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Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Is a hybrid right for me to heat my Muskoka home or cottage? Furnace and Air Source Heat Pump
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012Carbon Monoxide: How do I keep it out of my home?
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012Keep Carbon Monoxide Out of Your Home
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful gas that has no colour, smell or taste.
CO forms whenever you burn fuel such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, oil, coal and wood. It is also contained in second-hand smoke. If furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves or water heaters are improperly installed, or if they malfunction, they can release CO into your home.
What Are the Health Effects?
CO can cause health problems before people even notice that it is present.
When you breathe in CO, it reduces your body’s ability to carry oxygen in the blood.
Even at low levels of exposure, CO can cause headaches and make you feel tired. The health effects at higher levels can be much more serious and can even lead to death.
How do I know if I Have a Problem?
CO can be detected only with a carbon monoxide detector.
What Can I Do?
- Maintenance is the key!
- There is no substitute for good maintenance of fuel-burning appliances because CO detectors may not detect low levels of CO that can, over time, have effects on your health.
- Make sure appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and water heaters are well maintained and inspected by a professional at least once a year.
- Get a CO detector!
- Put at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. A smoke alarm helps protect against fires, but will not warn you of potentially harmful carbon monoxide in your home. It is important that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home as well as a smoke alarm.
- Install a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified CO detector with an audible alarm to warn you of high CO concentrations in your home. The most important place to install a detector is in hallways, outside of sleeping areas. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on how to install and use the detector, and when it needs to be replaced. You can use a marker to remind yourself when it was installed and when it should be replaced.
- Leave it outside!
- Never use a barbecue indoors.
- Don’t use kerosene or oil space heaters or lamps in enclosed areas unless they’re specifically designed for indoor use.
- No idling indoors!
- Don’t let vehicles idle in the garage, even when the garage door is open.
- Never run gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, snow blowers or other machines in the garage.
- Keep the door between your house and the garage closed.
INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATOR
What is a hybrid system and how can it help heat my Muskoka home?
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Most consumers are familiar with the term “hybrid” in reference to cars that combine electric and gas fuel for better performance. Long before dual-fuel cars were on the market, a consumer could get a dual-fuel heating and cooling system. A central hybrid comfort system uses gas and electric heat to reduce heating expenses in the winter while also keeping your home comfortable. It is one of the most economical type of system that does not compromise comfort.
Energy Star for heating your home, new efficiency standards for saving on Muskoka utility bills.
Friday, September 9th, 2011ENERGY STAR® for heating your home
ENERGY STAR is the international symbol for energy efficiency. It is designed to help consumers quickly identify products that save energy. When properly designed and installed, ENERGY STAR qualified heating equipment can save you 15 percent or more on heating and cooling bills each year, depending on where you live and how much you pay for your energy source.
Currently ENERGY STAR qualified heating equipment include:
- forced air furnaces
- boilers
- heat/energy-recovery ventilators
- water heaters
- air-source heat pumps
- ground-source heat pumps
- programmable thermostats
ENERGY STAR Qualified Forced-air Furnaces
Gas-fired Forced Air Furnaces.
In Canada under the Energy Efficiency Regulations, the AFUE performance level for gas-fired furnaces was raised to 90% effective January 1, 2010. Until a more stringent ENERGY STAR specification is finalized, ENERGY STAR qualifications for gas fired furnaces are no longer recognized in Canada.
The ENERGY STAR specification for gas-fired furnaces is currently under revision. Materials related to this revision process are provided below. Participants and other interested parties with questions or concerns regarding the revision process can consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
Oil-fired Forced Air Furnaces.
Oil-fired forced air furnaces must have a minimum of 85% AFUE to be ENERGY STAR qualified. Manufacturers apply the ENERGY STAR symbol to models that have been proven to meet or exceed the ENERGY STAR energy-efficiency criteria.
You can usually locate the ENERGY STAR symbol on the back of the manufacturer’s brochures, beside the EnerGuide rating or on retail showroom display signs. Use the EnerGuide rating to determine the AFUE rating and the ENERGY STAR symbol to ensure that you have the most efficient product available.
Some high-efficiency furnaces using a variable-speed direct current (DC) motor to run the air circulation fan can significantly reduce electricity consumption while providing better heat distribution.
- More information on forced air furnaces
- List of models: Gas-fired, forced air furnaces
- List of models: Oil-fired, forced air furnaces
Along with a high-efficient furnace, consider a programmable thermostat as well. These thermostats have daily and weekend settings and other features. They automatically adjust the temperature to the comfort setting you choose – lower when you are normally away, higher when you are at home.
More information on programmable thermostats.
ENERGY STAR Qualified Residential Boilers
Residential boilers must have an AFUE rating of 85 or higher to qualify for the ENERGY STAR symbol.
Heat/Energy Recovery Ventilators
Water Heaters
List of models: Gas Water Heaters
List of models: Tankless Water Heaters
ENERGY STAR qualified water heaters use at least 5 percent less energy than conventional models. The energy efficiency performance for water heaters is measured by the Energy Factor (EF). The higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater. There are also requirements for the First-Hour Rating (FHR) of the storage, condensing and heat pump water heaters. The FHR is the amount of hot water in litres a water heater can supply in one hour starting with a full tank. For tankless water heaters, the rating used is Litres per minute (LPM). LPM is the amount of hot water in litres per minute that a tankless water heater can supply over a 42.8 Celcius degree rise. The following types of water heaters must meet or exceed the following EF levels in order to qualify as ENERGY STAR:
| Product Category | Minimum Efficiency Rating | First – Hour Rating |
| Gas storage water heater Until August 31, 2010 |
EF ? 0.62 | FHR ? 254 litres per hour |
| Gas storage water heater As of September 1, 2010 |
EF ? 0.67 | FHR ? 254 litres per hour |
| Gas tankless water heater | EF ? 0.82 | LPM ? 9.5 over 42.8°C rise |
| Condensing gas storage water heater | EF ? 0.80 | FHR ? 254 litres per hour |
| Heat pump water heater | EF ? 2.0 | FHR ? 190 litres per hour |
More information on water heaters
ENERGY STAR Qualified Heat Pumps
ENERGY STAR qualified air–source heat pumps are about 6% more efficient for heating and about 8% more efficient for cooling than standard models. The energy efficiency of this product is measured by Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). Typical residential systems are “split” with a separate indoor evaporator unit in the furnace ducting and an outdoor condenser unit. There are also “single package” systems that have the evaporator and condenser in one unit. The following levels must be met or exceeded to qualify for ENERGY STAR:
In effect: January 1‚ 2009
| Type | HSPF Region V Canada |
SEER | EER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split | ? 7.1 | ? 14.5 | ? 12.0 |
| Single Package | ? 7.0 | ? 14.0 | ? 11.0 |
HSPF for Region IV are 8.2 for Split and 8.0 for single package. Region IV is used in the United States.
More Information on heat pumps
Ground-source heat pumps use the thermal energy of the ground or groundwater to provide a heating or cooling source for a home. There are three basic types:
- closed loop
- open loop
- direct expansion
The cooling function is measured by an energy efficiency ratio (EER), and the heating function is measured by a coefficient of performance (COP). The higher the EER or COP number, the more efficient the heat pump is. ENERGY STAR qualified ground-source heat pumps must meet or exceed the following EER and COP levels:
| Product Type | EER | COPV |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Loop | 14.1 | 3.3 |
| Open Loop | 16.2 | 3.6 |
| Direct Expansion | 15.0 | 3.5 |
List of models: ground source heat pumps
More information on ground sourced heat pumps
ENERGY STAR Qualified Programmable Thermostats
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) suspended the ENERGY STAR specification for programmable thermostats effective December 31, 2009. NRCan and the Environmental Protection Agency are currently working on the development of a new specification for climate controls that will replace the current specification. Please continue to consult our website for information on when this specification will come into effect.
BCIN Building Code Identification Number Building Permit Submittals for Plumbing and HVAC
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011Sample plumbing and heating BCIN reports:
What is a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN)?
A Building Code Identification Number, or BCIN, is the unique identifying number assigned to individuals who file their qualifications with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and firms which register with the Ministry. The BCIN is used for several purposes: you may need to provide it on building permit applications in all correspondence with the Ministry, and in any other building-related work that requires a qualified person or registered firm.
Gravenhurst Plumbing Heating & Electrical is Bill 124 Certified, Building Permit Designer Forms for:
PLUMBING HVAC HOUSE;
RESIDENTIAL Heat Loss and Duct Design
BUILDING SERVICES
Triangle Tube SME Solar/Geothermal Powered Indirect-Fired Storage Tank perfect for your Muskoka home or cottage energy saving project
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011Building Permit Building Code Identification Number Plumbing & HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Design and Building Permit Submittals
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011BCIN HVAC and Plumbing Building Permit Submittals performed here:
Sample Building Permit HVAC BCIN Reports:
Your Customer’s Name HeatLoss HeatGain Duct Design HRV Layout
Sample HVAC BCIN Designer FORM
Sample ResidentialMechanicalVentilationRecordCertificationOfDesignAndPerformance
The reports include:
Heat Loss & Heat Gain Analysis
Duct Design and Layout
Residential Mechanical Ventilation Record (RMVR)
HVAC House Designer 1 Form
Plumbing Isometric Layout including potable water piping isometric and sanitary drainage and venting isometric drawing
Plumbing House Designer 1 Form
Building Services Designer 1 Form
We have performed hundreds of the Building Permit submittals in:
Town of Gravenhurst
Town of Huntsville
Town of Bracebridge
Township of Muskoka lakes
Township of Georgian Bay
Seguin Township
City of Orillia
Oro-Medonte Township
Township of Magnetawan
Sault Ste Marie
Peterborough
Haliburton Dyson
http://www.gravenhurstplumbing.com/about/bcin-certification
A short overview on geothermal. Use the renewable solar energy stored in your Muskoka yard or lake or pond or well to save on heating, cooling and hot water costs. WaterFurnace geothermal heat pumps are good for the Muskoka environment and great for your budget
Thursday, April 21st, 2011Muskoak geothermal waterfurnace
HRV Controls: What controls are available for my Heat Recovery Air Exchange System
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011FRIGIDAIRE LAUNCHES 22-SEER iQ DRIVE HEAT PUMP The Industry’s most efficient air-source heat pump.
Friday, January 21st, 2011For an economical solution to your Muskoka energy efficiency needs, lower your heating costs today!
FRIGIDAIRE LAUNCHES 22-SEER iQ DRIVE HEAT PUMP The Industry’s most efficient air-source heat pump.
St. Louis, May 28, 2009 — Frigidaire is pleased to announce the introduction of the industry’s most efficient air-source heat pump. The iQ Drive heat pump achieves up to 22 SEER, 10 HSPF and 14.6 EER.
The Frigidaire iQ Drive heat pump is an evolution of the Frigidaire 24.5 SEER iQ Drive air conditioner and uses the same inverter-driven rotary technology to achieve high efficiency levels. The unit can modulate anywhere from 40 to 118 percent of capacity, instantly adjusting to exactly offset the demands on the home.
“This is an absolutely amazing product,” says Matt Lattanzi, iQ Drive product manager for NORDYNE. “It operates completely differently from a traditional air-source heat pump in that it runs almost constantly at a low level. This makes a huge difference in comfort and sound levels, especially at night.”
The Frigidaire iQ Drive is also the industry’s quietest heat pump, operating as low as 59 decibels. Its near-continuous operation also means it provides outstanding dehumidification. “The homeowner can set their desired humidity level, and the iQ Drive heat pump will maintain it within 5 percent of set point,” adds Lattanzi.
When paired with the Frigidaire iQ Drive fully modulating gas furnace rated at 97% AFUE and higher, the iQ Drive heat pump also creates the industry’s most efficient dual-fuel system.
