Helpful Hints: Overloading Issues

After receiving a call from a WoodMaster 5500 owner about a recurring issue with a failing probe, I reached out for a solution from the factory.  My WoodMaster tech informed me that the most common reason for premature probe failure, leaking door seals, etc. is caused by overloading the furnace.
Although the fire box is large enough to potentially burn for days, owners should resist the urge to fill only once a day. The best practice is to load it for a 12-hour burn.
Why? Overloading can cause overheating. Overheating melts probe wiring and hardens the door gasket. Of course a leaking door seal can cause an uncontrolled burn  In the interest of having trouble free heating, I recommend following the advice as given to me by WoodMaster.
Stay warm this winter. Happy Heating!

Ease of Use

This one is pretty straight forward: Some furnaces or boilers require manual loading or regular maintenance. Knowing what you are willing to do and what your prospective heating units require will help you chose the right unit.

Efficiency

A high efficiency furnace or boiler will heat your home with less fuel and low emissions, thereby cutting the cost of fuel as well as maintenance. The estimated efficiency of a heating unit can usually be found on the label, listed as the AFUE (Annual Fuel Use Efficiency). This number can give you an idea of where to start with efficiency, but is unfortunately fairly inaccurate. Due to not accounting for "Idle Loss", systems with identical AFUE ratings can differ in performance by as much as 25%.

There are also several more industry-specific efficiency numbers that are used by manufacturers, such as ASME testing (in the US) and the European EN 303-5 testing standard for wood boilers. These can offer a bit more accurate comparison, but they have their own issues. In fact, the ASME test is being retooled this year for better accuracy, which may cause a lot of efficiency numbers to change.

When comparing different makes and model of furnaces, the ASME efficiency value is the most consistent. However, know that it is not an iron-clad comparison and real-world values may vary by a wide margin.

Heat Load || Sizing Your Furnace or Boiler

Heat load is the amount of heat needed to maintain a desired temperature. A heat load measurement will help define the most efficient size of furnace or boiler for your needs.

It may be tempting to say "bigger is better", but an improperly sized heating unit will cause you plenty of grief. If the output of your heating unit is too high, it will not run at full capacity. Heating below capacity will cause your efficiency to drop, emissions (including creosote) to increase, and may cause maintenance issues in the future. If your unit's output is too low, you will not be able to meet your heating needs.

Heat Load calculators can provide you with a fairly accurate measurement for the BTU output your heating unit. Keep in mind, these calculators run on mathematical formulas. They can provide good estimates, but the results are not an exact scientific measurement. Unless you are heating inside a vacuum, you will be constantly gaining and losing heat. This is because there are so many variables involved. Things like dormers, elevation, and the number of windows are only a few examples in the mountain of variables that effect this constant change.

When replacing a system, a Heat Load calculator is a great place to start. You can save a lot of time and effort by maximizing your efficiency and savings by knowing your heat load. If you so desire, an energy auditor or qualified contractor should be able to help you calculate this measurement for you.

Start saving money by maximizing your heating efficiency right now by going to:  http://www.shophmac.com/info-center/hvac-calculators/heat-load-calculator.php

Home Heating: Become an Informed Buyer

A new heating system for your home or business is a complicated decision. The choice you make is a sizable investment that needs to last you 10-20 years. On top of that there are additional costs for fuel and maintenance, along with a number of environmental concerns. It's one of those decisions that you have to make right the first time. Surprisingly, most people know little of the choosing process before purchase.
The average homeowner calls their local HVAC company, listens to a couple of suggestions, and chooses the furnace or boiler that seems to fit their budget. This makes the choice simpler, but, since many HVAC professionals are licensed resellers for one or two companies or source directly from a single reseller, they rarely bother with discussing the other options available.

So, how can you be a smarter shopper? What is the best furnace or boiler for your situation? Obviously you would want to research, but where to start?

There are 7 factors that guide you to the smartest purchase of a heating system:

1. Heat Load
   The amount of heat your furnace or boiler needs to provide for your home to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature.
2. Efficiency
   The best performance from the least fuel consumption.
3. Ease of Use
   It sounds rather self-explanatory, but then again it all depends on what you are comfortable with.
4. Legal Regulations
   There may be specific rules and regulations that must be met in your state, and even your local county or town.
5. Build Quality & Warranty
   The guaranty and durability of your furnace or boiler, as well as your protection, in case of malfunction.
6. Cost
   The initial purchase as well as fuel and maintenance costs.
7. Environmental Concerns
   Knowing the environmental impact.
   

Having good information on all these factors will let you make an informed decision. We'll examine and discuss each of these factors in more detail in the next posts.