Explanation On Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant

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If you take a look at the water heaters available in the market then you will notice that they are all FVIR or Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant ones. From 2005 onwards, all the water heaters produced in North America are FVIR ones. In the past, water heaters running on propane or Liquefied Petroleum and natural gas caused tremendous fires in case there are flammable liquids such as gasoline nearby and gas spills occur. Thankfully, with FVIR models, things are a lot safer as these models boast of an impressive design that helps in preventing flashback fires.

In case of a flammable vapor ignition resistant water heater, its technology prevents flashback fires from breaking out by trapping and burning the hazardous gas vapors inside its body instead of in the room. The ignited vapors do not get released to the combustion chamber and the air flow towards the combustion chamber is one-way. This type of heater also comes with an inner door and a burner assembly which ensures that the combustion chamber is sealed and that the flammable vapors and combustion air do not enter this chamber from the front side of the water heater.
Thanks to FVIR water heaters, a lot of injuries and even deaths associated with accidental fire can be prevented. This special type of water heater also produces very little Nitrogen Oxides in case of emissions, therefore it is quite environmental-friendly as well. It is made up of a flame arrestor plate, a thermal cutoff switch and a screen for protecting the combustion process from dust, lint or oil.

This type of water heater is designed in such a manner that vapors aren’t ignited outside the combustion chamber at all, thus minimizing the risks of fire to a great extent! In case the flames travels in an opposite direction and ignite the vapor outside the combustion chamber of the water heater then the multi-purpose calibrated thermal switch automatically shuts down the main burner and the pilot on detecting the problem. Flammable vapor ignition resistant water heaters are a cut above the rest, therefore it is extremely beneficial to invest in one such heater. Call (800) 542-4243 to get your FVIR water heater installed and experience the difference!

Solutions To Cold Water Sandwich Effect

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What is the cold water sandwich effect?

A cold water sandwich effect refers to the phenomenon where the water from a heater is warm for first few minutes, then there is a burst of cold water, and then the water quickly returns to being warm again. This is a common phenomenon with tankless water heaters. There is some water which remains stored in warm condition at the mouth of the faucet or other outlets, which means when someone runs the tap or the shower, he will receive some hot water instantly. However, a tankless heater takes some time to heat up the exchanger and during that time, some cold water may get through the exchanger and reach the user. This is what results in the cold water sandwich effect. This should not be too great an inconvenience if you are turning on the heater for minor use, but you may not like it too much if you are under a shower!

The phenomenon is more common to electric water heaters than it is with gas powered heaters. The reason for this is that gas reaches the operating temperature almost immediately, whereas electric heaters may take a minute or two to reach the required temperature for heating.

However, there are solutions to this situation. Installing a recirc loop which will return the cold water back to the heater through the help of flow check valves is a common solution. But on the downside, this system results in overwork of the heater. This does not only mean greater energy consumption, but the longevity of the system suffers, too. An alternative is to plug in a small 110V 5-6 gallon tank heater to the outlet and add the recirc loop from the tank to the tankless heater. This way, the heater is spared any overwork and energy consumption remains to the minimum. For a better understanding of how this system works, interested customers can download a diagram of the process from the Rinnai website, the manufacture of the second kind of heater described above.

For any other plumbing and HVAC needs for your home, do give us a call today and we will get back to you immediately.

What Is I.A.Q (Indoor Air Quality)?

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What Is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality is defined as the air quality within or around the buildings. The indoor air quality can be affected by a variety of things, including wood, coal, tobacco products, kerosene, gas and oil.The central air conditioning and heating system can also have a negative impact on indoor air quality.

Additionally, outdoor sources can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. Outdoor air pollution, pesticides and radon are examples of outside sources that may affect indoor air quality.

How Does Indoor Air Quality Harm Health?

Immediate Effects

One of the reasons indoor air pollution is a concern is because it has been linked to many health problems. In fact, many people notice the effects after being exposed to indoor air pollution for a short amount of time. Dizziness, headaches, sore throat and irritation around the eyes, nose and mouth are some of the immediate effects of indoor air pollution.

Many factors determine the effects indoor air pollution has on the person who is being exposed to it. Preexisting medical conditions and age are two of those factors. People who are exposed to indoor air pollution may experience symptoms similar to those of colds and other respiratory problems. It is often difficult to determine whether a person’s symptoms were caused by the exposure to indoor air pollution or a respiratory illness.

Long-Term Effects

Many people do not notice the effects of indoor air pollution until years after they have been exposed to it. In many cases, long-term exposure to indoor pollution can cause serious health problems. Cancer and heart disease are two of the health conditions linked to long-term exposure to indoor air pollution.

It is important to note people react differently to exposure to indoor air pollution. More research needs to be conducted in order to fully understand the health effects of indoor air pollution. Researchers are also trying to determine how much pollution one needs to be exposed to in order to experience adverse health effects.

You may want to have the air quality in your home tested. Call us to schedule your indoor air quality testing today.

Furnace Warning Signs To Know

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If you own a car you probably have certain signs that you know to watch out for when it comes to the health and well-being of your car. You know that if you hear certain noises or see certain things, it is time to take action, or even take it in for repairs. The same should be try for your HVAC system, including your furnace. Paying attention to these signs can help decrease the amount you spend to fix your furnace in the long run, as well as keeping your furnace running in its best shape. Here are the top signs to pay attention to when it comes to your furnace:

Furnace Warning Sign #1: A Yellow Flame
The flame on the ignition of your furnace should be a pure blue. If it appears yellow, orange or red, this is of great concern. The pure blue color lets you know that your furnace is getting the appropriate mixture of oxygen and gas, as it should. This warning sign should be taken very seriously. Obstructed airflow can be one part of this problem.

Furnace Warning Sign #2: Old Furnace
Many furnaces can last an upwards of 10-20 years, and yours may be one of them. However, once a furnace reaching the decade mark, it is much more susceptible to breakdowns and the need for repairs. Do not press your luck too long, or you will be freezing while trying to pay for a new furnace.

Furnace Warning Signs #3: A Broken Thermostat
You may have a problem with the thermostat on your furnace if it is constantly clicking on and off, or if you notice it runs a lot without getting or keeping your home at its desired temperature. This would warrant a call to your local HVAC contractor.

Furnace Warning Signs #4: Smells and Sounds
Keep an eye out for any strange smells or sounds coming from your HVAC system. These are both strong warning signs that your furnace may need repair or replacement.

If your furnace has been exhibiting any of these systems, or you just feel that it is time for a maintenance call and furnace inspection, give your local HVAC contractors and company today.

Efficiency Standards For HVAC Equipment: Are They Going Up Soon?

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The national energy strategy is a hot topic of conversation these days, and home HVAC occupies a reasonable spot in the limelight. Half of the energy used by residential buildings goes to heating and cooling; therefore, the Department of Energy pays careful attention to heating, ventilation and air conditioning efficiency standards. Unfortunately, raising the standards is not as simple as it sounds.

Back in 2011, the DOE made the decision to improve the HVAC efficiency standards by May 2013. The new standards would have raised the current minimum AFUE standard of 78 to 90% efficiency. AFUE means annual fuel utilization efficiency. An AFUE rating of 78 means that the unit wastes 22% of the fuel it uses while a unit with AFUE rating of 90 wastes only 10% of the fuel it uses.

Before the effective date of implementation, various stakeholders challenged the rule, stating that the new efficiency standards for boilers and furnaces would be too costly for many homeowners. Replacing a standard furnace with a condensing furnace with a rating of 90 AFUE is not as straightforward as switching out the dishwasher or refrigerator. A high–efficiency condensing furnace requires a different venting system, which could force the homeowner to abandon or reconstruct the existing venting system to accommodate the new furnace.

Due to a court order, the Department of Energy had to postpone the implementation of the new HVAC efficiency standards, and it could take years until a new ruling goes into effect. As it stands, there have been very few changes to the heating and cooling efficiency requirements since 1992, which is when the Department of Energy set the minimum AFUE rating at 78. In 2007, the Department of Energy proposed raising the minimum AFUE to 80; however, this proposal had little meaning since nearly all modern furnaces already meet that standard.

From the perspective of an energy conservationist, the delay in the implementation of the proposed efficiency standards is regrettable, since keeping the standards low is causing more pollution and waste. On the other hand, one can always make an individual decision to invest in high–efficiency HVAC systems to enjoy greater comfort, energy savings, and lower carbon footprint.

Homeowners should call their local HVAC contractors for questions about HVAC efficiency standards and services.

Ensure That You Have Adequate Protection From Power Surges

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Even though a power surge is a very serious threat, most of us don’t spend much time protecting our homes from them. A home breaker box has a surge protective device installed in it. If you rely solely upon this device, you may find out the hard way that your Home Power Surge Protection is not adequate enough to protect your utilities from power surges.

Though there is no way to fully guarantee that your home appliances are completely safe, there are a couple of things you can do to better Protect Your Home Utilities. To protect your home from a power surge you should understand what causes a power surge to begin with. Most surges are caused from storms, accidents involving electric poles and lines, as well as when an electrician is working on power lines.

Power surges come in two categories, an external surge and an internal surge. One type of internal power surge that many of us are unaware of is a surge that tends to target expensive HVAC appliances. This internal surge does not immediately damage your air conditioner; it does it over a period of time.

When an a/c unit cycles on it has to pull a lot of power to turn on, and it causes a large current to course through electrodes to push the power back into the electrical lines. Over time the electrodes inside an air conditioner can become worn out because of the strong electric currents that are pushed out when the unit cycles off.

Other appliances can also be damaged when a strong or sudden electrical current is directed into them from a power surge. There is no true way to know when a surge will occur. This means that your best defense is to implement additional surge protection equipment into your homes electrical system.

To do this you can install surge protection electrical outlets and use power strips. A power surge can be a costly mishap, but you can better protect your home by using surge protection devices. Another way you can protect valuable HVAC appliances is to schedule a power surge inspection along with regular HVAC Maintenance.

Get Energy Saving Tips From The Certified Pros

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When researching tips to save energy this summer many homeowners are exposed to word terms they may not understand. One such term is found on the websites of HVAC companies, and that term is NATE certified. What does NATE certified mean? NATE is a nonprofit group that offers HVAC technicians an opportunity to prove their capabilities.

The way NATE does this by offering tests that cover every topic an HVAC technician needs to know. By obtaining NATE certification, technicians can increase their wages and employment opportunities. The NATE organization represents the entire heating and cooling industry as a whole.

NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence, and this organization represents companies and technicians that offer excellence in every sale, installation, and repair of HVAC equipment. After obtaining a high score on NATE tests, technicians can proudly boast that they have extensive knowledge in specific areas of the heating and cooling industry. Having this extensive knowledge enables HVAC employees to help homeowners learn how to conserve energy and save money on summer cooling bills.

Sharing tips such as changing a/c filters every few months, turning up thermostat temperatures and relying more on fans to stay cool, keeping blinds and heat blocking curtain panels shut, as well as installing programmable thermostats, has helped millions of home and business owners save money on annual energy bills. Teaching clients that keeping windows and doors sealed tightly, planting shade trees near windows and exterior HVAC equipment, and installing white shades or blinds to reflect heat, are other tips that that can save money.

NATE certified technicians can also help clients save money by teaching them about the benefits of residential zoning and by sharing the latest developments in energy efficient equipment with clients. Teaching clients about the importance of knowing what is nate certification, and why it is important to only hire certified technicians is another helpful tip. To learn more about saving energy this summer and make certain your air conditioner is performing at peak level, contact a local NATE certified HVAC company today. After all, it’s always best to trust a company that has already won over NATE, the HVAC industry’s harshest critic.

Tips For Creating A Summer Energy Savings Plan To Implement In Your Home

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When summer temperatures climb higher we tend to want to set our air conditioner temperatures lower so we will stay cool and comfortable. Unfortunately, if we do that our utility bills rise with our energy consumption. There are very effective ways to use your air conditioning system to stay cool while being fiscally and environmentally responsible as well. Now is the time to learn about all the many tips and ideas that are available to help homeowners build a successful and manageable Summer Energy Savings Plan that works for their particular home and lifestyle.

For homeowners with a house whose appliances and HVAC system are approaching replacement age, there are tips for saving energy that will not cost anything but can save some money on power bills. If replacement of any appliance is possible, though, it is important to remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® tag, label or license on new appliances. These units have an energy efficiency far superior to other appliances. Simple ways to conserve energy include only running the dishwasher, dryer and washing machine with full loads; washing clothes in cold water; line drying clothes instead; running the dishwasher’s wash cycle but turning it off before the dry cycle and letting the dishes air dry; and keeping the oven door closed when cooking so a great deal of the accumulated heat does not get wasted.

Simple household changes can make a big difference. Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. Open all the interior doors so air flow is not inhibited but at the same time close air vents in rooms you do not use. Keep the return air vent unblocked. Use ceiling fans when it is not hot enough for your A/C unit. One the hottest days, use the fans with your A/C to supplement it. Keep blinds and drapes closed on windows that allow direct sunlight inside. Keep doors and windows closed when air conditioning is running.

Older homes can benefit from some newer accessories. Install low-flow aerating shower heads and faucets. Insulate the water pipes coming from your water heater. Add additional R-30 rated insulation in your attic. Repair leaky faucets, because one drip per second adds up to around 2,300 gallons each year. Install a programmable thermostat on your HVAC system. Replace the five light fixtures you turn on the most with new ENERGY STAR® fixtures. Hook all electronics (television, computers, stereo) to power strips and turn power strips off when the electronics are not in use.

Implementing these changes will bring great benefits in lower utility bills and reduced energy consumption. Another tremendous way to save money is to learn all the ways installing a new and energy efficient HVAC system will promote HVAC Energy Savings Home Energy Savings this summer.