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You are here: Home / Archives for Heating and Cooling

Heating and Cooling

Everything You Need to Know About Programmable Thermostats

February 27, 2008 By NightOwl

Who better to tell us all we need to know about programmable thermostats than the government’s Energy Star, part of the Department of Energy.

Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you’re away or sleeping.

They:

  • are more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats and improve your home’s comfort
  • contain no mercury
  • save energy and save money on utility bills — when used properly, about $150/year
  • are better for the environment, since using less energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production

Programmable thermostats earn the ENERGY STAR by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the government. These units save energy by offering 4 convenient, pre-programmed temperature settings — settings that try to anticipate when it’s convenient for you to scale back on heating or cooling.

If you are like many homeowners and work outside the home during the day and have a different schedule on the weekend, a programmable thermostat can offer many benefits, and the return on your investment is usually within 1 year.

On the other hand, if you are home throughout the day, seven days a week, then a programmable thermostat will offer more limited benefits.

Through proper use of a programmable thermostat (using the 4 pre-programmed settings) you can save about $150* every year in energy costs.

Rules of Thumb for Proper Use:

  1. Keep the temperature set at its energy savings set-points for long periods of time (at least eight hours), for example, during the day, when no one is at home, and through the night, after bedtime.
  2. All thermostats let you temporarily make an area warmer or cooler, without erasing the pre-set programming. This override is cancelled automatically at the next program period. You use more energy (and end up paying more on energy bills) if you consistently “hold” or over-ride the pre-programmed settings.
  3. Units typically have 2 types of hold features: (a) hold/permanent/vacation; (b) temporary. Avoid using the hold/permanent/vacation feature to manage day to day temperature settings. “Hold” or “vacation” features are best when you’re planning be away for an extended period. Set this feature at a constant, efficient temperature (i.e. several degrees warmer temperature in summer, several degrees cooler during winter), when going away for the weekend or on vacation. You’ll waste energy and money if you leave the “hold” feature at the comfort setting while you’re away.
  4. Cranking your unit up to 90 degrees or down to 40 degrees, for example, will not heat or cool your house any faster. Most thermostats, including ENERGY STAR qualified units, begin to heat or cool at a programmed time, to reach set-point temperatures sometime thereafter. Units with adaptive, “smart,” or “intelligent” recovery features are an exception to this rule — they reach desired temperatures by the set time, since they use formulas that are based on your historical use.
  5. Install your unit on an interior wall, away from heating or cooling vents and other sources of heat or drafts (doorways, windows, skylights, direct sunlight or bright lamps).
  6. Many homes use just one thermostat to control the whole house. If your home has multiple heating or cooling zones, you’ll need a programmed setback thermostat for each zone to maximize comfort, convenience and energy savings throughout the house.
  7. Don’t forget to change the batteries each year. Some units indicate when batteries must be changed.

Features

ENERGY STAR qualifies these types of units:

7-day models are best if your daily schedule tends to change, say, if children are at home earlier on some days. They give you the most flexibility, and let you set different programs for different days – usually with four possible temperature periods per day.

5+2-day models use the same schedule every weekday, and another for weekends.

5-1-1 models are best if you tend to keep one schedule Monday through Friday, and another schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.

All ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats include:

  • Four default program periods per day, allowing you to save money while you’re away or sleeping
  • +/- 2 degree accuracy to keep the temperature at an even level, keeping you comfortable

ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats typically come with:

  • Digital, backlit displays
  • Touch pad screen programming
  • Voice and/or phone programming
  • Hold/Vacation features
  • Indicators which tell you when its time to change air filters
  • Indicators that signal malfunctioning of heating/cooling systems
  • Adaptive Recovery/ Smart Recovery features – control features that senses the amount of time it will take to reach the next set-point temperature, and reach desired temperatures by the set time

Installation

Programmable thermostats are a low voltage wiring installation (however, you should shut down your electricity during the replacement), and involve anywhere from 2–10 wires, depending on your type of heating and cooling system. The previous attachment points will reconnect your new unit. Read all instructions and proceed carefully.

If the job requires more than just a replacement, call your certified HVAC professional to ensure proper installation, as well as operation of your heating and cooling system. It’s a good idea to upgrade an old manual thermostat to a programmable unit, if you’re replacing a CAC or heating system given that programmable units are far more accurate and will maximize the efficiency of your new system For heat pumps, you may need a special unit to maximize energy savings year-round. Talk to your retailer or HVAC contractor before selecting the unit.

Also, if you’re replacing a conventional thermostat that has a mercury switch, be careful not to break the tube that holds this toxic substance. Contact your local recycling/hazardous materials center, or the manufacturer of your new thermostat, for advice on proper disposal.

Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household Tagged With: energy star, energy star thermostats, programmable thermostats, thermostats

Recall: Rinnai Wall Furnaces Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard

February 21, 2008 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556

Units: About 52,000

Manufacturer: Rinnai America Corp., of Peachtree City, Ga.

Hazard: A gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaking into the home.

Incidents/Injuries: Rinnai has received 11 reports of carbon monoxide leaking from the furnace. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Rinnai EnergySaver Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556. They are either natural gas or LP gas (propane) fueled. The following model numbers are included in the recall:

Model RHFE-431 FAIII-N FAIII-P
  WTA-N WTA-P
  WTA-72B-N WTA-76B-N
     
Model RHFE-556 FAIII-N FAIII-P
  WTA-N WTA-P

The model number is printed on the top of the rating plate located on the right side of the unit. The recall includes only those units manufactured from February 2000 through December 2007. The manufacturing date code is the first four digits of the serial number, written as YY MM, and is located at the bottom of the rating plate.

Sold through: Wholesale distributors nationwide to contractors and dealers from February 2000 through December 2007 for between $1,600 and $1,900.

Manufactured in: Japan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the furnace immediately and contact the firm to arrange for the installation of a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rinnai toll-free at (866) 746-8344 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.wallfurnacerecall.com

Picture of Recalled Wall Furnace   Picture of Recalled Wall Furnace

Picture of Recalled Wall Furnace Labeling

Filed Under: Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls Tagged With: heater recall, rinnai America Corp, rinnai heater recall, wall heater recall

Recall: Portable Electric Heaters by Aloha Housewares Due to Fire Hazard

February 20, 2008 By Appliance

Name of Product: Portable Electric Heaters

Units: About 152,000

Importer/Distributor: Aloha Housewares Inc., of Arlington, Texas

Hazard: The portable electric heater can overheat and melt plastic parts, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Aloha Housewares has received 29 reports of the heaters melting, smoking or catching fire, including 18 reports of property damage. One consumer reported minor burns to the hands and feet.

Description: This recall involves electric oscillating tower heaters with the name “Aloha Breeze” printed on the top. The white heaters have model number 02044 and dates codes 06/06, 06/07, 06/08 or 06/09. Model numbers and date codes are printed on the silver label located on the back of the heater, near the bottom.

Sold at: Wal-mart and small retail chain stores nationwide from August 2006 through November 2007 for between $35 and $45.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and contact Aloha Housewares to receive a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Aloha Housewares at (800) 295-4448 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or email the firm at ahitexaslg@aol.com

Picture of Recalled Portable Electric Heater

Filed Under: Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls, Safety Tagged With: Aloha Housewares, Aloha Housewares portable heaters, Aloha Housewares portable heaters recall, portable heater recall, recall

Basic Furnace Maintenance Tips

February 16, 2008 By NightOwl

We may be halfway through the winter, but it’s never to late to check your furnace for safety and efficiency. Following some basic routine maintenance is one of the easiest ways to save money and hassles with your heating, and will also help with the air quality in your home. You can schedule a check-up with a furnace company, but there are some simple things you can do yourself.

Be sure to turn off power to your furnace before working on it so that a motor doesn’t start while you’re tinkering. You can usually change a filter without turning off the gas or oil supply, but for all other maintenance be cautious and turn off the fuel supply. Before you do, be sure you know how to relight the pilot light.

With almost any heating system, replacing the thermostat with a programmable digital thermostat will save energy. These thermostats automatically adjust the temperature of your home to keep you comfortable when you’re there and save energy when you’re not.

At a very minimum, change the air filter in any forced-air furnace on a monthly basis. A good programmable thermostat will remind you when to change the filter. Some experts recommend inexpensive fiberglass filters; others, midrange filters that trap smaller particles. Furnace performance should not be impacted if filters are changed regularly. Base filter selection on your sensitivity to air-borne particles. Vacuum the blower and accessible areas of the furnace every few months. Even with regular filter changes dust will accumulate on the blades of the blower.

If you have an older natural gas or propane furnace, oil the motor and blower shafts — they only need a couple of drops of 20-weight oil on an annual basis. Most new models have sealed bearings that don’t need to be oiled.

Your furnace blower might be powered by a V-belt connected to an electric motor. If the belt is cracking or fraying, it needs to be replaced. Even if the belt looks OK, you might want to check the blower and motor pulleys for alignment; if they’re not aligned the belt will wear out faster (and make more noise). To align it, loosen the screws holding the motor in place, then align the pulleys using a metal carpenter’s square and tighten the screws.

You can replace the oil filter to keep clean fuel flowing to an oil-burning furnace. Check the owner’s manual to find out how to bleed air out of the fuel line, though it may not be necessary on your model. Regularly checking the fuel lines and connections for leaks is a good idea.

If you have a hot water system, bleed air out of radiators annually. While the system is on, simply open the bleeder valve on each radiator until water comes out without sputtering. Be prepared to catch the water and be careful — it’s hot! There are different types of bleeder valves on radiators: Some open with a screwdriver; others, with a special key or a knob already in place.

For all types of furnaces, make sure the outside vents and chimneys are not blocked by snow, leaves, nests, etc. Such blockages can cause carbon monoxide hazards. Flues that leak pose carbon monoxide and fire hazards, so check for cracks or joints that are separating.

You can read more at motherearthnews.com and then go on down to the basement and do a little preventative maintenance even if it’s just changing the filter.

Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, Safety, _ Tips Tagged With: furnace, furnace filter, furnace maintenance, furnace maintenance tips, heater, heater filter, heater maintenance

Vornado Trust to Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defects and Hazards with Electric Heaters

February 1, 2008 By Appliance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a liquidating trust acting on behalf of a now-dissolved manufacturer of heaters has agreed to pay the government a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles allegations that Vornado Air Circulation Systems Inc., formerly of Andover, Kan., failed to report in a timely manner incidents of fire and overheating from defective heaters. In August 2004, CPSC and Vornado announced the recall of about one million portable electric heaters.

From January 1993 through February 2004, Vornado received more than 300 reports of units overheating, melting, smoking, or catching fire. The firm failed to report these incidents to the CPSC in a timely manner. Vornado finally reported the incidents to the CPSC in February 2004, but only after information was requested by the Commission staff.

Federal law requires firms to report to CPSC immediately after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, or creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.

“The law is clear and exists for a reason,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “Any delay puts consumers at greater risk. The quicker we know about a dangerous product, the faster we can act to protect consumers.”

In agreeing to settle the matter, the liquidating trust denies that Vornado violated federal law.

Picture of Recalled Portable Electric Heaters

Filed Under: Heating and Cooling, News, Recalls

Recall: A.O. Smith Exhaust Fan Electric Motors Due to Fire Hazard

January 10, 2008 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Whole-house Exhaust Fan Electric Motors

Units: About 6,300

Manufacturer: A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co., of Tipp City, Ohio

Hazard: The fan’s electric motor can be miswired and overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled electric motor is part of a residential whole-house exhaust fan that is typically mounted on the floor of an attic. The shutters of the fan are visible on the ceiling of the floor beneath the attic and must be opened and closed by the consumer. The motors were included with exhaust fans manufactured and distributed by Air Vent Inc. and Triangle Engineering of Arkansas Inc. “A.O. Smith,” the model number, and the service date code are printed on the rating plate of the motor. The recall includes model numbers S56A30A54 and S56A30A97, and service date codes 032076M – 334076M, 03207JY – 33407JY, and YB07 – YL07. Units that have a sticker indicating that the unit has been rewired are not subject to this recall.

Sold at: The recalled motors, included with the exhaust fans, were sold at home improvement stores nationwide or by professional installers or builders from February 2007 through November 2007 for about $3,000.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled unit immediately and contact A.O. Smith to arrange for a free inspection and repair of the motor.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact A.O. Smith toll-free at (866) 567-3878 between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.aosmithmotors.com

Picture of Recalled Exhaust Fan Electric Motor

 

Filed Under: Heating and Cooling, Household, Recalls Tagged With: A.O. Smith Exhaust Fan Electric Motors, exhaust fan, recall

Air Cleaners – What You Need to Know

December 24, 2007 By NightOwl

Many people believe that an air cleaner will help their family be healthier.  Using an air cleaner or air purifier in your home supposedly helps reduce dust, pollen and other respiratory irritants.  There are three types of air cleaners,  High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, electrostatic precipitators, and ozone generators.

From the Arizona Daily Star:

1. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters: Consumer Reports says air cleaners with these filters are among the best performers. But homeowners can more easily improve their indoor air with other methods, such as banning indoor smoking, keeping pets out of bedrooms, removing carpeting and other dust-mite havens and opening windows, the magazine says.
2. Electrostatic precipitators: They apply an electrical charge to particles and deposit them onto filters. They commonly emit small amounts of ozone as a byproduct. This month, Consumer Reports withdrew its endorsement of them after 15 years of recommending some models, saying, “We now believe that air purifiers that emit even small amounts of ozone are not your best choice.”
Ozone is a common air pollutant, an indicator of smog’s presence. The Environmental Protection Agency says that relatively low ozone levels can cause respiratory problems.
3. Ozone generators: Manufacturers say that ozone will purify the air, but Consumer Reports recommends against such machines, saying its tests have found that their ozone production generally exceeded federal Food and Drug Administration limits of 50 parts per billion set for medical devices. The California Air Resources Board just approved new rules, requiring such generators to limit ozone to 50 ppb by Dec. 31, 2008.

Newer houses with better insulation, double-paned windows and weatherstripped doors save energy, but they also seal pollutants into our homes. I try to limit my impact on the environment. Air cleaners are just another electronic device to run, with uncertain results. My choice is to vacuum and wash floors and bedding regularly and to open windows daily. Those are results you can see.

Filed Under: Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Reviews, Small Appliances

Whirlpool Aims for Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions

December 21, 2007 By NightOwl

If you are shopping for eco-friendly appliances, here’s some good news from Twice.com:

Whirlpool will increase its commitment to environmentally-sound business practices by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions 6.6 percent by 2012, the company announced last week. The world’s largest majap maker will make these global, voluntary reductions while at the same time increasing production by 17 percent, it said.

The positive output of the reduction is equivalent to approximately 4.5 million acres of trees, an area larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

Whirlpool chairman/CEO Jeff Fettig announced the increased reductions plan in his keynote address here at the Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition (EE Global). Whirlpool is the founding sponsor of EE Global, a showcase for the energy-efficiency industry attracting industry professionals, academics and policy makers from around the world to exchange the latest technical, commercial and policy information and forge partnerships and develop “best practices,” policies and strategies for global implementation.

Separately, Friedrich Air Conditioning has been awarded an Environmental Excellence Award by San Antonio Water System (SAWS) for the second consecutive year. SAWS serves over one million people in the seventh largest U.S. city, Friedrich’s home base.

Friedrich received this award in recognition of its continued efforts to reduce water consumption. In 2007, the company reduced the amount of process water requiring treatment by approximately 50 percent.

Filed Under: Dishwasher, Features, Gas Range, Heating and Cooling, Household, Kitchen, Laundry, News, Oven, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Washing Machine

Recall:Venmar Ventilation Inc. Heat Recovery Ventilators Due to Fire Hazard

December 14, 2007 By Appliance

Name of Product: Heat Recovery Ventilators

Units: About 1,100

Manufacturer: Venmar Ventilation Inc., of Quebec, Canada

Hazard: The thermal protector in these units can fail, posing a potential fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves heat recovery ventilators made between October 2006 and August 2007, and have the following brand names and model numbers:

Brand Models
Venmar 40225
Venmar AVS 457XX, 16016XX, 43XXX, 451XX, 45400, 45709IEH, C32042
Vane 458XX, 16016XX, 43405, 43828, 45405, 45808
Rheem, Ruud, Protech 84-ERVXXX, 84-HRVXXX
Carrier ERVCCLHU1200, HRVCCLHA1250, HRVCCSVU1200, ERVCCLHU1150,
HRVCCLHA1150, HRVCCLVU1150, HRVCCLVU1200, HRVCCSVU1150
Bryant ERVBBLHU1200, HRVBBLHA1250, HRVBBSVU1200
Broan ERV200HC, HRV200H, HRV100H

Sold at: Heating, ventilating and air conditioning wholesale distributors, dealers and contractors, and building supply stores nationwide from October 2006 through December 2007 for between $700 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug their ventilators. Consumers should contact Venmar Ventilation to schedule an inspection and repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Venmar Ventilation toll-free at (866) 441-4645 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.venmar.ca

Filed Under: Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls

Air Cleaners – What You Need to Know

December 6, 2007 By NightOwl

Many people believe that an air cleaner will help their family be healthier.  Using an air cleaner or air purifier in your home supposedly helps reduce dust, pollen and other respiratory irritants.  There are three types of air cleaners,  High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, electrostatic precipitators, and ozone generators.

From the Arizona Daily Star:

1. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters: Consumer Reports says air cleaners with these filters are among the best performers. But homeowners can more easily improve their indoor air with other methods, such as banning indoor smoking, keeping pets out of bedrooms, removing carpeting and other dust-mite havens and opening windows, the magazine says.
2. Electrostatic precipitators: They apply an electrical charge to particles and deposit them onto filters. They commonly emit small amounts of ozone as a byproduct. This month, Consumer Reports withdrew its endorsement of them after 15 years of recommending some models, saying, “We now believe that air purifiers that emit even small amounts of ozone are not your best choice.”
Ozone is a common air pollutant, an indicator of smog’s presence. The Environmental Protection Agency says that relatively low ozone levels can cause respiratory problems.
3. Ozone generators: Manufacturers say that ozone will purify the air, but Consumer Reports recommends against such machines, saying its tests have found that their ozone production generally exceeded federal Food and Drug Administration limits of 50 parts per billion set for medical devices. The California Air Resources Board just approved new rules, requiring such generators to limit ozone to 50 ppb by Dec. 31, 2008.

Newer houses with better insulation, double-paned windows and weatherstripped doors save energy, but they also seal pollutants into our homes. I try to limit my impact on the environment. Air cleaners are just another electronic device to run, with uncertain results. My choice is to vacuum and wash floors and bedding regularly and to open windows daily. Those are results you can see.

Filed Under: Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Reviews, Small Appliances

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