Fresno Energy House

Pellet stoves use compressed pellets (made from wood or other biomass) for fuel and can be either fireplace inserts or free-standing stoves. They can be categorized into two types based on the pellet delivery systems, top-fed and bottom-fed.

A top-fed pellet stove directs pellets into the combustion chamber from the hopper at the top of the stove. Its combustion chamber is more likely to be filled with ash and other debris.

A bottom-fed pellet stove feeds pellets into the combustion chamber from the bottom and automatically pushes the ash into the ash pan. The cleanup of this kind of stove is typically easier because of the larger capacity of the ash pan.

Among all the biomass technologies available, pellet stoves may be the easiest to operate and maintain. Unlike wood stoves, pellet-burning involves no cutting, less hauling, no splitting, stacking or waiting for your wood to dry. If used correctly, pellet stoves produce very little smoke and creosote, the latter being the main cause of chimney fire.

Wood pellets are normally manufactured from sawdust or wood chips through a combination of heat and pressure. Using premium grade pellets will help reduce the ash build up in stoves. EPA does not certify nor label wood pellets.

For more information read the Pellet Stove Fact Sheet (PDF)

Source: http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/pelletstoves.html

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from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/11553.html

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

My tweets

Mon, 17:36 : My tweets http://t.co/L3YQ24CmmZ Mon, 11:04 : Planning for a Spa http://t.co/WSGkeRFxXE Mon, 11:07 : Plann... http://t.co/28uy86d8Gt

from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/11486.html

Monday, June 2, 2014

My tweets

Mon, 11:04 : Planning for a Spa http://t.co/WSGkeRFxXE

Mon, 11:07 : Planning for a Spa http://t.co/FYQJWwgkMP Spa or hot tub? In-ground or portable? This guide will help you man... http://t.co/hWYVRllhwr

from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/11065.html

Planning for a Spa

Spa or hot tub? In-ground or portable? This guide will help you maneuver through these tough decisions.

Whether you are planning a backdoor retreat or an indoor getaway, you'll need to consider a variety of issues before you purchase and install a home spa or hot tub.

Although less involved than planning for a pool, installing a spa or hot tub isn't a task to be taken lightly.

Key issues you'll need to think about include:

Should I get a spa or hot tub?

Do I want a portable or in-ground unit?

Will it be indoors or outside?

What level of disruption will the installation entail?

What zoning restrictions will I face?

How will my insurance be affected?

How can I keep my family and guests safe?

The general distinction between a hot tub and a spa is construction. Hot tubs, first popularized in California, are made of wood. Spas come in a rainbow of shapes and sizes. Most portable spas are made of acrylic while most in-ground varieties are concrete.

Portable spas average between $2,000 and $12,000, depending on size and features. In-ground spas average between $15,000 and $20,000. It is often more cost-effective to build them in conjunction with an in-ground pool.

Aside from costs, the advantages and disadvantages of portable and in-ground spas vary.

Portable Advantages:

Portable units can be installed and running within a few hours.

These all-in-one units come equipped with the spa, support equipment, and skirting that hides the equipment.

Easy to install. They can be operational in a matter of hours.

Suitable for small yards.

You can take it with you if you move -- unless you have built it into a deck or patio.

Typically very energy efficient.

They often have more jets than their in-ground counterparts.

Because of the standard shapes and sizes, purchasing accessories like covers is easy and economical.

Disadvantages:

Difficult to disguise, many portable spas become an unwanted focal point of a landscape, sticking out above the surface.

You are limited to the size and shapes offered by manufacturers.

In-ground Advantages:

An in-ground spa can add a dramatic effect to your yard.

You can customize their shape and size.

They can easily be integrated into a deck or patio.

Teamed with a pool or other features they can turn your yard into a dramatic landscape.

Disadvantages:

They are more costly because, essentially, you are building a miniature pool with water jets.

They must be built by a professional.

The more features, such as additional jets, increase the cost because of the construction and additional fittings involved.

Read more: http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/pools-spas/planning-for-a-spa/

Visit us: http://energyhousefresno.com/

from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/10835.html