stays cool to the touch and that has a wide base. These two options will make the heater safer to operate. Never use a space heater around a child, even if that child is asleep, the effect of a burn from the unit can be devastating. The chance of a child waking up and stumbling into the heater causing it to tip over and catch on fire is too great to risk.
When preparing your home heating plan for the winter season, it is not enough just to turn the furnace on and hope for the best, it needs to be serviced on a yearly basis to ensure its safety and reliability. Without this inspection, you could, literally be playing with fire.
The furnace inspection will consist of a visual inspection, cleaning of the furnace, detection of carbon monoxide (CO) as well as the checking the burner, ducts and pilot light. This is a short list of what an inspection consists of, but is a good indicator of what to expect when the licensed professional knocks on your door.
The visual portion of the inspection will help to detect any cracks that may exist in the heat exchanger. These cracks may result in the leakage of carbon monoxide fumes into the home. The flue will also be tested for the reason of detecting carbon monoxide (CO) gasses that may leak from the furnace. To be on the safe side, it is best to install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in the main sleeping areas of the home to warn of a possible danger.
The inspectors will also be cleaning the furnace ducts of dust that has accumulated throughout the summer. Dust can be combustible therefore, it is necessary to remove it before starting the furnace. The burner and pilot light will also be inspected to ensure that they are working properly.
Follow these tips when heating your home this winter and sleep peacefully at night knowing that you have done you duty to protect your family, when they are snuggled in their beds as well.
About the Author
Linda Moore writes on a variety of subjects including home ownership, family matters, travel, personal enrichment, lowering your heating bills and
home air purifiers
Choosing a furnace for your home is not difficult. The following list are features that you may want to look for when buying your furnace.
1. What type of furnace do you want? Will it be Gas or Electric?
The Gas Furnace
The gas furnace is always more affordable to use than the electric furnace where gas is readily available. On the downside, burning fuel generates fumes. In well-maintained gas furnaces, the fumes generated are enclosed in the exchanger and then exit the house through an exhaust vent.
Remember, a gas furnace must be checked by a qualified professional at least once a year. The professional would check the furnace for holes, leaks or cracks. A break or crack in the furnace lets carbon monoxide seep into your house or place of business.
The Electric Furnace
The electric furnace has a higher cost than a gas furnace. On the upside, since electric furnaces do not use flames, it does not generate any carbon monoxide. The electric furnace is cleaner and safer than a gas furnace.
2. The Quality of the Furnace
The quality of the furnace determines how long and how well it will perform. Choosing a brand of furnace that has a history of quality and reliability can be less costly in the long run. Ask your contractor about which brand will be optimal for your needs. A free estimate for the purchase and installation are available in some companies.
3. The Efficiency of the Furnace
The efficiency of gas furnaces are determined by the AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings. The AFUE ratings identifies how efficiently is the fuel being consumed. In most cases, a higher AFUE rating means it takes less fuel to heat your home.
Gas furnaces with higher ratings cost more than those with lower ratings but may save you more money down the road. A minimum rating of 78% is established by the government in 1992. Many furnaces have an efficiency rating of about 60% prior to 1992.
a. The Mid-Efficiency Furnaces
The mid-efficiency furnaces are also called ?induces draft furnaces? or ?non-condensing furnaces?. The mid-efficiency furnace offers the bare minimum of 78% efficiency up to about 80%.
b. The High-Efficiency Furnaces
The high-efficiency furnaces are also known as ?condensing furnaces? or ?sealed combustion furnaces?. The high-efficiency furnaces has an AFUE rating as high as 96%. Some furnaces use a two-stage valve and an efficient variable-speed motor to raise comfort and effectiveness.
4. The Comfort features of furnaces
Several furnaces provide features that increases comfort and efficiency.
a. The features of the two-speed furnace
The furnace can function at low speed for most of the time. It allows for a more quieter operation for a longer amount of time compared to a ?single-speed furnace?. The longer run periods allow for fewer start/stop cycles, less drafts, and very little temperature variance.
The temperature swing is limited to about two degrees compared to the four degree variance of the single-speed units. The two-speed unit gives better circulation which prevents warmer air from rising and the cooler air from settling down. The two-speed unit gives a more consistent temperature in the house.
b. The features of variable-capacity furnaces
Furnaces with variable capacity provide a combination of efficiency and comfort. The variable-capacity has a motor that regulates your needs by automatically adjusting air volume and speed. The var-cap furnace provides the most efficient heating and cooling.
A fan comes with the var-cap furnace. The fan will reduce your cost during summer. If the fan is used throughout summer, the central air conditioning unit increases in efficiency.
5. The furnace noise level
Unfortunately, all furnaces do not come with a standard rating system for sound unlike heat pumps and air conditioners. Although, two-speed units and var-cap units generally operate at a low noise levels.
The two-speed and var-cap furnaces run for longer periods and lower sounds than the standard unit. Certain var-cap units has features that prevent ?creaking? of the ducts due to expansion and contraction caused by changing temperature. The temperature differential is reduced so that the creaking noise is also almost eliminated.
About the Author: For more great furnace information and resources check out: http://www.furnaceadvisor.info
There exists an Ephedra-free and Ma Huang-free formula that uses natural thermogenic ingredients to enhance fat loss for your body. What's its name and why is it so special?
The product is called Isagenix Natural Accelerator. Its carefully selected natural ingredients–such as cayenne, green tea, cinnamon, and ginseng–help kindle the natural furnace inside you to melt away unwanted pounds. This is also a part of the Isagenix fat-burning 9 day program (http://www.victory4u.isagenix.com/cleanse_9day.dhtml?inv=0 ) and the 30 day program (http://www.victory4u.isagenix.com/cleanse_30day.dhtml?inv=0 ) to consider for a more intense effort to shed away the inches that you want gone.
Benefits Summary:
* Enhances natural fat loss
* Natural thermogenic nutrients
* Provides lipotropic nutrients
* A rich supply of niacin
* Helps satisfy appetite
* No Ephedra, no Ma Huang, no caffeine added
Go to http://www.victory4u.isagenix.com/cleanse_accel.dhtml?inv=0 for more information and ordering Isagenix Natural Accelerator product.
( Results may vary. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Isagenix products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.)
About the Author
Brian is an Isagenix Independent Associate who wishes to share his knowledge about health enhancing products. His website is http://www.victory4u.isagenix.com for product information and ordering.
As an Air Quality/Duct Cleaning specialist I am often consulted upon for my educational experience regarding indoor air quality issues. With the advancements being made in air filtration I am often asked for my opinion on various filtration options one of which are electrostatic furnace filters. As a duct cleaning technician myself, I am a strong advocate of electrostatic air filters.
I have written a brief summary of the benefits of owning such a filter
-Savings: Electrostatic air filters will help keep heating components and A/C coils from being coated with dust particles. Dirt is the #1 cause of heating & cooling system failures, and a cleaner system also operates more efficiently which saves you money on both energy consumption and equipment repairs. Additionally, Electrostatic filters are permanent which save you money on disposable filters.
-Allergy Relief: Asthma, allergy and respiratory symptoms can be significantly reduced when exposure to dust, pollen, mold spores and animal dander is controlled by the electrostatic properties of these filters.
-Housekeeping: Household dust will be collected on the electrostatic media of the filter when the furnace or A/C system is operating. Less frequent dusting will be a welcome benefit to housekeeping.
-Environmentally friendly: Electrostatic filters are a permanent lifetime filter, you will no longer have to toss out disposable filters every month into the landfill (The environment will love you for it)
-Easy to maintain: Instead of replacing your standard throw away filter, an electrostatic filter simply needs to be cleaned periodically to achieve best filtration results and optimum furnace efficiency.
Keeping your Air and Your HVAC system clean:
Having your duct system professionally cleaned is a vital part of dramatically improving the indoor air in your home. The addition of a high performance air filter will provide many benefits and intervals for duct cleaning. Electrostatic high performance efficiency furnace filters removes dust, pollen, mold spores and animal dander as the air circulates through your central system. Clean, filtered air benefits the entire family. Children and the elderly are most effected by indoor air pollution and will benefit greatly from the clean air that exits from this filter.
How does it work?
Electrostatic filters work on the principal of "static electricity" not "electricity". The filter media has a Negative charge throughout the entire surface which is enhanced by air passing through, Tiny particles such as dust, pollen and mold have a Positive charge and are therefore attracted to the filter like a magnet . These particulates are the culprits of our indoor environmental air pollution. Electrostatic furnace filter is designed to trap these particles and remove them from the air that you breathe
When it comes to household cleaning, you must make sure that your furnace air filters are clean and monitored regularly. Air filters are essential for removing particles from the air to ensure you have a good quality of air inside your house. In addition, it should be well taken care of and it should be checked once in a while to ensure its effectiveness. First and foremost, you must have your gas equipment checked regularly.
It is strongly suggested that you change and clean your air filters. Imagine having dirty furnace filters. They increase your heating expenses and lessen the life span of your furnace. You should inspect and check your replacement filters at least once a month. During the heating or cooling seasons, be sure to check them at least twice a month.
Make sure to clean and wash them monthly if you have permanent filters. Electronic air cleaner filters should be cleaned and washed every one or two months. When checking on the blower motor, be sure that you have turned off the electric power first before working on the motor. If your furnace belt is broken or damaged, replace it immediately. And make sure that the part you are using for replacement is the right part. It is good to have a spare belt on hand at all times. Be sure to turn off the power first before making any adjustments or modifications. When oiling the fan monitor, always check the motor keenly. There are some types of furnaces that need not be lubricated. However, most of the fan motors need regular oiling.
In addition, when examining the fan or blower, make sure that the fins on the blower fan are dust-free and have no dirt on them. Make sure that the frame or housing of the fan is free of debris. When checking on the dehumidifier, make sure that you set the proper humidity level to save on heating expenses. It is advised that you clean your humidifier one a month. However, if you are using hard water, you need to check on it more often. You should replace the pad or wick of your humidifier once a year. It is important to check the chimneys and vents. But before that, you should examine whether your chimney or vent is obstructed with debris. If you have metal chimneys, paint the exposed metal chimney with an outdoor primer then apply outdoor latex paint to inhibit rust.
It is advised that you keep your furnace area clean and tidy. As much as possible, do not store chemicals, paint strippers, paint thinners, chlorine, kerosene, gasoline and other similar chemicals in the furnace room. Remove any obstructions that could get in the way when you are examining the furnace.
These are just some of the tips that you can follow in order to maintain that dust-free household air that you have always wanted using air filters.
Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Health. To access more articles on air filters or for additional information and resources on clean air visit this air filters website.
Locating Your Furnace Filter
Submitted By: Bill Whitworth
Where Exactly is My Furnace Filter Located?
One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to heating and cooling elements within a home is, "Where is my furnace filter located?" When you move into a brand new home and need to change out the furnace filter, or if you have lived in your home for a couple of years and feel like it might be time, you may have difficulty finding the furnace filter. Still, you know that it is in there somewhere because every heating and cooling system in a home has a furnace filter. So where is the silly thing hiding?
The location of your furnace filter is typically located somewhere close to where the fan is located. This applies to all different types of heating furnaces, including gas furnaces, oil furnaces, electric furnaces, as well as air conditioners. Even individuals who have been working in the HVAC industry for a number of years occasionally have difficulty when it comes to locating tricky hidden furnace filters, but they are always there somewhere!
Furnace filters can be found behind panels, inside the opening of a duct or even behind other equipment to keep them completely shielded from view. The original purpose behind furnace filters was simply to prevent stuff from damaging components by getting into the fan section of the furnace, which is why furnace filters can be practically anywhere as long as they are upstream of the fan to a degree. Manufacturers of furnaces and furnace filters usually choose a designated location where their filters can be installed just in front of the fan components.
Oftentimes you will find furnace filters are located somewhere within the duct system, somewhere upstream of the air handler location. This furnace filter location is common when it comes to older heating and air conditioning systems. The best place to start is at the location of the air handler, and to work your way back from that point until you find the furnace filter because it can be pretty much anywhere. Sometimes you will find it at the return air grill opening, and sometimes you will find it behind the return air grill itself. Learn more about how to take care of your home furnace filter at http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/furnace-air-filters.shtml.
Once you have figured out which duct is the furnace return duct, you should be in business. Find the grill opening that draws air into it; this is your return duct. The furnace filter will be somewhere nearby this opening, and between it and the air handler.
Keep in mind that there is also the possibility that no furnace filter was installed when the entire unit was originally installed. It may have been removed but not replaced, or it may never have been installed to begin with. If this is the case, have your furnace officially examined to ensure that everything is still safe. Without a furnace filter, the airflow in your furnace is likely very poor, which can cause safety issues. This is of course in addition to causing inefficiency in your heating and cooling equipment. For more information on furnace filters and how to alleviate indoor allergies visit http://www.meredy.com/nursetips/allergytips.html.
Poor airflow can cause a lot of problems in your furnace. If your heat exchanger heats up too much, it can warp or crack. This can cause a carbon monoxide leak or possibly even causing a fire. There is no telling what safety issues you may be causing by failing to ensure that you have a furnace filter in your furnace and that it is properly maintained at all times.
About the Author:
Bill Whitworth writes furnace filter related articles for WEB Products, Inc. www.webproducts.com is the premier supplier of furnace filters, air filters, replacement filters and custom filters.
One of the most common health issues that plague our society is dehydration. Most of the tissue in the body is composed of water. If it loses the water, the tissue dries up. It's elasticity goes, and with it function declines. Besides dry skin, the symptoms of dehydration include chronic joint and muscle pain, raspy throat, sore eyes and lack of mental concentration.
There are two ways to combat dehydration, and both are essential; drink a lot of water, and maintain the relative humidity in the home and office at comfortable levels with the use of a furnace humidifier.
How does humidity AFFECT our health?
Conditioning the amount of moisture in the air with a furnace humidifier is necessary for your family's health. Dry air in your home can make your throat feel dry, and cause or aggravate respiratory ailments.
Inadequate humidification during cold weather is one of the major causes of respiratory infections. The heating seasons causes people to begin having repeated attacks of winter colds. Winter is blamed for these problems, but the actual cause is dryness, which develops in the membranes of the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. Relative humidity also has a significant effect on controlling the occurrence of airborne infections.
The one thing we can do about alleviating some of the discomfort of colds, dry noses and dehydrated skin is to install a humdifier in the home, where we spend most of our time. Actually, for many, dry air is an air-quality issue. Dry air promotes the growth of some bacteria, viruses and respiratory irritants that in sensitive individuals cause conditions worse than dry skin. Adequate moisture enables the body's immune system to defend better against indoor respiratory pollutants and irritants.
How will a furnace humidifier affect your comfort?
Humidity in the home will affect your comfort. Since the air in your home is always trying to reach its saturation point, it will absorb water wherever it's found, that means it is stealing moisture from the bodies of you and your children, your pets, your furniture and even your house plants. By giving up moisture to the air, your skin, throat and nasal passages dry out and crack leading to various physical discomfort. That's why many doctors recommend furnace humidifiers for allergy and asthma sufferers.
How does humidity AFFECT my house?
Virtually everything in your home made from wood contains some moisture. As dry air sucks that moisture out, the wood shrinks and cracks. Hardwood floors separate at the seams, furniture shrinks and cracks, and doors warp and no longer fit their frames as the moisture is drawn off.
Also, perhaps the most annoying effect of dry indoor air is static shock. How many times have you shuffled across the carpet, only to be rudely surprised by the crackle of static as you reach for the light switch! It's no fun when it happens to you, and even less so when you reach out and "zap" a loved one. With the capacity to hold a static charge up to 20,000 volts, your body can also wreak havoc on home computers and other sensitive electronic devices. By maintaining indoor relative humidity at 35 percent or higher with the use of a humidifier, static shocks are greatly reduced.
Are there any other BENEFITS to installimg a furnace humidifier in the home?
Yes! Proper relative humidity helps you save energy costs. Warm, humid summer air feels hotter than it actually is because of the moisture it contains. That same principle applies to your home in the winter. By keeping the relative humidity inside your home at an ideal level, you can turn your thermostat down a few degrees and still feel comfortable. Dialing down your thermostat just three degrees can reduce your heating bill by as much as 5%.
About the Author
Pat Johnson - President of Enviro-Pure Air Care Duct Cleaning and Furnace Humidifier installations, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Visit their furnace hmidifier page at Furnace humidifiers Ottawa
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