Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Order Bosch Parts On-Line and Save...

Houseneeds only does the fulfillment for Bosch. They package all parts. And only a Bosch tech can confirm part numbers.

Link to Search (just put part number in the search box):
http://www.houseneeds.com/search.asp

Link to Page:
http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/Heatingproducts/waterheating/parts/waterheaterrepairparts.asp

Monday, June 27, 2011

Whats New from Houseneeds

Remember, Houseneeds is always on the lookout for new products that are energy efficient or make those household projects easier to tackle.

Link to Whats New:
http://www.houseneeds.com/whatsnew.asp

Monday, June 13, 2011

Did You Know...

HousePex's molecular orientation is achieved during extrusion, which is a very unique process. Peroxide cross-linking occurs simultaneously with the orientation and guarantees optimal tubing properties (pex stands for polyethylene cross-linked).

EVOH - Refers to a type of oxygen barrier that is commonly used in Pex Tubing. EVOH stands for ethylene vinyl alcohol, this compound prevents oxygen diffusion and is bonded to the Pex during the manufacturing process.

HousePex is Manufactured in Sweden on state-of-the-art
extruding machines, uses Peroxide Extrusion which is the most
flexible / strongest and meets SDR-9 specification (standard dimensional ratio).

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Whole House Fan Basics

On a sunny day the temperature of an attic can reach as high as 140 degrees! And this high temperature in your attic will keep the indoor temperature higher than the outdoor temperature for several (or more) hours after the sun goes down.

By pulling heat out of your home with the a Whole House Fan, cooler outside air is drawn into the home. The heated air is then pushed out of your home through the attic vents. WHF's can make you more comfortable and could reduce your air conditioning bills.

When you choose a fan, divide that fans cfm by 750 (1 square foot of opening for each 750 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of airflow). This number determines the amount of square footage of net free air required to properly vent. To allow for any restrictions created by screening and louvers multiply that number by 2. This number is the minimum square footage of venting required for the fan to exhaust properly. One can choose a combination of ridge, soffit and/or gable venting to make up the square footage.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The benefits of a PEX Radiant Heat System:

Comfort - It may be freezing outside, but your pex radiant heat system will keep you warm from head to toe. Nothing compares to the comfort and surrounding warmth of a pex underfloor radiant heat system in your home using our PEX Tubing. We have PEX-A, PEX-C and Alum PEX Tubing.


Efficiency - Radiant Heat with PEX is the most efficient heating system available. Radiant underfloor heat costs less to heat your home than any other type of heating system by being able to lower the thermostat temperture while still staying toasty warm. Generally, you can save 15 to 20% as compared to forced-air or hydronic baseboard heating systems.


Zoning - With pex radiant heat, you can zone different areas of your home to different temperatures to fit your lifestyle, unlike central heating and air.


Flexibility - A radiant floor heating system can be installed under practically any type of flooring, such as carpeting, tile, linoleum, wood floors, etc. Easily add underfloor heat to small areas such as bathrooms or kitchens.


Improves Air Quality - PEX Radiant Heat reduces dust mites and air borne allergens by 60%-90%. No other heating system reduces allergies as effectively as radiant heat.


Interior Decorating Freedom - PEX Radiant heat systems are installed with PEX Tubing and is within the structure of your home, which means you will not have to consider vents, hydronic baseboards, hydronic radiators, or drafty areas when decorating and furnishing your home.


Adds Value to Your Home - There are many other potential implementations of pex radiant heat in your home such as heating your garage or melting snow from your driveway in winter. A radiant heating system will increase the value of your home more than it costs to install.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Surge Suppressor and Power Conditioning Systems

On residential units we emphasize the PowerGUARD’s ability to protect the whole house. In fact, the PowerGUARD is ETL listed for spike and surge suppression. A common misconception is that the PG is capacitor driven. It is a magnetic choke based system that improves Power Factor inductively. Along with the energy savings, the power quality is improved (better balanced voltage, reduced amperage and spike / surge protection)which is far more than a capacitor can offer.

With all the heat pump and HVAC applications in the southern part of the country, there is ample opportunity for energy savings for the average homeowner. Some solar installers include a PowerGUARD unit in each application as it protects the Photo Voltaic system from spikes, surges and helps the system last longer as well as reducing total usage for the homeowner.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Did You Know

The earth has a much more constant temperature than the air. It might be 100 degrees in summer and -40 degrees in winter where you live. But a few feet down, the earth will always be a steady temperature.

For every 100 feet you go down into the earth, the temperature rises 1.5 degrees. So if you were to dig down to a depth of 600 feet, assuming the temperature a few feet below ground is 60 degrees, the deeper rock would have a temperature of
69 degrees.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Boiling Temperature of Water At Different Altitudes

Approximate Boiling Temperatures of Water

Altitude........Temperature
Sea Level.......212 degrees F
984 ft............210 degrees F
2,000 ft........208 degrees F
3,000 ft........206 degrees F
5,000 ft........203 degrees F
7,500 ft........198 degrees F
10,000 ft.......194 degrees F
20,000 ft.......178 degrees F
26,000 ft.......168 degrees F

Note: Each 500 foot increase in altitude causes a drop of about 1° in the boiling point.

Boiling Temperature Of Water At Different Altitudes

Approximate Boiling Temperatures of Water

Altitude TemperatureSea Level 212 degrees F
984 ft. 210 degrees F
2,000 ft. 208 degrees F
3,000 ft. 206 degrees F
5,000 ft. 203 degrees F
7,500 ft. 198 degrees F
10,000 ft. 194 degrees F
20,000 ft. 178 degrees F
26,000 ft. 168 degrees F

Note: Each 500 foot increase in altitude causes a drop of about 1° in the boiling point.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Home Energy Conservation and Tips

Saving energy means more dollars in your pocket, but it is also a powerful way to save our valuable resources. Energy conservation is the most important green initiative that we should take to heart and practice.

We can start with small steps to lighten the "footprints" we leave behind for future generations like the simple changing of a light bulb which can make a dramatic difference in energy efficiency and cost savings (standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save 75% of lighting cost).

A surprisingly large number of electrical products—TVs to microwave ovens to air conditioners—cannot be switched off completely without being unplugged. These products draw power 24 hours a day, often without the knowledge of the consumer. We call this power consumption "standby power."

An individual product draws relatively little standby power but a typical American home has forty products constantly drawing power. Together these amount to almost 10% of residential electricity use.

Identify and reduce these energy drains by using smart strips or unplugging when not in use.


Energy Saving Tips

Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Replace energy-hungry incandescent lights with fluorescent lighting.

Check with your utility company for energy conservation tips.

Use a programmable thermostat that automatically turns off

the air conditioner or heater when you don't need them.

Add insulation to your home.

Use a fan instead of air conditioning.

Use an EPA-approved wood burning stove or fireplace insert

Insulate your water heater or buy a tankless unit.

Install low-flow showerheads.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Solar Collectors

EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS:
Another type of active solar collector consists of several
glass tubes, each of which has concentric inner and outer
walls. The annular space between these glass tubes has
been evacuated of air and thus acts like a Thermos®
bottle. Convective heat transfer between the inner and
outer glass tubes is essentially eliminated. A coated
copper absorber strip with attached tubing is located
within the inner glass tube, as shown in figure 12.
Most current-generation evacuated tubes have a
specialized fluid sealed within the internal copper tubing.
When heated, this fluid changes from liquid to vapor
and rises toward the top of the tube. It then passes into
a small copper capsule that fits tightly into a manifold
assembly at the top of the collector. Heat conducts
though this copper capsule into fluid circulating along
the manifold. The fluid sealed within the evacuated
tubes never contacts the fluid in the manifold. As heat
is released from the fluid within the evacuated tube, it
condenses back to a liquid and flows back to the bottom
of the tube ready to repeat the cycle.


FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS:
The principal component in this type of collector is the
absorber plate, which is usually an assembly of copper
sheet and copper tubing. The top surface of the absorber
plate is coated with dark colored paint or electroplated
“selective surface” coating that absorbs the vast majority
of solar radiation striking it. The instant solar radiation
strikes this surface it is converted to thermal energy
(e.g., heat). The copper sheet acts as a wick to conduct
this heat toward the copper tubing that is welded or
otherwise bonded to the sheet. Heat moves across the
copper sheet toward the tubes because the fluid flowing
through the tubes is cooler than the absorber sheet. This
fluid absorbs the heat and carries it out of the collector.
To minimize heat loss, the absorber plate is usually
housed in an enclosure made of aluminum and capable of
withstanding many years of exterior exposure. The sides
and back of this enclosure are insulated with materials
capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 350ºF,
which might occur if the collector is exposed to intense
sunlight without fluid flow through its absorber plate.
The upper surface of the enclosure is usually tempered
glass with a low iron oxide content. Tempered glass can
withstand high thermal stress as well as potential impact
from hailstones or other objects. Low iron oxide content
glass minimizes absorption of solar radiation as it passes
through on its way to the absorber plate.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Types of Venting

A Type - Double Wall, Stainless and Insulated between walls

B Type – Double Wall, Air between walls (Galvanized outer - Aluminum inner)

C Type – Single Wall Stainless (Z-Vent)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Roof Pitch by Degrees

Roof Pitch and the corresponding degrees:
12/1 = 4 degrees
12/2 = 9.5
12/3 = 14
12/4 = 18.5
12/5 = 22.5
12/6 = 26.5
12/7 = 30.5
12/8 = 33.75
12/9 = 37
12/10 = 40
12/11 = 42.5
12/12 = 45

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

High Altitude NG Or LP Ratings

For operation at elevations above 2000 feet, the equipment ratings (NG or LP gas) shall be reduced 4% for each 1000 feet above 2000 feet.

From 4000 to 10,000 feet a CO2 adjustment with a flue gas analyzer should be used for all gas appliances.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Common Plumbing Terms

AGA - American Gas Association
CC - Copper x Copper
NPT - National Pipe Thread (Standard)
Dia.- Diameter
FGH - Female Garden Hose
FHT - Female Hose Thread
FIP - Female Iron Pipe
FPT - Female Pipe Thread
IPS - Iron Pipe Size
MGH - Male Garden Hose
MHT - Male Hose Thread
MIP - Male Iron Pipe
MPT - Male Pipe Thread
GPM - Gallons Per Minute
OD - Outside Diameter
ID - Inside Diameter
SWT - Sweat
THD - Thread
CP - Chrome Plated
PB - Polished Brass
SF - Satin Finish
SS - Stainless Steel

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Sizing An Electric Tankless Water Heater

When sizing an electric tankless water heater for your home remember to look at the manufactures recommended electric service to the house (in Amperage) for each model you are considering. A common mistake when ordering online is to look at the 220/240 Volts and not the Amperage, often resulting in getting the wrong size and the wasted time of a return.

Our electric tankless water heaters are 97% efficient and are not subject to stand-by losses of conventional tank type water heaters.
This offers a 20% or more savings on the hot water portion of your bill.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Energy Tips

1. If you spend $2000 a year on fuel consider replacing an older boiler (65% efficiency) with a 95% high efficiency boiler. This could save you up to $580 dollars a year!

2. The heating equipment in your home needs regular tune-ups just like your car. Having a professional clean and calibrate your boiler every year can typically save you 5-8% on your bill.

3. Radiant heat is not only more comfortable to your body but you can see savings of 10%-30% in most residences and up to 60% in shops, garages, and warehouses.

4. Check the furnace filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block airflow through your heating equipment, increasing your energy bill and shortening the equipment’s life.

5. Fans can suck all the heat out of the average house in little more than an hour. Minimize use of ventilation fans such as bathroom and kitchen hood fans during cold temps.

Monday, February 7, 2011

What is a BTU

British thermal unit: a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere

Related Amounts:

1 Watt = 3.413 BTU*

1 Gallon Propane = 91,330 BTU*

1 Gallon Fuel Oil (#2) = 138,690 BTU*

1 Therm (of any fuel) = 100,000 BTU*

1 Ton = 12,000 BTU*

*(US Dept of Energy)

Monday, January 24, 2011

Bosch Parts

Bosch wants customers to verify part numbers, because part numbers can change from one product manual to the next (often when they are reprinted). This is to help save your time because if you order the incorrect part it is not returnable.

So please call Bosch toll free 866 330 2730

Link to Page:
http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/Heatingproducts/waterheating/parts/waterheaterrepairparts.asp

Link to Search (just put part number in the search box):
http://www.houseneeds.com/search.asp

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Protect Your Electronics

Protect your electronics and your entire electrical system in ways no other product can offer. Specialized equipment like electronics, personal computers, and appliances will have maximum surge and spike protection. POM PowerGuard® is rated to take 5 lightning hits in 1 second and still keep on working. You can't blow a magnetic choke (with a 5 year warranty it is a small price to pay to protect your investment)*. And POM PowerGuard® can also improve sound and picture quality for audio and video equipment, including the most sophisticated home entertainment units.

Remember POM PowerGuard®:

Protects the entire house from lightning, spikes and surges

Reduces energy consumption

Extends life of motors and appliances

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Reminder: Residential Energy Credits Form

For Tax Credit you will need IRS Form 5695