Hoosier Homestead

Electric Radiant Home Heat

2008-10-23T04:51:00.000-07:00

Radiant electric heat may be a good choice for your home. You have many different systems to choose from, from under floor radiant heat to ceiling heating systems. Our updated radiant home heating section has a lot of information to help you choose a system.

Radiant Solar Heat

2008-10-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

Radiant solar heat generally takes one of three forms, water or air. And there are two basic types of systems, active or passive.

In an active radiant solar water heat system, a solar collector is used to heat water. The water is then either stored in an insulated tank, or circulated in a heat sink. A heat sink consists of an object, like a huge concrete pad or bed of rocks which, because of it's mass, it can store heat. Water heated by the sun can be circulated through the heat sink, which is then circulated back through the home.

A passive solar radiant heat system would involve large tanks or vessels of water placed in a sunroom or other place where the sun will shine directly on them. These tanks or vessels would need to be painted black, or another very dark color. The sun heats the water in the tank, warming it. The heat in the tank is then released slowly after the sun stops shining.

In an active solar radiant heat system, air is heated in a solar collector and circulated through a heat sink. The heat in the heat sink is then allowed to radiate back into the structure after the sun sets.

Radiant Heat Panels

2008-10-15T04:56:00.000-07:00

Radiant electric heat panels are made to mount either on the surface of the room's ceiling, or some types may be recessed into the ceiling for a less obtrusive fit. Most may be painted to match the home's decor, using an acrylic latex paint. Sizes of the panels range from two foot by two foot to two foot by eight foot. The panels are one inch thick.

Radiant electric heat panels work by heating the objects in a room, as opposed to convection type furnace systems which heat air, move it to the room and then warm the room. There is much less loss of energy with radiant heating systems because the heat is produced in the room it is used in, as opposed to being produced in a remote location and moved to the room needed. This type of heatiing system allows different heating zones to be set up with different heating needs. Some rooms may be kept warmer, some cooler, as opposed to convection heating systems in which the entire home needs to be kept the same temperature.

Radiant electric heat panels can provide either supplemental or primary heating needs for a home or office.

Ceiling Electric Radiant Heat Cables

2008-10-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Electric ceiliing heat cable systems are wired as zonal systems. This means that heat in each room in a home can be controlled individually. Rooms which need to be warmer, like a nursery or bathroom, may be kept so. Other rooms which may be kept cooler can be cooler. This saves on energy costs. Ceiling radiant heat has been in use for many years, but recent technology has made it much more reliable in recent years.

Electric cables are installed over the ceiling drywall. Plaster is applied over the cables. Then insulation is installed between the ceiling joists to force the heat downward. The objects in the room below are heated by the radiant heat produced by the cables.

Electric Radiant Ceiling Heat

2008-10-13T05:20:00.001-07:00

Electric radiant ceiling heat is available in several different types. You will find either surface mounted heating units which install over the existing ceiling. There are heat panels which install between the ceiling joists above the plaster. Fiberglass insulation is installed above the panels, forcing the heat down. You will also find some systems which utilize cables which install on the plaster board of the ceiling and are plastered over, concealing them. Another cable system uses cables inbedded right in the gypsum panels.

All these electric ceiling radiant heat systems work on the same principal. Radiant heat works by heating the objects, including the occupants, of a room. It is the most efficient form of heating available, with very little loss.

Solar Powered Power Packs

2008-09-19T06:28:00.001-07:00

Solar powered power packs are units which contain a battery which is charged by a solar panel. The power packs vary in size from very small units which can be carried in a backpack, to larger units suitable for running a campsite. Some have the added versitality of charging from a auto cigarette lighter or A/C plug. Solar powered power packs will contain an inverter which allows you to plug A/C appliances into them. Use the solar powered power pack to run small electric devices and tools for short periods of time at a campsite, outdoor parties or worksite. Some of these things also pack enough power to start a stalled vehicle.

Solar Powered Battery Chargers

2008-09-18T05:42:00.000-07:00

In your home you use a lot of batteries. Batteries power your kid's toys, clocks, flashlights, and many other gadgets you use every day. Solar powered battery chargers are products which use light energy to charge rechargable batteries for use again and again. You will save money in two ways - by not having to continually purchase batteries, and you will save on the energy needed to recharge them.

Generally, you will find two basic types of solar powered battery charger. The simple battery charger has the capability to charge the small AA and AAA batteries which power so much of our world. These are usually small, compact unit which use either sunlight or indoor light to charge batteries. It will take three to four hours of sunlight to fully charge most of these small batteries.

Larger multi-use solar battery chargers will charge these small batteries and also have enough capacity to charge GPS units, cell phones and twelve volt batteries. The solar cells on these units fold up and are compact and light enough to take along on a hiking or camping trip to keep small electronic units like flashlights, radios and cell phones working while in the great outdoors.

Solar powered battery chargers will find a lot of work in the modern world keeping all those batteries charged up and ready to power our electronic toys.

Solar Powered Attic Fans - Roof Mount

2008-09-17T04:27:00.001-07:00

A roof mount solar powered attic fan can be the easiest ventilion system to install for your home. There is virtually no wiring to run as the solar cell is usually mounted right on the fan. A built in thermostat will turn the fan on when temperatures rise and turn it off when temperatures fall. Most of these are on what is termed a "pig tail" mount. This is simply a wire which hangs down into the attic a foot or two and measures the air temperature at that point.

Solar Powered Attic Fans - Gable Mount

2008-09-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Gable mount solar powered attic fans mount in the gable of the home, requiring a hole to be cut in the exterior siding of the home. One fan in each gable on each side of the home is the best installation. The fans will draw hot air out of the attic and exhaust it outdoors. The solar panel will typically be mounted on a south facing roof near the fan.

Typically these fans use a louvre which open automatically when the fan turns on, and close when not operating to seal cold air and rain out. If an opening is already in existance, you should check to see if the fan you want to install will fit the opening.

Solar Powered Attic Fans

2008-09-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

Installing a solar powered attic fan can significantly lower your homes cooling costs as well as help reduce harmful moisture buildup in your attic. Attic temperatures can soar to 150 degrees on a hot summer day, placing a large load on your air conditioning system. There are also winter benefits to installing a solar powered attic fan. Snow can partially melt on a sunny day as heat builds in the attic and then refreeze at night. The ice buildup can strain eave gutters and downspouts and moisture can seep up under roof shingles causing damage to the home. A cooler attic can help prevent this, keeping the snow frozen until warmer weather allows it to melt completely.

Homes usually have passive air louvers installed in the roof which are usually insufficient. Solar powered attic fans use the power of the sun to ventilate your attic and pull all that stale, hot air out, replacing it with cooler, fresh air. This can save you up to thirty percent in cooling costs for your home. A solar powered attic fan can dramatically help your air conditioner's ability to cool your home.

Installing a Tankless Hot Water Heater

2008-08-30T06:40:00.001-07:00

Installing a tankless hot water heater can be a simple, do it yourself job, or a project for an experienced professional, depending upon the complexity of the installation process and your skills as a plumber, electrician and gas line installer.

Installing an electric tankless replacement for a conventional hot water heater will probably involve more than simply removing the old water heater and installing the new one. While the water lines may remain the same, the electric requirements for the tankless hot heater will undoubtedly be much higer. A single #12 220 volt line is usually sufficient for the conventional water. A tankless hot water heater will probably take a much heavier wire, usually # 8 or a #6. Some electric hot water units will need two or three lines run, depending upon the number of heat exchangers in the unit. You will also need to check your main circuit panel to see if there is room to accomodate the new circuits before installing the tankless water heater. Most tankless hot water heaters require a minimum of 50 amp service to function properly.

If there is room in the circuit box, and you are capable of installing the additional wiring, you are ready to install the tankless electric water heater. Some manufacturers have the installation manuals available online. It pays to download this manual before purchasing the unit to make sure you can satisfy the requirements of the unit. This is one project perhaps left to a professional electrician or plumber, as the heavy wiring is hard to work with without the proper tools, and you will need to work in the main circuit panel to complete some of the work.

An installation in a new house under construction is much easier, as the wiring and plumbing can be run before wallboard and flooring are installed. The main circuit panel is easily accessible as well as all the plumbing runs. This is something you will need to consult with your contractor ahead of time to assure proper installation of the tankless water heater.

Installing a gas tankless hot water heater requires more care than installing an electric unit. After all, there are gas lines to consider as well as the plumbing lines. The gas water heater needs to be installed on an outside wall, or in an area which a vent pipe can be run up through the attic and roof. Installing a tankless gas water heater is probably best left to a professional, as gas lines are dangerous things.

Unless you are an accomplished do it your selfer, installation of a tankless water is a project probably best left to the professional installer. Visit manufacturer web sites before you make a decision, download the various installation manuals and compare the specifications on each before deciding which tankless hot water heater you want to install.

Compact Tankless Water Heaters

2008-08-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Though all tankless water heaters take up less space than their conventional counterparts, Most of the compact units are electric. These compact electric water heaters are designed to be installed in showers, under sinks, and in closets. Mini tankless water heaters are compact enough to be installed just about anywhere.

Most of these compact tankless water heaters are designed for low flow applications and would not be suitable for supplying a whole house. But to supply additional hot water to remote bathrooms or workshops, these units can be ideal. Most require 220 volts, but there are some which run on 110, so could by used in an RV or on a campsite equipped with electric.

Compact tankless water heaters could be the solution you are looking for to supply hot water in that remote cabin, workshop or small office.

Tankless Gas Water Heater

2008-08-28T10:11:00.001-07:00

Gas tankless water heaters work the same way the electric models do, except they use gas, either natural or LP, as a power source. New installations of tankless water heaters may cost more than an electric tankless because a gas line must be run, as well as a vent pipe. The vent pipe is necessary to vent off combustion gasses. Some units can be vented either through the wall or roof.

Advantages of a gas over an electric tankless water heater is mainly an ability to deliver more hot water on demand. However, gas models have a shorter life than their electric counterparts. Repair parts may be available, depending upon the type you choose, which can extend the life of the water heater. Even gas tankless water heaters have a difficult time keeping up if more than one hot water tap is turned on at a time.

Another drawback to the tankless gas water heater is the need for a pilot light. The pilot light is needed to heat the water for use. Many of the newer units employ and electronic ignition system, so there is no pilot light which can dramatically lower the operating costs. For high altitude use, many manufacturers have high altitude chips which need to be installed for proper operation of the unit.

Gas tankless water heaters can deliver more hot water on demand than their electric counterparts. However, installation and operation costs may be higher and the installation possibilities are less flexible.

Electric Tankless Water Heaters

2008-08-27T09:48:00.001-07:00

An electric tankless water heater will offer you the greatest energy savings. This is because the electric unit has no pilot light to keep burning, like a gas tankless water heater. An electric tankless is offers more installtion possibilities because it can be installed in more places. A gas tankless unit will require a vent to be installed to vent off combustion gasses. This is unnecessary in an electric tankless water heater.

Compact units can be installed as point of use water heaters under sinks, on shower heads and near appliances which use more hot water. Whole house units can take the place of a conventional water heater at a central point. If the main water heater proves inadequate, the smaller point of use ones can still be installed to supply more water where it is needed.

Two main drawbacks to the electric tankless water heaters is the large amount of power that they use to heat the water, and the lesser flow rates at which they will supply it. Expect to be able to provide hot water at rates between one and five gallons per minute, with the larger amount only supplied by the very largest units with the largest power needs. Even the biggest units will have problems supplying hot water for simultaneous uses. To compensate for this deficiency, two tankless units may be installed in series, or smaller point of use units installed where the hot water is needed the most.

Electric tankless water heaters will probably offer the lowest installation costs, as electric lines are cheaper to run than gas lines, and there is no need to vent it. If you are replacing a conventional gas unit, a suitable vent and supply line may already be present, so this needs to be taken into account.

The tankless electric water heater will probably offer the greatest savings in energy costs, have more adaptable installation possibilities and be cheaper to install. Conversely, they will supply lower hot water flow rates, which may be problematic for larger households.

Tankless Water Heaters

2008-08-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Tankless, or demand, water heaters can make a lot of sense for the average homeowner. In terms of energy costs, a tankless can save a household anywhere from 8% - 34% depending upon the amount of hot water used per day in the household. Smaller households using less water generally will see a bigger savings than large households using more.

A tankless water heater will save money over a conventional water heater because it has no storage tank to store heated water in, thereby cutting energy loss from the stored water. Instead, the water is heated on demand as needed by the household. Additionally, tankless water heaters last about twenty years, as opposed to the ten to fifteen years for a conventional water heater. Many manufacturers of tankless water heaters supply repair parts for the heaters, which will dramatically extend their life.

A tankless water heater works by heating water as it enters the unit with a heat exchanger. The water flows out to the area it is needed. The heat exchanger can be heated by either gas or electric, depending upon the type of heater in use. Some tankless units have thermostats which allow you to set the desired temperature of the water output, enabling you to choose the water temperature you desire.

Most demand units can only supply hot water at a rate of two to five gallons per minute, depending upon the size of the unit. Most demand water heaters cannot supply sufficient water for multiple uses, such as a shower and washing machine simulteanously. To supply more hot water, hood up two units in series, or install another heater at the point the water is being used. Seperate units for showers can be installed, as well as smaller point of use units for sinks or washing machines.

When you select a tankless water heater, you will need to consider the type of fuel available, the amount of hot water needed in the household, and energy and installation costs.

Laminate Floor Over Concrete

2008-08-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Laminate floor may be installed over concrete just like just about any other subfloor. You may want to take certain steps before installation. Cleaning the concrete floor thoroughly and mopping with bleach first will ensure that there are no microorganisms present. Then you will want to lay down the best quality under layment recommended for your laminate floor. The best under layments will give the best vapor barrier protection as well as wicking away any moisture which may accumulate under the floor.

Laminate Floor Underlayment

2008-07-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

It is best to install an underlayment beneath the laminate floor. Some of the newer floors already have the underlayment bonded to them, so the additional installation step of laying the underlayment is not necessary.

Manufacturers all have their own guidelines for underlayment, but in general you will find three different types. The lowest cost underalayment will provide the least sound reduction and less protection against moisture. It will help smooth irregularities in the subfloor and give some sound reduction.

The second level of laminate floor underlayment will provide additional sound protection and act as a moisture barrier. It will also help with subfloor irregularities and chemical absorbancy.

The highest quality of laminate flooring underlayment will provide superior sound control, moisture barrier and help your laminate floor sound like a real wood floor. These can help wick water away from the floor and disburse it so it can evaporate. This type of underlayment is the best to use over concrete subfloor as it has superior moisture barrier qualities.

Laminate Floor Installation

2008-07-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Installation of laminate floor is a fairly easy job well within the scope of the experienced do-it-yourselfer. The laminate floor panels may be cut using a sabre or circular saw. The interlocking nature of the panels ensures a tight fit without the use of adhesives.

Laminate floor may be installed over sub floor, vinyl floors, tile, and some types of carpet. It can also be installed over concrete flooring. Before installation, a good quality under layment should be put down, unless the type of laminate you purchased has the under layment already bonded to it.

The laminate panels should be staggered during installation, with pieces cut off one end used to start the row on the other side. Most manufacturers recommend no pieces less than twelve inches long. The panels will interlock pretty easily along the long side. The ends will need a little encouragement. It is best to buy the special tools made to make installation easier. These include the pull bar, tapping block and spacers. You can use a block of wood on the end in place of the tapping block, but the chances that you will mar the end are pretty good.

Cleaning Laminate Floors

2008-07-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

The manufacturer of the flooring you choose it the ultimate source of cleaning your laminate floor. But there are some general guidelines to follow which should apply to cleaning just about any laminate floor you buy and install.

Clean the floor regularly with a vacuum cleaner, dust mop or broom. Keeping dirt off the floor helps it maintain its lustrous appearance.

Do not saturate the floor using a wet mop. Instead, use a damp mop to lightly moisten the floor to remove stubborn stains and smudges. Dry the floor quickly using a towel or turn on ceiling fans.

The manufacturer will recommend specific products to be used cleaning its laminate floors. Use these cleaners following the manufacturers recommedations.

Do not use soap, abrasives, polishes or waxes on laminate floors. These products may destroy the finish on a laminate floor.

Always wipe up spills immeddiatly. These are wood products and they do not like moisture.

Remove tough stains like shoe polish, tar and ink with acetone or acetone based nail polish remover. Do not use excessive amounts of acetone to clean the laminate floor.

Candle wax and chewing gum may be removed by applying an ice pack. This will harden the material and it can be removed with a plastic scraper. Do not use a metal one, and be careful with the plastic one.

These methods of cleaning laminate floors are meant only as a guide. Please follow the manufacturers recommendations on the specific floor you install.

Laminate Floor Ratings

2008-07-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) has developed a rating system for laminate floors which many American companies are beginning to use. The system is used to denote the durability factor for a particular floor. Floors are tested for a series of qualities and assigned an AC rating based upon the results of this test. If a flooring fails just one test, it is rejected. Below is a basic outline of the AC Ratiing System. Note that AC 3 can be used for either residential or light commercial uses. The course texture of AC 4 and AC 5 may make them unsuitable for residential uses. Walking barefoot on such floors can be uncomfortable and they may ruin stockings and other clothing.

AC 1 House, One Person, 21 (Residential, Moderate Traffic: Suitable for bedrooms or guest rooms)

AC 2 Residential, General Traffic: Suitable for living rooms or dining rooms

AC 3 Residential, Heavy Traffic: Suitable for all areas

AC 3 Commercial, Moderate Traffic: Hotel rooms, small office

AC 4 Commercial, General Traffic: Office, boutique, café

AC 5 Commercial, Heavy Traffic: Public buildings, department stores

Bamboo Flooring

2008-07-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

One of the newer materials to home flooring products is a bit of a surprise. Bamboo is becoming a very popular material to use for flooring. It is quite hard, harder in fact than some hardwoods. It is also very moisture resistant. Bamboo flooring is quite resiliant, durable and attractive. It is so rsistant to moisture that it is recommended for bathrooms and kitchens.

Bamboo is not a tree. It is member of the grass family. Bamboo grows very fast, thus will produce flooring material much faster than a tre. Growing to over fifty feet tall, it can be harvested for flooring in as little as five years.

Cork Flooring

2008-07-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

Cork is harvested from the Cork Oak Tree. This tropical tree can live for 200 years. The bark is the valuable part of the tree, and can be first harvested when the tree is twenty five years old. The tree's bark can be harvested every nine years after that.

Cork floors are extrmely durable. Some floors in existance have been in use for 100 years or more. Cork has been installed in the Library of Congress. Cork flooring is insect and microbial resistant. It also has excellent insulation properties, is soft on the feet, and cuts down on sound when walked on.

Cork is naturally resiliant, and when stepped on by a high heel, it will compress, but bounce back quickly to its original shape. Cork floors are easy to clean. No special cleaners are needed, but moisture should be wiped up immediately so it does not get absorbed into the wood.

Exotic Laminate Floors

2008-07-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Exotic Wood Laminate Floors include woods not found in North America. Most of these species are from tropical regions of Africa and countries like Burma, the Philapines in Southeast Asia and the South American countries of Argentina and Brazil.

The species would include woods like teak, mahogany, Brazilian walnut, rosewood, and African Hickory. The rich hues of these woods can enliven just about any home with their unique colors and grain patterns.

Laminate Flooring

2008-07-08T16:17:00.001-07:00

Laminate floorings are available in a wide variety of designs, textures, and ratings. The most popular are the wood grain types. These simulate hardwood floors at a much lower cost. Just about any tree species that is found on the face of the earth is replicated by some laminate flooring manufacturer. You will also find stone and ceramic tile designs.

European, and some American manufacturers use a rating system to designate use recommendations for their floors. The rating system ranges from AC1 through AC5. Most low end laminate floors, which are cheaper, are rated AC1. These floors are best utilized in low traffic areas of the home. AC3 is the highest rated flooring recommended for the home. This rating is designated as high traffic residential to light commercial. AC4 and AC5 are rated as commercial grade. There would be no reason to install a laminate floor of these ratings in the average home.

Laminate floors are usually composed of two to three layers. The pattern layer is the top layer. It is composed of a screen which is usually aluminum oxide and is very resistant to scratches, scrapes, scuffs, stains and burns. The next layer is composed of High Density Fiber (HDF). This layer is very hard and durable. The locking system is usually routed into this layer.

The third layer, if there is one, is the under layment layer. This is composed of a foam material which is designed to cut down on the noise caused by hard soles walking in hard floors. It also will help resist the formation of molds and mildews under the floor.

Modern laminate floors are designed to be free floating. This means that they are installed without fastening them down. They can be installed over vinyl flooring, concrete, subfloor and low nap carpet. The locking system allows you to unlock and replace damaged planks if you need to without taking up the entire floor.

Hardwood Floors

2008-07-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

These are really not laminates, as the hardwood flooring is really a solid wood plank. These floors are similar to the laminates in the way they are installed. Using tongue and groove snap together technique, the hardwood floors are easy and fast to install. Hardwood flooring typically has more warmth and texture than the laminate floorings and may be refinished when they start to look dull and scratched. A hardwood floor will add value to your home, while a laminate floor may not.

Types of Laminate Floors

2008-07-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Laminate floorings are available in a variety of types. You will find hardwood, laminate, exotics, handscraped, and cork. Most floors resemble wood flooring, but there are even styles which resemble ceramic tile when installed.

All laminate flooring types are similiarly manufactured. There is a solid core of a dense material which is clad on top with the tough pattern layer which is extremely resistant to stains, scratching, chipping and burns.

Laminate flooring should be installed on an underlayment which helps deter mold and mildew. It also cuts down on the racket produced by walking on wood floors with hard soled shoes. Some types of laminate floors have the underlayment already bonded to the flooring plank on the bottom, making these the easiest and fastest to install.

Laminate Floor Guide

2008-06-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

Laminate floors have become quite popular the last few years, and for good reason. Available in a wide variety of styles, colors, finishes and types laminate flooring adds to this ease of installation which brings down the cost of new flooring by making it a do it yourself operation.

A modest investment in tools allows the homeowner to lay these floors down with a minimun of effort, no smelly, messy adhesives for an instant new look for the home. We recently laid wood laminate floors in our home, covering almost the entire downstairs with it.

Since, we have noticed much less allergy problems than we had with our former carpeted rooms. The floors are easy to clean and keep much less dust and no dust mites. The rooms look larger and the entire home is brighter and cleaner.

Spring House Maintenance - Home Air Conditioner Check

2008-03-27T05:23:00.000-07:00

Another important thing to check in the spring is the home air conditioner system. It is important to have a qualified service technician check this out every spring before hot weather starts. Refrigerant levels may be low, there may be loose connections in the lines or other problems to be fixed before the unit kicks in and starts working. A broken refrigerant line will leak coolant and burn out an expensive compressor.

It is best to get the unit serviced in the early spring, while the technicians are not quite as busy than to have it fail during their busy time.

Spring House Maintenance - Raingutters and Downspouts

2008-03-24T06:57:00.000-07:00

Heavy spring rains here in Indiana caused the flooding of many basements in the area. The biggest reason basements flood are due to raingutters which are clogged and overflow. The rainwater pours down next to the foundation and over the basement wall, or through tiny cracks in the walls. Over the winter the gutters take a beating from the weather, with ice buildups and the autumn leaves which may have collected in them. The leaves may have them flowed into the downspouts, stopping them up and causing a problem.
The spring is a good time to call a gutter installation company to come and inspect your gutters and downspouts. They can clean the gutters, install leaf guard systems and clear the downspouts. The gutter man may also find problems with your perimeter drain system and make recommendations for repair. If you don't have a perimeter drain system around your foundations, it may be advisable to have one installed. This is an expensive problem to fix, but if you want to keep your basement dry and avoid mold and mildew problems it may be an important thing to have done.

Checking Your Basement Sump Pump

2008-03-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here in southeastern Indiana we have had some really heavy rains over the last few days. Many homeowners found out, too late, that their basement sump pump had failed. This created quite a problem because the rains were widespread over Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky so sump pumps failure was wide spread. Because of this, area plumbers were quite busy and in many cases their stocks of sump pumps were depleted.

Many homeowners found out too late the importance of checking the sump pump periodically to make sure it works. This is a very easy thing to check. Just go into your basement, or whereever your sump pump is located. Pour enough water into the sump so the float that activates the pump floats up to its upper level. If the pump does not activate, or possibly makes a "funny noise" it may need to be checked out by a plumber and replaced.

Basement sump pumps last on average seven years, so if the pump is very old it may pay to have it replaced even if it works. If replaced, write the date of the replacement on a piece of paper, seal in a plastic zip type storage bag and tape it securely to a pipe or other item near the pump. Best to replace a questionable pump than have it fail when you need it most. Flooded basements are no fun.

Types of Radiant Heat

2008-03-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

When you are exploring the option of installing radiant heat for your home you will find there are several different types of systems. Which type of radiant heat you choose will depend upon the design of the home, the fuel sources available and your preferences.

Hydronic radiant heat is the most popular type of radiant heat, as well as the most versitle. It can be installed in a concrete slab before pouring and under floor joists. It can utilize just about any heat source including solar, electric, oil, propane or natural gas. Hydronic heat may also be installed in a sidewalk to be used to melt snow and ice.

Electric cables is another type of radiant heat which can be installed in the home. These can also be installed in a concrete slab or under a wood sub floor. This type of radiant heat may also be installed in concrete sidewalks and driveways to melt snow and ice. This type of radiant heat system may also be installed under ceramic floor tiles.

Another type of electric radiant heat are heating panels which may be installed under sub floors or above ceilings. The panels typically come in rolls which are cut to length and stapled in place between floor or ceiling joists.

Looking for something which may be installed over a wood or concrete sub floor. There is a type of electric low voltage
radiant heat available for this purpose. Z-mesh from Warmzone is a bronze screen which may be stapled to wood, or glued to
concrete. Carpet, laminate, or tile may be installed directly over this low voltage heating system.

In your search through the different types of electric radiant heat you will find many different systems. With diligent research you will find just the kind best suitable for your application.

How Does Radiant Heat Work?

2008-03-10T05:41:00.000-07:00

Radiant heat works using a process called conduction. The radiant heating system heats your home using infrared rays from an energy source directly to your home. Radiant heat works best if it installed under the floor of the home. If installed this way, the radiant heat heats the floor directly, ensuring the most efficient heating system you can use. Radiant heat is the same method the sun uses to heat the earth.

Hydronic systems use pipes installed directly under the floor. Electric systems use either heating cables or panels. Hydronic systems can use any one of several different types of fuel sources - electric, gas, wood, propane or oil. Radiant heat is more efficient and comfortable because the objects in the room are heated directly by the heating system. Floors, furniture, carpets, and of course humans, are warmed by the infrared rays radiating upwards from the heating system.

Radiant heat does not circulate air in the home. Thus, mold, dust, pollen and other contaminats in the atmosphere of the home are cut down. Because of the way it works, radiant heat is the cleanest, most efficient way to heat a home.

Electric Radiant Floor Heat - Retrofit Panels

2008-03-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

Existing homes may have electric radiant floor heat installed if there is a basement or crawl space. We recently installed WarmZone's Retrofit Electric Heating Panels in our home, replacing the existing baseboard electric heat. The heating panels come in a roll, which is cut to the desired length using a tin snips or scissors. Special clips are provided which must be crimped to one end of the panel, the other end must be taped over the electric leads with electric tape.

The panels are then stapled in place between the wooden floor joists. The panels are wired together in parallel and connected to a special thermostat designed for this heat. In our case, I was able to use the original circuits which ran to the baseboard heat, as the electricity requirements was the same. Then three inch unfaced fiberglass insulation is placed under the panels. The fiberglass forces the heat up.

Our electric radiant floor heat works really well. The floors are warm and the heating cost for our home appears to be not excessive at all. Previously, we heated primarily with wood heat, so I have no previous heating bills to compare, but our electric bill was in the three hundred fifty dollar range for all our heat, hot water and cooking.

Warmzone Comfortile Electric Radiant Floor Heat

2008-03-05T06:42:00.000-08:00

We recently enclosed a porch, creating a sun room. To heat the additional space, we installed the Warmzone ComforTile electric radiant floor heat system. The system was relatively easy to install with good instructions and a minimum of components. The components include ComfortTile strap, thermostat, electric heating cable, an alarm, and floor sensor. The scope of this article is just to provide some general informaion, as he complete installation is covered in the included manual. The thermostat can be installed on any wall, as it relies on the floor sensor, not air temperature, for activation.

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Radiant Heat For A Concrete Floor

2008-03-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

We recently installed a WarmZone Zmesh radiant floor heating system in an upstairs remodeling project. This was an area of our home which had never been finished. It is around 700 square feet, just about the upper limit that the manufacturer recommends for a Zmesh radiant floor heat installation.

This is a versatile low voltage radiant floor heating system which can be installed over wood sub floor or concrete. The key components of this system are the Zmesh,, the transformer , thermostat and transition plates. Transformer converts standard 220 volt AC to low voltage DC which the Zmesh bronze screen converts to radiant heat. The thermostat tells the transformer when to supply heat. The transition plates are the connecting points for the cold lead wire from the transformer and the Zmesh screen.

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Radiant Heat To Melt Snow On Roof and Driveway

2008-03-03T06:43:00.000-08:00

Imagine never having to shovel snow off your driveway or sidewalk again! Radiant heat may also be used for snow removal on roofs, driveways and sidewalks. Both resistance and hydronic heating systems may be used to melt the snow.

Resistance type snow melt systems for smaller driveways may consist of electric heat cables installed under the concrete or asphalt. For areas under 2000 square feet this type of system is usually economical. The cable used for this application is specially made to withstand the heat, pressure and extreme weather conditions. Systems usually include a sensor which will sense cold temperatures and moisture content of the air. The correct readings will activate the heating systems automatically to melt the snow on the driveway or sidewalk. There is usually a timer device which will shut the system down after a certain period of time.

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Radiant Heat For A Concrete Floor

2008-02-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

For radiant heat for a concrete floor in a home you have a variety of choices. It is best to decide you want radiant heat in the floor before the concrete is poured. At this point the choices are better and more numerous.

The first choice for an unpoured concrete slab would be a hydronic radiant system. Once the forms are up, the PEX tubing can be laid out, connections made and other arrangements made. Then the concrete floor is poured with the tubing in place. There are many hydronic radiant companies offering this type of system.

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Installing Warmzone Zmesh Radiant Floor Electric Heat

2008-02-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

Radiant Heat To Melt Snow On Roof and Driveway

2008-02-27T06:51:00.000-08:00

Radiant Electric Floor Heat

2008-02-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

Electric radiant heating systems employ a heating cable which can be installed below the flooring between the floor joists, under carpet, vinyl, or wood floor coverings, in the walls or ceilings. These are usually the easiest and economical systems to install, but operating costs may be higher than hydronic systems.

Electric radiant floor heating systems are available in several different forms. The systems range from simple supplementary heat to whole house systems capable of supplying radiant heat to your home.

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Hydronic Radiant Floor Heat Systems

2008-02-25T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hydronic radiant floor heat systems consist of hot water pipes running below the floor joists, or under the floor covering. The hot water in the tubing warms the floor and rises into the living space of the home, heating it. These systems are typically more expensive to install, but the operating costs can be lower. Many options are available for heating the water in hydronic systems as natural gas, LP gas, oil, electric, solar, or wood heating sources may be used to heat the water. In small homes a large domestic water heater may be used to supply the water for the system, larger homes may require a boiler. Some systems allow the hot water heater to provide both domestic hot
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Radiant Floor Heat

2008-02-22T05:32:00.000-08:00

Radiant in floor heat for your home is the most efficient way to deliver heat. The heat is produced just below the floor of the dwelling, not in a furnace which must be piped to the various rooms. Since the heat is produced under the floor, occupants of the room feel warmer than they do with a conventional forced air heating system. And the room air temperature may be kept lower than a conventional system needs to be kept, since feet are near the heat source and are kept warm.

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Heating the Sunroom

2008-01-31T16:53:00.000-08:00

Some thought must be given to heating the sunroom before any construction begins. If you are building a three season sunroom, which is cut off from the house by a wall and door, supplemental heating may not be needed or desired. If heating is desired in such a structure, a gas or electric space heater may be sufficient.

Heating a four season sunroom deserves a bit more thought and planning. The type of heating system you use will depend very much on the construction of the sunroom itself. It may be possible to extend the ductwork of your present home heating system into the sunroom.

If you are converting an existing porch into a sunroom, other options may need to be explored. If the sunroom addition will be over an existing concrete slab, it is possible to install radiant electrict heating cables on the floor, then tile over them with a ceramic tile. This provides a quite satisfactory way to provide heat.

If the sunroom requires a new slab to be poured, you may want to investigate hydronic radiant heat. PEX tubing may be installed before concrete is poured. Special electric heat cables can also be installed before the concrete is poured to provide an electric radiant heating system to the sunroom.

If you have, or are going to build, a wood floor with crawl space under the sunroom, it may be possible to place a small underfloor furnace or space heater there. Or you can investigate the possibility of using a space heater installed right in the wall joist area, if there is sufficient room. The choice of fuel you use will be determined by what is available to you.

Whatever you decide, it pays to consult a heating technician before you build the sunroom. This professional can help you choose a heating system for your sunroom.

Sunroom Orientation

2008-01-30T07:06:00.000-08:00

The orientation of the sunroom will rest ultimately with your homes design. Irregardless of any other consideration, you must take into consideration your home's layout and where the sunroom addition would make the most sense. It needs to be placed in a manner that it gets used, or where there is room for the addition.

Ideally, the sunroom orientation should be to the south. This creates the highest level of energy efficiency for the addition. It can gather the sun's rays during the day and redistribute some of this warmth to the rest of the home using ceiling or floor fans.

If a south facing orientation is not possible, then next best might be southeast or southwest. Trees which block the sun, or neighboring building must also be taken into consideration. Deciduous trees may be an advantage to the sunroom, as in winter they lose their leaves and allow the sun to shine through. In summer, the leaf canopy may provide shade to the sunroom, creating better cooling energy efficiency.

The next best orientation for the sunroom addition would either be to the east or west. One of these would at least give some sun during part of the day.

The least desirable orientation for the sunroom would be a north facing location, unless, of course the person reading this is in the southern hemisphere. Facing north would guarantee almost no sun, so the addition would provide no heating for the home and very little for itself.

The Sunroom Kit

2008-01-29T14:28:00.000-08:00

A kit can be an affordable way to add a sunroom to your home. Since the parts are all made to standard sizes, the manufacturing costs are reduced. This adds up to significant materials savings to the customer.

Sun room kits are generally geared to the do it your selfer, so they are usually fairly easy to assemble for the moderately skilled home owner. Assembly more....

Enclosing a Porch For A Sunroom Addition

2008-01-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

Adding a sunroom to your home may be as simple as enclosing a porch. Depending upon the location and construction of the
porch, this could the the simplest and most economical sunroom addition you can make.

The key elements of the porch would be the roof and flooring. If the roof is either attached to or part of the home's roof
the sunroom addition will be a much easier project. The flooring must be adequate to support the weight of the window
panels and doors needed to enclose it. If the floor is adequate, then the second problem is much simpler.

It is best to consult a competet contractor before beginning the addition of a sunroom, even if using an existing porch.
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The 3 Season Sun Room

2008-01-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

The 3 season sun room is classed as recreational outdoor living space and is separated from the living space with a wall. There are many different types of these types of sun rooms, some available as kits, others as ready built structures.

A 3 season sun room is basically an enclosed porch which help make a transition from the out of doors to the indoor environment of the home. It would not be open to the living space, nor heated by the heating system of the dwelling, though if it is glazed, it could have a space heater installed extend its use to colder days.

There are a couple of different types of 3 season sun rooms - the screened porch and glazed enclosures which can have the windows either slid or removed to reveal screened openings. The screened porch enclosures will have the most limited use - only during the warmest months of the year. They offer protection from sun and insects, not from temperatures. These are the most economical additions to construct, They can be wonderful places to spend warm summer evenings, watching the world go by as you enjoy a cold drink. The best thing is, the mosquitoes can't get to you!

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The Four Season Sunroom

2008-01-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

The four season sunroom has the most use potential of any other type of sunroom. They may be used as a private dining area or reading room. A hot tub may be installed as well. The sunroom may be used to grow tropical plants, to start seedlings for the outdoor garden, or even to grow some vegetables and herbs for the table.

Good window glazing must be used to minimize heat loss, and some type of window shading system should be installed to prevent overheating in the summer as well as cut heat loss at night.

The advantages of a four season sunroom are many, but there are a few disadvantages. The sunroom, unless carefully designed, may prove to be an overall energy loss for the home. Because the sunroom is so well glazed, summer sounds from the outdoors may be inaudible on the inside. Rural home dwellers may notice this more than urbanites, as the summer in the country is filled with many soothing sounds.

Like all home improvement projects, it pays to research a bit before deciding which type of four season sunroom to choose. Your needs should always be balanced by your budget and the limits of what your home and property will allow you to construct.

Building A Sunroom - Questions

2008-01-22T10:44:00.000-08:00

When you decide to build a sunroom addition to your home, you will need to decide what you expect from the finised sunroom when it is finished. Do you want year round use? Or do you want to just use it during the warm months? Is the sunroom to be used as a lunch or breakfast nook? Or will it be used to garden? The answers to these and other questions will decide what type of design you choose for your sunroom. It pays to scrutinize your needs carefully before you start to build a sunroom as an addition to your home.

There are many different designs for a sunroom addition. Three season, four season, sunroom kits, custom sunrooms, and passive solar heating sunrooms to name just a few. Some are suitable for do it yourself installation, others must be professionally installed. Some thought with heating the sunroom must be given before design is begun. Sometimes the sunroom may be tied into the homes heating system. Other times, the heating system may be built into the floor. Or a simple space heating unit may be satisfactory. It just depends upon the ultimate purpose of your sunroom addition.

The next several articles will explore sunrooms, the types available and the benefits of each type. So check in often and we will explore adding a sunromm to your home.

Adding A Sunroom To Your Home

2008-01-21T06:58:00.000-08:00

A well designed sunroom can add many things to a home. The sunroom can mean extra living space, a cozy breakfast nook, growing area for plants or a combination of all these things. The sunroom can also provide solar energy to warm the home on sunny winter days and the addition of shades can lessen the energy needs to heat it at night. The sunroom can also showcase a view of a garden, patio, or any other restful scenes outside the home.

The next several articles will explore sunrooms, the types available and the benefits of each type. So check in often and we will explore adding a sunromm to your home.