Fireplace inserts require a Stainless Steel liner to be installed in all masonry chimneys. A continuous stainless steel liner with approved cap and connector can be purchased at most building supplies stores in varying lengths. Call the Barrie WETT Inspector today for more information on installation.
There is nothing nicer than unwinding in front of a fire on a wintry day, and traditional fireplaces have a basic beauty and charm that appeals to several. On a cold day heating your home can get expensive. A fireplace is a great way to heat a room without running up your electric bill. Fireplace can be an energy efficient way to heat a room, Nonetheless, conventional fireplaces aren’t probably the most efficient means to heat a residence.
Most of the heat in a wood-burning fireplace escapes from the chimney. A wood fireplace insert transforms your fireplace into an effective heating mechanism for your residence, a lot like a wood burning stove, while maintaining the conventional overall look of a great fireplace.
A wood fireplace insert is essentially a wood burning stove that has been made to fit within an current fireplace. The insert is surrounded by a steel shell with a glass front cover, which ensures that most of the heated air is delivered to the room, as opposed to escaping into the masonry of the fireplace or by means of the chimney.
A elaborate face plate helps the fire place insert blend in with the physical appearance of the fireplace. When blended with a stainless steel chimney liner, a wood insert is efficient, reliable, and simple to clean and manage. The key to an efficient fireplace insert is proper installation, so be certain to hire an experienced installation technician.
Using a wood fireplace insert, your fireplace need no longer be purely decorative. With the insert put in, your fireplace will be able to heat your room resourcefully, keeping you warm and cozy while minimizing your heating bill. To get the most use and satisfaction out of your present fireplace, have an insert and chimney liner added this year.
If you are building a new home or retrofitting your heating system, check with local building officials for permits you may require. WETT Inspections are normally required by your insurance company.
Furnace Maintenance – Guides and Facts. The heating and cooling system your home has is one of the most important features of your house. Just like any other equipment, it needs regular servicing and maintenance to prevent it from breaking down when you need it most.
Maintenance can help with ensuring the heating and cooling system is working as designed and is safe for you and your family. Although it is uncommon to have some health issues regarding the use of heating and air conditioning unit in home, carbon monoxide is also a risk with a gas burning appliance and detectors should be installed for protection. Gas furnace technicians are trained to detect potential problems ranging from condensate lines to blockage of secondary heat exchangers that can lead to trouble now or in the future.
If you ever smell gas or chemicals when you are near your heating unit, you should evacuate the house and call 911. There are lots of cases where there have natural gas leaks in home due to faulty installation or parts. Failure to act swiftly in this type of situation has caused numerous fatalities and fire accidents at home. You should educate your family and review actions required of family members in case of emergency.
A malfunctioning heating and air conditioning system is the last thing that you need as they typically fail when they are needed most. Some home owners use a maintenance contract or just call a contractor once a year. Whatever method you choose maintaining your heating equipment it is an important part of preventive maintenance. A clean, well-adjusted heating system will save you money on fuel and prolong furnace life.
The Barrie Home Inspector performs a visual inspection of your furnace as well as operating unit to ensure normal functions. Items such as poor combustion and leaks from condensate are noted with recommendation for maintenance for repair.
The Best Gas Furnace for Your Home. Gas furnaces are the units that we never
forget for our homes during the cold season of winter. Most residents who live in areas where winter is prevalent for months often choose to have this unit running or choose to have boilers available in their homes. There are a lot of kinds of furnaces sold in the market nowadays. Although most are operated with the use of electricity, there are furnaces that are run through gas and fuels. There would be times that it is hard to find the right gas furnace to install at home. Here are some of the essential tips that will help you to find the best unit for your residence.
First, you should think about the type of furnace to install in your home. If you are done deciding for one then you should prepare enough budgets for it and start looking for the reliable unit. There are numerous heating systems available in the market nowadays and some can be really expensive when it comes to the unit itself. Therefore, you should find out whether the unit is suited to provide the necessary heat for your home during the winter season.
There are a lot of gas boilers available in the market nowadays, finding the right one for your home can be daunting. For a more energy and time-saving tip, you can call some reputable installers and ask for an assessment and quote. There are a lot of manufacturers for heating units, reviewing customer satisfaction ratings and complaints can isolate some units you may want to avoid. Talking to a specialist can often narrow choice down to accessories required and price.
There are a lot of manufacturers that do not just sell furnaces but they also provide after-services such as repairs and maintenance. It is recommended to buy the unit from a company that is willing to stand behind their product. There are a lot of companies that provide emergency service for their product 24/7. In order to ensure l peace of mind, you should consider purchasing the heating system from them.
There are many customer review sites available online. Customers who buy an inferior product are often very vocal when communicating their displeasure online. Research can help you determine the best heating product for you and your family.
Having a professional home inspection when purchasing a new home can identify age of furnace and any visible deficiencies. Most natural gas furnaces have a 20 year warranty on their heat exchanges and is considered the typical life expectancy of your furnace. When buying a home in Barrie, Alliston or Orillia call the Barrie Home Inspection Service for “Risk Free” evaluation of your property.
Furnace Maintenance Tips
Written by Roger Frost, the Barrie Home Inspector
Heating system and maintenance
In general, heating systems are easy to maintain and are usually trouble free. Efficient operation is a function of good regular maintenance. There are several things you can do to keep your heating system in top condition no matter the type of furnace you have. When a heating or cooling system fails, it is typically one of three things creating the issue ( the heat/cold source , the distribution system and/or the thermostat) . If the furnace or A/C doesn’t work , chances are the issue is at the source. The unit may have lost power , fuel may not be reaching the unit or the fuel may not be igniting. If the unit turns on but the cold or warm air isn’t reaching the rooms , the blower or distribution system may be faulty. A faulty thermostat or control , could keep the unit from turning on or cause it to turn on and off repeatedly. Whatever the problem, start with the simplest procedures. In most cases, all it takes is patience and common sense.
Before working on the system , take these preliminary steps:
Make sure the unit is receiving power . Make sure the unit doesn’t have a blown fuse or tripped breaker. Some furnaces have a separate power entrance on a separate panel and some have fuses mounted on or in the unit.
If the unit has a reset button , let the motor cool down and press the button. If it doesn’t work right away , wait a little while and try it again.
Make sure the units power switch is turned on. Remember , the unit may have a separate power switch.
If it is a gas burning unit, make sure the gas is on and the pilot light is lit. If it’s an oil burning unit check and make sure there is an adequate supply of oil.
If working on the system is necessary remember these important safety factors :
Before doing any work on the unit , make sure all power to the unit is turned off. Remember the unit could be on a separate panel. Make sure the breakers are tripped or the fuses are removed for the particular unit. If your not sure which breaker or fuse it is , trip the main breaker or remove the main fuse to shut off the power to the entire house.
If the unit is constantly tripping breakers or blowing fuses then there is an issue with the electrical. If this is the case , call a professional service person.
If your home smells of gas , leave your home immediately, leave the door open and call the gas company to report a leak. Do not turn any lights on or off and do not re-enter your home.
Keep your furnace clean
Dirt is your furnaces greatest enemy. It can waste fuel drastically lowering the units efficiency. Dirt affect three basic components on your furnace ( the filter , the blower and the motor ) so keeping them clean is the most important part of furnace maintenance. A disposable furnace filter should be replaced monthly during periods of continuous use. To check the filter , simply remove it and check to see if it looks clogged. If it looks clogged replace it regardless of how long it has been used. Install the filter with the arrow on the outer edge pointing towards the blower on the inside of the furnace. The filter size should be marked on the outer edges of the filter.
A permanent filter can usually be cleaned with a filter coating chemical which should be available at your local hardware store. Clean this filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions which may be located in the furnace housing.
Cleaning the blower assembly is also important for maintaining your furnace because the openings can often become clogged with dirt. To clean blower, remove panel that covers filter to gain access to blower or panel on front of furnace. This panel may be slip-fit on hooks or held by series of retaining screws. Access to inside of blower is usually gained by sliding out fan unit, which is held on track by screws. With toothbrush, clean each fan blade and spaces between blades. Then, with vacuum cleaner hose, remove all dirt and debris loosened by brushing. Also vacuum belts and pulleys. Wipe motor housing clean to prevent heat build-up in the motor.
Keep your furnace motor lubricated
To keep your furnace motor running cool, make sure it’s clean. Most furnace motors are permanently lubricated and sealed by the manufacturer however some have covered oil ports above the bearings near the motor shaft. If your furnace motor has oil ports , it should be lubricated annually .Apply two or three drops of 10-weight non-detergent motor oil (not all-purpose oil) to each port. Do not over lubricate. If the blower shaft also has oil ports then it should be lubricated as well. If the blower shaft has grease cups instead of oil ports then remove the caps from the grease cups and fill the cups with bearing lubricant which should be available at your local hardware store.
Inspect on your furnace belt
While lubricating your furnace motor, it is a good time to check the belts. If the belts are worn or frayed , replace them with new one’s that are the same type and size. If the belt squeaks while the motor is running , spray it with fan belt dressing which should be available at your local hardware store. These steps should hopefully help keep your furnace healthy and your family warm for years to come.
To keep the unit in good shape , have it professionally serviced annually. The end of the heating season is usually the best time to do this because of off-season discounts and the company won’t likely be as busy. It a good idea to have your air conditioning unit serviced at the same time.
Roger Frost
Barrie Home Inspections
Inspection of a Gas Furnace. Inspecting your natural gas furnace will detect problems and save you money in the long run. Typically gas furnaces are divided into two categories, high efficiency models and standard efficiency models. The up-draft model is the most popular.
Newer furnaces do not require chimneys as the products of combustion are turned into a vapour and vented to the outside through PVC lines. ABS pipe is no longer permitted to be used for venting and must be up-graded to 636 PVC when changing furnace.
The major energy saving in high efficiency furnaces is by eliminating the heat loss up the chimney, which continues even when furnace is not running. The combined loss through heat loss and products of combustion is substantial.
AFUE rating of furnace is the estimated energy efficiency rating of the furnace based on one year. The high efficiency furnace will actually produce heat at a cooler temperature than conventional furnace due to the fact that more heat is extracted from combustion which is why the need for a chimney is eliminated.
The components of gas fired furnaces which are typically inspected. Gas fired furnaces are comprised of a cabinet, distribution system, heat exchanger, fan and controls and a thermostat. Humidifiers, HRV’s and electronic filters are just some of the accessories you may find installed on a furnace.
Inspection areas of Gas Furnace. Four main areas of furnace inspections are;
1. Take off fan and burner cabinet covers. Always ensure power is off.
2. Check the heat exchanger, either using light and mirror or combination of tests.
3. Start up the furnace so a visual inspection of flame and exhaust system may be performed.
4. Inspect ducts and supply air systems through out the house.
Life Expectancy
Most gas furnaces are expected to last from 20 to 25 years. The heat exchanger is usually guaranteed for 20 years. Failure of heat exchanger usually means replacement of furnace.
Regular service and maintenance can greatly extend the life of your furnace and some furnaces will last over 35 years.
Your Homes Major Systems. A house is a system of interdependent parts which means that the operation of one part will affect the other. When one of the house parts is not functioning properly it will affect the other parts.
The law of heat flow dictates that heat will always flow towards a region of lower temperature. The greater the temperature difference the faster the movement. Heat travels by convection, conduction and radiation. Conduction is the most common and best known method of heat loss.
Forced convection occurs when the movement of liquid or gas is caused by outside forces. For example, a cold wind blowing across a warm outside wall will cause heat to transfer through the wall more quickly.
Approaching the house as a system of interactive parts, the savings mount and we avoid creating health and safety issues. Air sealing and insulating a home reduces the heating and cooling load. A replacement furnace in a sealed and insulated home can be smaller than the existing furnace. The initial price of the smaller unit is lower, and the long-term operating costs will be less. Air sealing and insulating reduce load on heating and cooling appliances, making it possible to downsize equipment. Smaller equipment costs less to purchase and operate.
One common problem with roof/ceiling systems is condensation and staining on the ceiling surface. This is due to moisture condensing on cold surfaces, which is often caused by recessed lights that leak air or are not well insulated. The solution is to make sure that all penetrations through the ceiling are sealed to prevent air flow and insulated to prevent temperature differentials.
Another installation problem is compressing the insulation, which reduces the insulation’s R-value. This often happens when insulation is stuffed behind electrical wiring or piping. The answer here is to cut it to fit the space properly, and to split the fiberglass batts so they maintain their original thickness – and their rated R-value.
Insulating sheathings are rigid insulation boards, typically to 2 inches thick, that have beneficial thermal properties. They provide a way to increase the overall R-value of the wall system, especially in colder climates.
Products that are available are typically made of expanded or extruded polystyrene or from polyisocyanurate foam insulation boards.
With a properly functioning ventilation system, moisture and other pollutants are kept from entering the home. Any pollutant – and moisture is considered a pollutant for the purposes of this discussion – created in the home is transported safely outside through exhaust ventilation and ductwork. However, in many homes, the fans or ducts are loud, leaky, non-existent or otherwise not up to the job. Moisture created within the home condenses on cool building surfaces, both in the living space and in the attic, and causes mould, mildew, poor IAQ, and structural damage.
