How Solar Hot Water Works

Posted by admin on Aug 21, 2012 in Property Maintenance | 0 comments

Heating water accounts for a large portion of a home’s energy use. It is a constant need we use hot water for showers, washing dishware and laundry and it mounts up. There are greener options that are available. A high efficiency and tank less water heater can reduce the energy consumption. Typically a solar water heater is used together with standard heaters given that weather conditions affect production of solar hot water.

Solar is a good source of clean energy, its sunlight, fuel is free and limitless and produces nothing when transformed into energy. However the problem with solar is its efficiency, in converting its fuel to electricity. But in the case of heating the sunlight does not need to turn into electricity, it needs to become heat. Converting sunlight into heat is a cinch. A typical solar hot water system can cut down the need for water heating by nearly two thirds.

How does solar hot water work? Solar panels milton keynes supplier will now try to answer that question and explainw what you need to know. At is base a solar hot water doe’s one thing which is use the sunlight to warm water.

The sun does the work that would have been done by electricity, natural gas or fuel oil. Solar hot water systems required a UN shaded preferably facing south location generally a roof. Usually the hot water systems contain two parts; a storage tank and solar collector. The collector is normally set up on the roof and holds the fluid or water that will be heated.

The tubes are attached to an absorb plate which is usually painted black so that it absorbs heat. While heat mounts up within the collector, it heats the fluid which passes through the tubes. The storage tank then retains the hot water. A storage tank can be an adjusted water heater but there normally bigger and well insulated. That is major set up and some systems are not so complex than that.

The most efficient kind of solar hot water systems utilize evacuated collector tubes which are usually glass or metal tubes that are surrounded in a vacuum and put in a bigger glass tubes. The water proof heat transfer fluid flows through the interior tubes where it will be heated by the sun. The solar heating systems will either directly heat the water or heat a transfer liquid, an in turns heats water subtly via a heat exchanger.

Constructing a homemade solar water heater is not exactly simple for beginners. It needs installing glass, pipes and insulation, so you will need a handyman milton keynes or plumber milton keynes, but the homemade option is ideal for saving money and the planet. Basically a batch water heater system is the simplest to construct at home. It just requires a handful of basic parts. When you are building a water heater there are some factors to consider. You to first determine the suitable location for the heater so that it is exposed to the sunlight every day. Ensure that the suitable location supports the weight of the set up. You also need to work out what size the tank you need, so that water does not run out in middle of a shower.

All that you wanted to know about how to install a wood burner in your home

Posted by admin on Apr 20, 2012 in Chimneys | 0 comments

You may want to install wood burner in your home in case you wish to save on your heating costs. And if you wish to know all about installing wood burner in your home, then you also need to remember that a wood stove can get very hot and hence its installation requires several precautions, you may also need some extra protection like bird guards milton keynes, but this is discussed later in this article.

Before the installation, you need to select the right place. The wood stove has to be in the centre of the house, at the ground level as from there the heat can travel to the nearby rooms easily. Besides, there needs to be ample space nearby for storing wood and to clear out the ash.

And before you learn about installing wood burner in your home, you need to learn how to install the chimney first. This can be either made of stone or be a stainless steel one. Do ensure that the chimney you use is able to withstand high temperature. In case of a single story construction, the regular stovepipe will connect with the insulated chimney on top at a special box that will be placed just below the ceiling. This insulated chimney is then stacked up till it reaches at least 3 feet above the height of the roof. Another way to install the chimney is by making it exit through a wall and making it go up along the side of the wall. The chimney can then be having a wood framing or sided in order to match with the exterior of the house.

While installing the chimney, ensure that it is as tall as possible. Also, try to keep as little bends as possible. Use a cap so that birds do not enter the chimney.

Next you need to connect a stovepipe from a free standing stove to its chimney. The stovepipe has to be kept at a distance of at least 18″ from any ceiling, furniture or wall. The pipe has to be secured properly so that the connection is rigid as well as strong.

You also need to ensure non-combustible surroundings. After all, a wood burner tends to get very hot. Hence it needs to be kept away from anything that is combustible in the house. So it has to be kept at least 12 inches away from non-combustible walls and at least 36 inches from the combustible walls. There can be heavy gauge metal sheets around the wood stove. Or else there can be stove boards that are prefabricated or even ceramic tiles or any other such material that will make the surrounding area safe from the heat.

There are many other precautions to be taken while installing a wood burner. Never install it in a sleeping room. Besides, the hearth extension, the wood stove, chimney and the air intake assembly need to be installed as per the instructions of the manufacturer.

It is always better to choose a corner for installing the wood burner as that will use up less space. This is preferred over installing against a flat wall and have it projecting into the room space.

How Often Should You Get Your Chimney Swept?

Posted by admin on Apr 20, 2012 in Chimneys | 0 comments

Individuals who have chimneys often wonder how often they should get their chimney swept. The answer to that question is it depends. There are a number of factors that determine how often you should get your chimney swept. Number one would be how often do you use it? What sorts of fuel do you use? Chimneys that have a great deal of use get a dangerous build-up of creosote in them. The chimneys can be prone to fires. Chimney fires can be potentially very damaging to homes. Creosote build-up can also cause cancer.

The National Chimney Safety Institute recommends cleaning your chimney once per year. It is also cheaper to get your chimney cleaned frequently, because chimney’s that are not cleaned on a regular basis tend to build up soot and creosote and require cleaning with a chemical based solution. It ends up being more costly for the homeowner, and may require more than one appointment. Also birds and other animals may try to make your chimney a home. Consequently, it makes good sense to get your chimney cleaned frequently.

The best time of the year to clean your chimney is usually in the summer. This is a good time of year to clean because sweeps are not busy with the “fall rush.” This will also help to keep your home free of allergens that can sometimes be a problem in the summer months.

Those that use their chimneys to burn coal or wood that is green or has not been properly seasoned may require more frequent chimney cleaning. It is recommended that those individuals get their chimneys cleaned twice per year.

Some individuals who rarely use their chimneys wonder if they still need to have their chimneys cleaned. It is always good to have your chimney cleaned to remove soot and any potential build up, but those that use their chimney on an infrequent basis can probably get their chimney cleaned every other year or every third year.

Even those that never use their chimney should still have it inspected, preferably on an annual basis. This will help to insure the chimney is in good working order, without damage and no animals have decided to make a home in the structure.

It is good to hire a sweep that has credentials and has passed a certification course of some sort. The sweep or chimney sweep agency you choose should be a member of the Master Guild of Chimney Sweeps. That way the homeowner will be sure that the sweep has the proper credentials to clean the chimney.

For those who wish to have their chimney cleaned, chimney sweep milton keynes are a professional company that are fully qualified and insured. It is recommended to have a professional chimney sweep do your cleaning rather than doing it yourself. Your chimney professional knows exactly what they are looking for. Save yourself a dangerous chimney fire and make sure your chimney is safe for use anytime of the year. Call a chimney sweep today. They will clean your chimney well.