|
October 26, 2008 00:10 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
Winter weather is on the way. Start thinking
about heating
system solutions for the coming winter months or
spend the season shivering and wishing
you’d planned ahead. Leaving decisions like this
to the last moment (for example, when your furnace up
and dies in the middle of a brutal
Nor’easter) causes unnecessary stress, expense,
and, most obviously, a freezing cold house.
Whether you are building a new home from the
ground up, preparing to replace your heating
systems are using electricity instead of natural gas
or heating oil. Not only does this cut down on
heating costs, but it is also more efficient and
eco-friendly as well. Radiant heating
systems are quickly replacing traditional furnaces.
Heating Systems Tip: Choosing the best
heating
systems for a new home or to add supplemental heat
to a cold spot in your home now takes a little
homework. The radiant consultants and designers
at Warmzone have been trained in all of the latest
heating systems to properly assess your project
and prescribe a system that will add value to
your home within your budget.
|
|
December 23, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
|
For homeowners or
renovators, it’s worth taking a look at several kinds
of radiant heaters for residences or
businesses. Today we’ll discuss the electric
cable heating system kind of radiant heaters.
Electric cable heating systems, often called
line- or high-voltage systems, are gaining popularity
and are ideal for heating smaller areas like
bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These systems are
comprised of a thermostat and a heating cable. On some
radiant
heater systems, the cable will be shipped to
you as a large spool of cable. These systems are
oftentimes less expensive, and give you the ability to
space the cable how you want and customize a layout that
will heat every square inch of your floor. Other
systems have the cable attached to a plastic mesh or
tape to create a mat to maintain its proper spacing.
Every available radiant heater cable system is
equally effective, so when determining which system to
purchase, you should look at the warranty of the
product, along with the ease of installation. Some cables
must be embedded in a separate layer of concrete or
mortar, whereas other systems can simply be installed
in the thinset.
Most cable systems can only be installed under
tile; on others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or
concrete, any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete.
Radiant Heaters
Tip: When heating smaller areas with a radiant
heater, it is nearly impossible to beat the simplicity
and price of an electric cable heating system.
|
|
December 18, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
Quite simply put, radiant
heaters are the most efficient form of heat
available in today’s market.
Significantly less operating time is required to attain
and maintain the desired warmth compared to
furnaces and other, traditional methods of
heating, which keeps operational costs to a minimum.
High efficiency boilers or
electric radiant floor systems makes radiant
heat one of your most efficient ways to heat your
home. Combined with a well-insulated home these
systems can quickly warm your home and then shut
down or wait idle for long periods of time before being
called upon by the thermostat to operate.
More than ever before, homebuilders,
househunters, and home renovators alike are
looking for energy-efficient heating options for houses.
We say they need look no further than radiant
heaters for their ideal home heating solution.
Radiant Heaters Tip: It might take a
little effort, but being more environmentally
friendly doesn’t have to involve major
renovations. Many people waste a lot of energy by not
sealing cracks, doors and windows. Checking to
make sure a home’s insulation is in good
shape and replacing it if it’s not is another
good surefire way to stop, prevent, and reverse
energy waste.
|
|
December 13, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
Have you ever gone on a ski vacation for the
weekend and stayed at a little ski
lodge?A lot of the times, they’ll have a
huge fireplace in the main room with smaller
bedrooms up in the loft area or
second-story.But the problem is that when
you’re in the main room with the roaring
fire, you’re often overwhelmed by the heat
and retreat to the bedroom, where it’s far
chillier.You see, many vacation or
weekend homes weren’t built with air conditioning
ducts with which to deliver the heat to the different
rooms of the house. However, there is a solution
to adding heating to homes that have not been
built for traditional forced air systems: radiant
heaters.
As opposed to warm air systems
(such as a forced air unit heaters), radiant
heaters deliver the source of heat to the floor
level, not the ceiling. Radiant
heaters or radiant energy is the oldest form of
heating used to provide comfort and is the basis
for all heating systems.
Additionally, radiant
heaters also offer more comfort than forced air
heating by heating the atmosphere from the
ground up. Since heat rises, the heat will be
more evenly distributed, providing a much more
comfortable atmosphere.
Radiant Heaters Tip: Radiant energy is
totally pure radiation and is absorbed by an object
without physical contact with the heat source or by
heating the surrounding air, as is the case with
convective, forced air systems.
|
|
December 28, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
If you are looking to warm your floors with radiant
heaters and are trying to research what kind of
radiant heaters to install you might find
yourself scratching your head at this point.
There are dozens of products available to purchase, and
there are even more companies telling you that
their product is the best.
So which product is the best?
Should you install a hydronic heating system
that pumps hot water through your floors, an electric
cable heating system, or a low-voltage screen
system? The answer lies in the type of project
you are doing. Not every system is ideal for every
project, but there is an ideal system for every project.
Hydronic Heating Systems
Hydronic floor heating is the
oldest and most popular type of radiant floor
heating. These systems are comprised of a boiler or hot
water heater, pumps, manifolds, PEX tubing,
thermostat, and either gypcrete (a concrete-like
material) or wood panels. Hydronic heating is the most
complex of all radiant heat systems. These systems
require trained professionals to design and
perform the installation. Your best economies of
scale are achieved for hydronic systems in large areas
or entire homes because of their expensive
components and operational costs.
Hydronic systems can be installed under any
type of flooring. Most hydronic systems require hot
water tubing to be installed in a 2-4″
bed of light concrete and are best installed during
the initial construction because of its weight load
demands and adjustments to floor height. Recent
low-mass products have been developed to avoid
these challenges by fitting the tubing into pre-cut
wood panels, making hydronic systems more convenient and
possible for most major remodeling projects.
If you want to heat smaller areas
like a bathroom or kitchen, a hydronic floor
heating system may not be the best value for
your project. The complexity and cost of installing the
system, along with the long-term maintenance and
up-keep required, is not worth the small amount
you will save in operational costs.
Electric Cable Heating
Electric cable heating
systems, often called line- or high-voltage
systems, are gaining popularity and are ideal for
heating smaller areas (10-300 square feet) like
bathrooms, kitchens, and sun rooms. These
systems are comprised of a thermostat and a heating
cable. On some systems, the cable will be
shipped to you as a large spool of cable. These
systems are oftentimes less expensive, and give you the
ability to space the cable how you want and
customize a layout that will heat every square
inch of your floor. Other systems have the cable
attached to a plastic mesh or tape to create a
mat to maintain its proper spacing.
Every available cable system is equally effective, so when
determining which system to purchase, you should look
at the warranty of the product, along with the ease of
installation. Some cables must be embedded in a
separate layer of concrete or mortar, whereas other systems
can simply be installed in the thinset. Most cable
systems can only be installed under tile. However, on
others, if the cable is embedded in mortar or concrete,
any flooring can be installed on top of the concrete. When
heating smaller areas, it is nearly impossible to beat
the simplicity and price of an electric cable heating
system.
|
|
September 20, 2007 00:09 AM  BY WARMZONE
|
|
|
With a name like
Warmzone, we have an unspoken obligation to live up to
the task of matching our customers to the best available
system of warmth and comfort. We strive everyday
to ensure that our products and our knowledgeable,
dedicated staff will leave memories of service that is
second to none, and products that will provide years of
enjoyment.
A brief history
of Warmzone allows consumers to understand why Warmzone
was created. Warmzone realized the growth in the radiant
heat industry was causing problems for consumer and
contractors due to the abundance of technical
information and product choices. Making the right choice for
a radiant heat system is crucial and carries serious
implications to its cost and effectiveness.
Serving as an intermediary between manufacturers,
contractors and consumers, Warmzone’s role is to
match individual needs of a project to a heating
system that makes the most sense. We strive to
match our customer’s needs with the finest
radiant heating systems available. Warmzone.com offers
non-biased, individualized solutions that factor the
installation, durability, performance and operational
investment as the key criteria for our customers.
There are several
variables that Warmzone considers when looking at a
project. Some of these variables include: square
footage, the type of floor covering, the amount of
heat needed for a given area, whether that heat will
be the supplemental or primary source, how well
insulated that environment is, and if it is a major remodel
or completely new construction.
Based on this criterion, we can then discuss the benefits of
a radiant heating system and which technology would be
most appropriate for a consumer in terms of
effectiveness, efficiency, operational costs and
overall upkeep and maintenance.
Because radiant
heat is relatively new in the United States, there is a
continuing need to educate consumers about a wide variety of
radiant solutions. In the interest of avoiding
confusion and finding the best possible application,
Warmzone has done most of the homework for our
prospective customers. Our professional consultants
learn the details regarding your heating goals and
then propose a system that can be easily installed and
will fit your budget. Warmzone continues to
strive toward being viewed as the premier radiant
provider. “We want customers to feel
confident in this market and receive honest
information and pricing regarding the best available
products,” says Brandon Weaver, Vice President
of Sales.
With so many
options in the radiant industry, Warmzone.com is helping
contractors and consumers with the pros and cons of each
system. Representatives of Warmzone suggest the
best possible system for any project. We are not
tied to any one manufacturer and will provide the very
best in pricing and information available. Warmzone
has a very direct relationship with select
manufacturers thus eliminating the ‘one size
fits all’ sales pitch normally received by
homeowners. Using various forms of technology,
Warmzone’s focus is to provide customers with
the most pertinent information in record time. We know this
is the key to establishing trust and long term
partnerships.
As heating costs
skyrocket, radiant heating continues to come to the
forefront. We at Warmzone excel in providing options
that are affordable, convenient and specifically
tailored to the needs of individual consumers.
As we match products with needs, we continually strive
to provide our customers with “warm,
pleasurable” heating experiences. After
all, feeling warm IS a wonderful thing!
We would welcome
the opportunity to serve your needs. Visit us at www.warmzone.com, or call
us directly at
1-888-488-WARM.
About Warmzone
Warmzone provides consumers with
energy-efficient, radiant heating solutions for homes
and businesses. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah,
Warmzone's electricians and radiant heat experts will help
you determine the best radiant heating solution,
ranging from electric heated floors to large
commercial snow and ice melt projects. Send us a plan or
drawings and we'll be happy to provide you with a
FREE estimate
and options for your
roof
heating and ice melting
project.
|
|
December 25, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
|
As demands for
lower energy costs increase, homebuilders, househunters,
and home renovators alike are looking for energy-efficient
heating options for houses. We say they need
look no further than radiant
heaters for their ideal home heating solution.
In a nutshell, radiant
heating is among the most efficient forms of heat
available in today’s market. Significantly less
operating time is required to attain and maintain the
desired warmth compared to furnaces and other,
traditional methods of heating, which keeps operational
costs to a minimum.
High efficiency boilers or electric radiant
floor systems makes radiant heat one of your most
efficient ways to heat your home. Combined with a
well-insulated home, these radiant heater systems can
quickly warm your home and then shut down or wait idle
for long periods of time before being called upon by
the thermostat to operate.
Radiant Heaters
Tip: Being more environmentally friendly
doesn’t have to involve major renovations. Many
people waste a lot of energy by not sealing cracks, doors
and windows. Checking to make sure a home’s
insulation is in good shape and replacing it if
it’s not is another good surefire way to stop,
prevent, and reverse energy waste.
|
|
November 29, 2008 00:11 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
With the current housing market being so
unpredictable, we’re seeing an increasing
number of homeowners are opting to stay put in their
homes, rather than buy a new home. They find
that one way to make their current home a better
fit for them is to remodel the kitchen or
bathroom, or upgrade the home’s heating systems.
While there isn’t a single heating
system out there that is an ideal fit for every
project, there is an ideal system for every
project. Warmzone.com can provide you with the
heating
systems you desire, as well as consult with you on
which systems would be the best fit for your
project.
Hydronic under floor heating
systems are some of the most popular forms of
radiant heat. In the most recent hydronic
heating systems, PEX radiant tubing has been
installed in a concrete mass called Gypsum Concrete or
“Gypcrete.” This method of heating
system installation works very well in most
applications, but there have been developments
in the installation process of hydronic under
floor heating that make it easier to install for certain
situations. This new development is known as a
low-mass or modular board underlayment system.
Rather than embedding the hot water tubing in
concrete, the PEX tubing is laid in the grooves of
pre-cut wood panels. This new method is ideal
for remodeling and most new construction
projects.
Heating System Tip: The hydronic
under-floor heating
system was first used by the Romans; there have
obviously been significant developments since
that time.
|
|
December 03, 2008 00:12 AM  BY STACEY BARRUS
|
|
|
When replacing a
home heating system, there are a lot of questions that
people have in regards to new home heating
systems. Here is a questions that was recently
asked.
Q: My 1,200
square foot home used to be heated by a furnace from 1949
that ran at 25,000 BTU. Recently I changed the system to a
newer, 7,000 BTU system. I thought this newer heater
would be more efficient, but I find that it takes much
longer to heat the house than the older system did. Is
there something wrong with my furnace or do I need one that
has a higher BTU?
A: It’s a good idea to replace old heating
systems with newer, more efficient models. These new
models can work just as well or better than old
systems, but they do work differently. Where old
furnaces could be turned on and heat the house within a
matter of minutes, new heating systems can take
longer. If you want your home to be warm at a certain
time, set the heat to go on about 45 minutes prior to that.
Another important factor is whether your home is
“weather-tight.” Make sure all doors and
windows are properly sealed. If not, you may be losing
heat at the same rate your heating system is producing it.
Check with a heating contractor who can tell you
whether the new unit is sized correctly for your
home’s square footage.
|
|
December 29, 2008 00:12 AM  BY ROBERT COHEN
|
|
The Mystery
Warranty
How much
do you really know about the warranties offered
by manufacturers? Sure it may say “25 Year
Warranty” on the package, but what exactly does that
mean? Most manufacturers of radiant heating systems
offer a warranty, but a 25 year warranty isn’t
always better than a 10 year warranty and this is why:
I chose the
Danfoss GX electric radiant heat cables to build an asphalt
heated driveway at my residence. The heat of the asphalt
combined with heavy weight, caused me to wonder how
the GX cables were going to hold up, and what would
happen if a problem occurred. I was pleased to
discover that Danfoss products have a 10 year warranty, that
covers up to 5 times the cost of original
installation. Why is this exciting? Because the
failure of a radiant heating system isn’t like a
vacuum cleaner breaking down, you can’t throw
it in your car and bring it back to the store for a
refund. Fixing a severed cable requires tearing up the
surface of the driveway – or in the case of indoor
radiant heating, tearing up your brand new tiles or
wood flooring. The process of tearing up a floor or
driveway is time consuming and costly, not to mention
annoying. Many manufacturers will replace the bad product,
but you still have to pay out of your own pocket to
tear up the floor and hire someone to fix the problem.
Danfoss is so
sure that you won’t have any problems, their warranty
is the best offered by radiant heat manufacturers. Not
only do you get brand new Danfoss product, but they
will cover the cost of floor removal, and
reinstallation (up to 5 times the cost of the original
installation). So when you install your radiant floor
or driveway, you can rest easy knowing that unexpected
problems are already covered.
|
|
|