Boiler Basics
and much smaller.
Just as energy-efficiency has translated to heaters, there are more choices for homeowners when it comes to boilers. Perhaps the biggest development is the materials used. Most boilers are made from cast iron; the most energy-efficient ones, however, are constructed from cast aluminum, which means a boost in energy ef-
ficiency from 87 percent with cast iron to 90 percent with aluminum.
That might not seem like much, but it will likely make a dif- ference over years of energy bills
— and it looks cool too. Known as “modulating/condensing,” or “mod/ con” products, these super boilers not only take care of energy-effi- cient heat transfer, they’re also a lot smaller, which means your boiler isn’t taking up that closet you wanted to use as hobby storage.
“You can do a lot more in a
smaller space with these,” says The latest high-efficiencyboilers
Ken Niemi of Burnham Hydronics, are sleeker and smaller than in
a manufacturer of several new the past, meaning homeowners
mod/con boiler products. “Beyond don’tnecessarilyneed utility
energy efficiency, customers rooms to hide unsightlyequip-
are looking for smaller size ment. Photo courtesy of Burnham. and aesthetics.”
Need closet space? New energy-efficient boilers are hot —
INSID
FEATURES
08 From the Hearth
Find out how natural gas fireplaces, stoves and logsets can add warmth and comfort to your home.
a natural fit The Heat Is On!
Discover how the right gas-fired heating equipment can keep temperatures higher and translate into big savings. By Amy E. Lemen
12 Now You’re Cooking!
Discover the benefits of cooking with natural gas — and see some of the latest ranges from a variety of manufacturers.
ant to turn this winter into a cozy, lower-cost Wseason for your family? Installing a high-effi- ciency or condensing natural gas furnace can
help make it happen.
“Condensing units have been around more than 10 years, and each year they take a bigger share of the market,” says Glenn Pot- tberg, national sales manager at ThermoProducts, a manufacturer of high-efficiency furnaces. “Whether they’re replacing old units or installing new, more homeowners want higher-efficiency models.”
The term furnace is used to describe a whole-house heating system that heats a space. A heater, on the other hand, heats a room or specific area by burning natural gas or propane; a flame heats the air, which then heats the room. Boilers, on the other hand, heat water, not air, then circulate that hot water through plastic tubing, baseboards or radiators (see “Boiler Basics,” at right).
In mid-efficiency units, the gas is burned off via what’s called a heat exchanger, which then moves it through ductwork and a blower to heat your house. In high-efficiency units, gas goes through not one but two heat exchangers, where the secondary exchanger can extract even more heat from the gas it’s burning.
The reason these furnaces are called “condensing” units is be- cause they’re so efficient that condensation forms inside the second heat exchanger. The solution is an inside drain that moves the mois- ture safely away, usually outside the house. “The industry has been able to get to 95 efficient percent with these, where years ago it was only 78 to 80 percent,” Pottberg says. “Higher efficiency units use less fuel and cost less to operate.” 
In Every Issue
03 a natural fit
Learn how high-efficiency heaters and boilers can translate into big savings.
04 natural choices
Want to reduce your utility bills? Find out how radiant floor heaters, snow-melt systems and blue-flame space heaters can help. Plus, what you should know about water heaters and backup generators.
07 naturally better
Learn how desiccants can improve air quality and help your family breath easier.
16 naturally good
Try these surprisingly simple recipes for great-tasting food cooked over natural gas.
02naturalLiving ❙ Fal - Winter
naturalLiving is a free publication brought to you by Energy Solutions Center, published in cooperation with PRISM Media Group.
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Most whole-house heating systems are gas-fired and can be divided into two classes: mid-efficiency and high- efficiency. Mid-efficiency models are about 82 percent efficient; that is, of 100 BTUs (British Thermal Units, a meas- ure of heat), 82 end up being usable heat. High-efficiency or condensing units include those with more than 90 per- cent efficiency, so for those same 100 BTUs, 90 are used and only 10 are lost. Given those kinds of numbers, the savings difference can be significant.
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency — a nonprofit organization that promotes the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products — estimates that homeown- ers can save up to 15 percent on energy bills with a qual- ifying furnace and 10 percent with a high-efficiency boiler, when compared to standard-efficiency units.
“If a homeowner has a furnace that’s 15 or 20 years old, it’s probably much less efficient than even a mid-efficiency model,” says Pottberg. “If they’ve got a 60 percent efficient model and they replace it with a 90 percent efficient unit, it’ll pay for itself in four or five years.”
Determining Efficiency
The U.S. Department of Energy sets efficiency standards
—known as the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE — for all boilers and furnaces. The current minimum AFUE is 78 percent. The AFUE rating can be found on the yellow Energy Guide label on each piece of equipment.
The most efficient heating units are called condensing.
naturalLiving ❙ Fal - Winter03
