Insulating Materials: Building Construction and Location

Insulating materials are specifically designed to reduce the rate of heat transmission through ordinary construction materials to an acceptable level. A dry material of low density is considered a good insulator; however, in addition to this characteristic, it must also have a conductivity value of less than 0.5.

The conductivity value of a material is a purely arbitrary one determined by the amount of heat that flows in 1 hour through a 1 inch thickness of a material 1 square foot in area with the temperature exactly 1 degree F higher on one side of the material than on the other.

Air spaces, or air spaces bounded by either ordinary building materials or aluminum foil, also provide some insulation, but not to the degree formerly thought possible. Dead air spaces in building walls were once considered capable of preventing heat transmission in a manner similar to the space between the walls of a thermos bottle. Later research proved this to be a somewhat false analogy because the air in such spaces often circulates and transmits heat by convection.

Air circulation can be checked by filling the hollow space with an insulating material that contains a great number of small confined air spaces per unit volume. This stoppage of air circulation is what produces the insulating effect, and not merely the existence of the air space. Under these circumstances, it is obvious that the most practical method of insulation is to fill the area in the walls with a material containing these minute air spaces.

Several manufacturers produce insulating materials in a variety of shapes and forms for insulation in houses and other buildings. Frequently, instructions for the installation of the products will also be provided by the manufacturer. Local building supply outlets and lumber yards will often be very helpful, too, and will usually recommend the best way to install the insulation material.

Construction and Location
A masonry, common in many older homes, is a particularly poor thermal barrier. A typical masonry cavity wall has a thermal resistance equal to approximately 1in of ridged insulation. Exterior opaque masonry walls should have maximum U-value of 0.11, requiring insulation rated at R-7 or greater.

A new building (particularly a residence should be located so that the large windows in the main rooms face south to receive the maximum sunlight during the winter months. If possible, the building should be built in a location that offers some natural protection from the prevailing winter winds. Tight, well-insulated construction should be incorporated in the design of the building from the beginning. Although the initial costs will be somewhat higher, they will be effectively offset by the reduction in heating and cooling costs.

If a new Denver heating and air system is planned for an older structure, the existing insulation should be checked and, if necessary, repaired or replaces before the new system is installed. 

Common Furnace Repair Problems in Fairbanks

Written By Atrol Inc

Most home and business owners know one primary thing about their furnace: that it provides heat. Pretty basic, right?

Well, in a perfect world, it really ought to be that basic, because in that perfect world, your furnace or boiler would never break down. But since they do, and since they’re complex machines, sooner or later you’re going to need the services of a professional HVAC contractor.

Here at Altrol Heating & Cooling Professional Repair, we’re all about sharing information so our customers can have a better understanding how their heating and cooling systems operate, and what might be causing a problem. So, with that in mind, here are the most common repair problems we encounter: Thermostat malfunction, Tripped circuit breake, Blown fuse, Pilot light gone out, Furnace not generating heat, Temperature swings, Blower problems

Typical Furnace Maintenance Recommendations

Furnace maintenance is extremely important to the life of your furnace; proper cleaning and repair will ensure that your furnace works its best and lasts as long as you own your home. Here are some tips to help you keep your furnace in good running order so that you don’t have to replace before its time.

Furnace Care and Maintenance
Start by considering your furnace filters – do they need changing or replacing? Furnace filters catch all the dust, debris and hair that run through your ducts and help to purify the heat that comes out of your vents. When the filter gets clogged, your furnace stops running as well and exerts more energy than necessary. In extreme cases, the blower may be affected, triggering the need for costly repairs. Replace your disposable filters as the first part of heating maintenance.

Schedule a tune-up yearly by a licensed HVAC repair specialist to keep your furnace in good running order. It’s a good idea to schedule this in early fall, before you have to turn on your furnace, to give you time to schedule any furnace repairs that need to be done. A technician will check your flues, ducts and temperature settings, examine your heat exchanger for cracks or other damage, and double-check all safety mechanisms to ensure proper furnace efficiency. HVAC maintenance should take place regularly if you want to avoid emergency furnace repairs.

Some HVAC technicians will offer furnace maintenance packages. It may be a good idea to look into these if you don’t feel up to maintaining your furnace yourself. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can keep your furnace running efficiently by checking your owner’s manual regularly. Tasks you can do yourself include checking to see if the blower motor needs to be lubricated, replacing frayed belts, checking for visible cracks or blockages, and more.

Proper furnace maintenance allows you to keep your furnace running longer and put off any expensive repairs. Always make sure to check your furnace annually for any of the problems mentioned above and keep your equipment in good running order.

How to Practice Safe Furnace Cleaning

When you are cleaning your furnace, three things should be cleaned:

• The filter system
• The blower
• The motor

Replace your furnace filter at the beginning of the heating season to keep your home cleaner and to keep dirt and debris from flying into your blower and ruining it. Check the filter by holding it up to the light. You’ll be able to see if it’s clogged just by looking at it. If it’s disposable, replace it. If it’s a permanent filter, follow the instructions on the side of your furnace to learn how to clean it.

Clean your blower by removing the panel that covers the filter to gain access to the blower or the panel on the front of the furnace. Slide out the fan unit to gain access to the blower and clean it out. If you are not comfortable doing this, hire a certified HVAC specialist to clean all three parts of your furnace for you. HVAC specialists have a complete range of experience with gas furnace cleaning, oil furnace cleaning, and electric furnace cleaning. It is a good idea to get your furnace serviced by a professional even if you are willing to clean it yourself.