Green technology in the office May 20, 2008
Posted by acnow in Uncategorized.Tags: energy savings, environment, green building, reduce costs
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More and more companies are going green with office technology. Now, more than ever, we need to not only think about the growing energy costs, but also ways to reduce our impact on the environment as a whole.
Perhaps a good start is to install Energy Star kitchen appliances and replace the old refrigerator that seems to run constantly. More eco-friendly tips would be to use recycled paper and even recycled ink cartridges. Check out Ink Works, which makes its ink with vegetable oils rather than petroleum.
Green building supplies might cost a bit more, but you can expect to get those costs back in energy savings over time. Another benefit of green building costs can be improved health since these products are less likely to emit toxins into your work environment.
If you are looking to take smaller steps toward a greener building, simply replacing incandescent lightbulbs with fluorescent bulbs can save 75% of your lighting costs. Make sure lights are on only when natural light is not bright enough and shut down computers at night before going home. A ten-computer office can save $750 per year just by turning off the computers at night.
If you are interested in taking larger steps to reduce your impact on the environment, contact AirNow. Someone will be glad to tell you about green heating and cooling solutions for your home or office.
Baseboard Hot Water Heating Systems May 12, 2008
Posted by acnow in Uncategorized.Tags: baseboard, heating, hot water heat, hvac
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The principle that heat rises is the principle of how Baseboard hot water heating systems work. Baseboard Hot Water Heating Systems are becoming more and more common as homeowners begin to recognize the convenience, versatility, and cleanliness of hot water heat. The radiators that bring warmth into the room are installed close to the floor, typically along the baseboard.
Hot water is pumped by an electric motor and driven through the house in a series; that is hot water enters the first radiator in the house so that the first radiator is the hottest of any. Heat flows from the surface of that radiator therefore the water that comes out of the exit end of the radiator is a slightly cooled. The water then flows to the next radiator in the baseboard hot water heating system and more heat is reduced from the water released into the room. In a closed baseboard hot water heating system the last room in the system receives the coolest water. The water then goes back to the boiler where it is heated and recirculated again.
All the water in a closed system remains in that system. If there is a small leak somewhere in the system, there is a recompense mechanism built in. The main water supply from the house is fed into the circulation system through a pressure regulator so that any lost water is replaced.
Since the water is contained entirely within the circulation system, baseboard hot water heating systems may have a problem. Water pressure expands when it is heated. If there were no place for expanding water to go it will build up pressure in the system and eventually blow out a pipefitting. The designers of the systems understand this and created an expansion device within the system. This is normally a large tank installed in the system that contains air. Air can be compressed, while water cannot. When the water expands it moves into the expansion tank and condenses the air. There is also a pressure relief valve installed in the system in the event that the air in the tank leaks out and is replaced with water.
Normally the boiler temperature is controlled inside so that heat is available instantly when the room thermostat calls for it. When the room thermostat signals for heat, a signal is sent to the circulation pump, which turns on and the baseboard hot water heating system begins circulating hot water through the house.
Sometimes there is an imbalance of temperature from the first radiator in the system to the last. Engineers worked out a solution to this problem by putting a control valve on each of the radiators that can be adjusted so that you can make a smaller amount of water flow through the first radiator, diverting the excess flow around and on to the next radiator in the system. If the flow rates are adjusted properly then the amount of energy coming out of each radiator is equal.
Maintenance and troubleshooting tips
- The major thing that can go wrong with a baseboard water heating system is pump failure. The pump becomes noisy when the bearings in the pump fail. Replacement of the pump is a simple task. The pumps can be removed with little loss of water from the system.
- The pump seals and the boiler can develop leaks. The good news is that since the water is enclosed in the system and is not replenished on a regular basis, there isn’t a significant build-up of calcium in the tank the way there is in your hot water tank.
· Air trapped in the baseboard water heating system causes a gurgling sound in the system when the circulator is pumping water. Most systems have a small valve at the high points in the system, which can be bled until all the air is removed and water starts flowing from the valve.
· When the overpressure valve blows, it is because the air is removed from the expansion tank. If there is a leak at the extension of the air tank this is not a normal failure. The leak has to be repaired and the system should be drained until the air is replaced in the tank.
· The radiator units are usually made up of copper tubes with fine sheet metal fins attached. These fins can get dusty and clogged and need to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.
Calling a technician
When the heat system comes on, you’re able to actually hear water running through the heat pipes—that means you know you have air in the system. When you have air in the system it’s time to call a furnace technician inspect your heating system. Include the expansion tank and air vent when you have the heating system inspected.
If the baseboard hot water heating system appears to be in good condition but heating is inadequate, consider having a service technician pressure test the distribution piping for a period of up to 24 hours. If the pressure drops, the system is leaking. When a leak is detected, have the service technician flush the piping to check for galvanic decomposition.
If you are in the Long Island area and need a technician to inspect your system, contact AirNow. Someone will be happy to assist you.
Duct Cleaning May 7, 2008
Posted by acnow in Uncategorized.Tags: air conditioning, allergies, duct cleaning, ductwork, efficiency, forced air heat, heating, hvac
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Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of a variety of heating and cooling system components in forced air systems. Your heating and cooling system should be properly maintained and operated, so the components don’t become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris.
Cleaning components including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, drip pans, fan motor and fan housing, and the air-handling unit housing is important in maintaining efficient operation as well as good air quality. If you decide you need to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is best to make sure the service provider cleans all components of the system.
Most apartments and houses are built in such a way that heating and cooling efficiency depends on airtight environments. Unfortunately, because air ducts are tight, new air gets inside the house at a very slow rate. What this means is that the new air takes a long time to exchange itself with the stale air. A good duct cleaning should involve the cleaning of all return-air registers, inside the air ducts and the interior of the heating and ventilating system. Some air duct professionals will use a sanitizer to run through the air duct system to make sure all the mold, bacteria and dust mites are destroyed.
I recommend hiring a professional air duct cleaning service to reach air ducts that you won’t be able to reach. If you decide to do it yourself this duct-cleaning project is relatively easy and can be carried out in the following steps:
Get your tools together and inspect the ducts. You’ll require a screwdriver and heavy-duty gloves. You’ll also need a cleaning brush, a rag or paper towel and a vacuum cleaner. Make sure the floor around the air duct entrance is clean—you don’t want any small objects to fall inside when you remove the duct covers.
Once you remove the air duct covers or return-air register plates, check the walls inside. Even if your air duct uses furnace filters, you still need to clean the the walls as best as you can. Use a brush and a rag to wipe out all the dirt because the walls may be covered with dust. Be aware that the sucking force of your vacuum cleaner may be too strong and may damage the walls.
You should be able to reach down a few feet with your vacuum cleaner hose, which is good because, even though the air duct cleaning isn’t thorough—it helps to eliminate some of the problems.
The benefits of duct cleaning
The EPA recommends that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they should be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Some research does suggest that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems.
Ducts may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris and related equipment if they are not properly established, looked after, and operated. Typically, a service provider will use special tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, and then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner. If moisture is present, it increases the potential for mold and spores and such growth may be released into the home’s living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions in people if they are exposed to them. If you don’t clean a component of a contaminated system you can re-contaminate the entire system, thus negating any possible benefits.
If you might think duct cleaning is a good idea for your home, but you are not sure, talk to a professional. A good source of advice may be the company that services your heating and cooling system.
