Regency Natural Living Gas Fireplaces User's Manual
Contents
1. presented laf tt j WW J INSIDE 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 Ir naturalLiving I Fall Winter FEATURES 08 From the Hearth Find out how natural gas fireplaces stoves and logsets can add warmth and comfort to your home 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 g Fi i a r 7 z e z i is aw a E 4 s gt Se naturalLiving is a free publication brought to you by Energy Solutions Center published in cooperation with PRISM Media Group naturalLiving is published twice annually by PRISM Media Group 1321 Valwood Pkwy Ste 600 Carrollton TX 75006 Visit PRISM Media Group on the Web at www prismb2bmedia com No part of this publication may be reprinted without permission Copyright 2007 Energy Solutions Center DESC Energy Solut2. air thus preventing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning ering that vent free gas appliances are a smart and eco nomical answer for safe supplemental heating says Sue Walker chairman of the Vent Free Gas Products Alliance Manufacturers are investing more than ever in cutting edge designs and technological breakthroughs that are exceeding consumer expectations Finally keep in mind that older gas fired space heaters may not have the ODS mechanism so before you settle in for a chilly winter be sure you have a newer model naturalLiving I Fall Winter 05 Water Heaters Today s water heaters have more features and options than ever which translates into more choices for homeowners There are two types of water heating systems the most common is a conven tional tank system which stores and heats water in a tank until needed and a contin uous or tankless water heating system which has aa higher efficiency rating than any other conventional residential water heating system Tankless is about 25 to 28 percent more efficient and people love them because you never run out of hot water says Butch Aikens resource man ager for Rheem which makes tank and combined measurement of how much water is stored in the water heater and how quickly the water heater can heat cold water to the desired temperature Use this rating to compare hot water delivery capa bilities of similar models and determine the best u
3. I Ferter on Cos Rat aerate ois www rhpeterson com Temco Fireplace Prod mircea ee eae www temcofireplaces com Vermont Castings Majestic Products www majesticproducts com naturalLiving I Fall Winter By Matt Bolch Gas ovens preheat faster than electric ovens and reach baking temperature faster without using the broiler Photo courtesy of Maytag ince nine out of 10 chefs cook on a gas range shouldn t you From professional chefs to Wolfgang Puck and Rachael Ray wanna be s culinary craftsmen prefer the precise incremental control that natural gas provides In fact upwards of 80 percent of food preparation involves range burners Gas burners heat quickly and easily maintain their temperature whereas the eye of an electric range cycles on and off to maintain temperature Cooks can raise and lower the heat settings on both types of burners but only gas burners allow the cook to see the flame move in response to his actions Even when using the oven for cooking much of preparation starts on the stovetop says Sue Bailey manager of product development for major appliances at Viking Range Corp We all like to see that pretty blue flame and know that it s working Especially when simmering it s great to tweak the burner and see exactly how high the flame is In addition to that ubiquitous flame that provides precise temperature control cooking with gas offers superior energy efficiency and reliability over an
4. are available with heat output ratings considerably above or below standard Low heat burners allow precise control to simmer foods and prepare delicate dishes On the other end of the scale high speed burners make boiling faster and the preparation of foods in extra large pots and skillets easier Other rangetop options include sealed burners to keep spilled foods from leaking below the cooktop and a down draft ventilating fan built into the cooking surface that vents through a sidewall This type of rangetop construction is used in mod els that feature such options as a rotisserie griddle or extra set of burners A gas range is a serious investment so you should take the time necessary to assess how you cook both on the rangetop and in the oven then choose a model that matches your cook ing style closely A standard model may be perfect but a pre mium oven could save you time and money in the long run by offering a wider range of options Talk to friends and neigh bors about their cooking experiences and how they chose the oven for their kitchen Finally judge purchase costs against operating costs A higher priced gas oven may be more efficient than a lower priced one which will save you money on operating costs in the long run Spending a little more upfront actually could pay for itself during the long lifetime of a gas oven And remember the blue flame on the rangetop burner means that you re in control gscl 2 eae es
5. are especially conducive to the warmth of a free of colors to match your decor Available styles include standing gas stove contemporary colonial traditional mission art deco Advanced burner technology has helped manufacturers early American French country and many others Brushed metals and high gloss porcelain enamel in and glowing red embers that closely resemble a wood fire In dozens of colors are frequent design elements on gas tricately molded and hand painted logs that look like fresh cut stoves while granite marble or soapstone panels add textural interest develop gas stoves that feature large dancing yellow flames wood also improve this authentic wood like appearance In areas that experience power outages dur ing the winter a freestanding gas stove can give you piece of mind by being able to heat at least part of the house should an outage occur Stoves are Classified by the way they are vented top vent direct vent or vent free Within these classifications you can find a wide range of available sizes and heating capabilities Gas stoves can range from small to extremely large but choosing a size is based more on the amount of heat the stove needs to generate One key to se lecting the right stove is determining the desired heat level in the rooms that will require heat A gas stove must be installed a specific distance away from combustible materials such as drapes and doors but that distance can
6. electric range A typical gas burner can bring water to boiling about three percent faster than a comparable electric burner Plus if the electricity goes out you can still cook with a natural gas range Further gas ranges offer many great features including auto matic ignition self cleaning or continuous cleaning and smokeless broiling Gas ovens are naturally convective meaning warm air flows around food dur ing cooking but some manufacturers have introduced convection gas ovens that bake and broil faster than a conventional gas range Baking in a gas oven adds moisture to the food a moist baked chicken dinner or a succulent rib roast entr e is always better when it s prepared in a gas oven Another advantage of a gas oven Rangetop options include low heat burners for precise control and high speed burners which make boiling faster Photo courtesy of Viking is that it preheats faster which means less time hovering over the oven and wondering if the desired temperature has been reached And if you often put food in the oven while it s preheating gas ovens reach baking temperature faster than electric ovens with out using the broiler which could ruin food placed too close to the broiling area The most common type of gas range features four burners on top of an oven in a single unit but many other combinations are available to fit the cabinetry of your kitchen your cooking and baking habits and your taste Other pos
7. fire heat part of your house or both existing chimney though a flue liner or other modification may be necessary Vent free natural gas and propane fireplace inserts require no chimney or flue modification Manufactured gas log sets can be installed into existing fireplaces with few modifications except the addition of a gas line Log sets are a popular way to upgrade wood burning fire places so homeowners don t have to purchase wood store it scoop out ash and try to coax a fire out of reluctant logs on a cold day Gas logs which realistically mimic a wood flame and glowing embers are designed to mimic actual wood and are available in many varieties including oak birch man zanita pine and walnut Gas stoves fireplaces fireplace inserts and log sets offer a wide range of control options including manual controls remotes wall thermostats and remote thermostats Most offer blowers to help circulate the heat more efficiently Gas inserts and log sets can provide an alternative to existing wood burn ing fireplaces without the hassle of logs Gas stoves fireplaces inserts and log sets can burn either natural gas or propane Owning a gas hearth appliance isn t as expensive as homeowners think it is especially if they have gas on site Wheeler says Anytime Installation Although many gas hearth products are installed in new con struction or as part of a remodeling project that doesn t have to be the ca
8. www boschappliances com Fisher amp Paykel Appliances Inc www fisherpayKel com General EleCthic ns www geappliances com ISMEGINEINGIGl ene aE www kitchenaid com Maytag Customer Service www amana com Maytag Customer Service www maytag com Viking Range Corp a aaa www vikingrange com WARPO ura a S www whirlpool com naturally good Vegetable Frittata ved 4 Servings Ingredients Peas thinly sliced carrots and asparagus sliced on the bias Salt Pepper freshly ground Bacon diced Vegetable oil Onion yellow diced Eggs large KCD Eea To taste To taste SOS PS needed ea Oneal Boil or steam the vegetables until they are tender Drain well set aside Cook the bacon in an ovenproof nonstick or cast iron skillet over low heat until crisp 2 3 minutes Using a slotted spoon transfer the bacon bits to paper towels to drain then reserve Add vegetable oil to the bacon fat in the pan if needed to make 2 tablespoons Raise the heat to medium low and add the onion Cook Slowly stirring occasionally until translucent 8 10 minutes Add the vegetables and saute until lightly browned 8 10 minutes Try these simple delicious recipes more Meanwhile beat the eggs until blended and season with 2 teaspoon salt and 4 teaspoon pepper Pour them over the IgE iin the skier aiid acd tie Ghisp PACON wis te ine mixture stirring gently Preheat the broiler Keduce the heat to low cover the skillet
9. I Fall Winter UV Tar 4 y B a jr n ey i s lS frili 1 oe lt Et x i te jd gt zi y K Je 4 F i oe x lt lt 2 lt lt Traditional areas such as living rooms and bedrooms remain popular but more homeowners are installing hearth appliances in places where they were unheard of just a few years ago All photos courtesy of Hearth Patio amp Barbecue Association he harnessing of fire has long been heralded as the dawn of humanity for both cooking and heating Fortunately modern humans can stay warm with an enticing variety of gas hearth appliances designed to fit their lifestyles Gas appliances continue to evolve in terms of versatility and style says Leslie Wheeler director of communications at the Hearth Patio amp Barbecue Association a trade group for manufacturers distributors and re tailers What s better than turning on a gas log or fireplace with the flip of the switch to have great ambience According to the National Association of Realtors each fireplace in a home adds 12 percent to the home s value Current technology allows the addition of a gas fireplace without a flue making a fireplace a perfect addition at any time Gas hearth appliances offer the utility of warming just a room or an area of the home with a wide range of styles to fit into any d cor New fireplaces and s
10. and cook until the eggs are nearly set 6 8 minutes Remove the cover and place the skillet under the broiler to brown the eggs lightly about 3 minutes while watching carefully Cut into wedges and Sel Ve alOnce Recipes courtesy of The Viking Life www thevikinglife com Pear Galettes with Flaky Almond Crust ved o o senings Ingredients Slivered almond All purpose flour Sugar Kosher salt Bartlette pears ripe but firm Butter Brown sugar lightly packed Nutmeg grated I72 C p cup plus more for rolling I tbsp I 72 p Teach 3 DSP 2 OO Gr SO To make the crust place the slivered almonds flour sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal chopping Blade Pulse the processor V0 times to Mix well Add the cubed butter and pulse repeatedly until the butter is pea sized or smaller Ada the water while pulsing the processor 10 to 2 tore imes the dough will resemble coarse meal Turn out the dough onto a length of plastic wrap and press firmly into a 6 inch disk Wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least hour before rolling While the dough is chilling peel the pears and cut them in half Use a melon baller or teaspoon measure to scoop out the Seeds amd tae stem slice the pears ime mali moons about 17S inch thick Heat the butter in a large heavy skillet over a medium DUmMeR When te putter has melted add tie diced pears aiid Sugar Cook over medium heat for five to seven minut
11. ant to have dinner or enjoy a treat a little sooner Because heat from convection ovens enters the cooking box from the top racks within the oven may need to be lowered Low temperature ovens feature heat ranges as low as 140 de grees to thaw foods and keep prepared dishes hot without drying them out prior to serving Programmable ovens allow timed or delayed cooking for chefs on the go A cold oven can be programmed to heat up at a spec ified time cook for a preset number of minutes and then either shut off or lower the temperature to a warming setting An in use oven can be programmed to shut off after a set period of time Keeping clean is as important within the oven box as it is in the rest of the kitchen Ovens are available as either con tinuous cleaning or self cleaning As the name implies con tinuous cleaning works at normal baking and broiling temperatures to remove baked on materials through the addi tion of catalytic materials into the porcelain enamel coating of the oven walls or liner panels Operating the oven at higher temperatures will remove food debris faster Self cleaning ovens work during a separate high heat cycle that can reach 1 000 degrees reducing oven debris to a white ash that can be removed with a damp cloth Innovations to gas ranges haven t been limited to the oven Cook top options can expand a cook s repertoire give him more control over the cooking process and speed clean ups Burners
12. at many homeowners are eager to avoid We ve definitely seen an increase in demand especially as the cost has come down in recent years and generators have become more affordable says Troy Blewett of Briggs amp Stratton Pricing now is about 3 000 to 5 000 without installation That s worth it to many people Today s backup generators are often called standby genera tors because they re literally standing by when your main power goes out turning on automatically when you need it Smaller portable units are also available which run on gas and are often used by campers homeowners and contractors who need an extra source of power for recreation or work but it s the installed units that most homeowners want The demand for standby units has really started to kick Suppliers report surging sales of compact efficient backup standby genera tors which help homeown in over the past five years says ers stay powered during Blewett Even in new con struction they re starting to outages Photo courtesy of Briggs amp Stratton become a regular part of the home just like an air condi tioning unit B Learn how desiccants can improve air quality and help your family breathe easier By Amy E Lemen oure home after a long day Time to relax and breathe a little easier Or not Truth be told the air in side your home is probably worse than it is outside smog and allergens i
13. be as little as four home construction or remodeling your architect or builder nance costs also should be factored into your hearth appli can help you determine the best location in each room foran ance purchasing decision Ultimately though adding to the appliance A specialty hearth retailer is your best resource to beauty comfort style and value of your home begins with the show you the variety of products available discuss your selection of a new gas hearth appliance heating needs and help you make the best choice based on your appliance preferences decorating goals and budget Before actually purchasing a hearth appliance you should assess your needs and do a little homework to narrow your choices In addition to a building professional or specialty retailer you can find a wealth of ideas on the Internet or in the fall winter issues of home and lifestyle magazines The first consideration should be where an ap pliance will be located Another factor should be how the unit will be used Operating and mainte For Additional Information BUEK Stove COD AS irae ee ee www buckstovecorp com Fireplace Products Imi Lid POT ee tere www regency fire com Gas Products Co INC ten eae www gasproductscompany com Harmar Stove CO a er eee www harmanstoves com Hear N GIOS a a E a eet es or www heatnglo com EERNOX eure ae ee eo eae www lennoxhearthproducts com Napoleon Fireplaces 25552223 22 www napoleonfireplaces com Robert
14. d 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 itll 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 Boiler Basics Need closet space New energy efficient boilers are hot 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 isnt taking up that closet you wanted to use as hobb
15. e 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 I 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 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 ol
16. es stirring occasionally or until the pears have released their liquid and most of the liquid has cooked away Turn the sliced pears out onto a baking sheet to cool to room temperature Prehedial oven to 550 FE kenmove tne doug Mom Me refrigerator Roll the dough out into a circle about 14 inches in diameter flouring as necessary Next use a large plate or pan lid and a paring knife to trim the circle to about 13 inches Place the dough on a parchment lined baking sheet Slaning aboul one Inch ion he edge of the dough atange the largest slices of pear tm a saingled eircle with tre curved edge facing outward Continue to overlap the slices grad ually working your way into the center of the circle with the small est slices of pear To finish the Galette fold the outer edge over to double its width and finish by pinching at regular intervals or by crimping lightly with a fork to make a decorative pattern Bake ite galente in te center ef ie Oven or 40 miltiics OF Unie dough is Golden Mound tide edges kemove tie galette from the oven and allow it to cool completely before Slicing and serving Serve with sweetened whipped cream or creme fralche
17. hy You re not trying to heat the room like in a typical forced air system but the things in it so its a much more efficient use of energy O4 naturalLiving I Fall Winter Snow Melt The same radiant technology used to heat floors is also used outside in snow melt systems that are essential to getting around on those mornings when overnight ice and snow make long driveways treacherous It takes about 30 BTUs per square foot per hour to heat the inside of a home says Chiles Outside you need 300 BTUs per square foot per hour In urban and remote areas it s about safety and it has definitely become a erowth industry especially with Baby Boomers Snow melt systems can be installed underneath drive Blue Flame Space Heaters Blue flame space heaters are just what the name suggests space heaters that give off a sapphire blue flame which heats the air around people and objects for atmospheric warmth Most have controls on the unit that are simple to oper ate Just push a button to ignite the pilot light no matches needed and the heater begins to instantly warm the room or area They re a good option when it doesn t make sense to crank up a whole house heating system or to add a lit tle extra heating oomph to a room that doesn t get quite as warm as the rest of the house Most of the new blue flame space heaters are vent free working much like a central heating system Because they re ventles
18. ions Center PRISM Media Group President Ray Larson COO Virginia Larson CFO Jim Heffel Editorial Director Mario Medina Production Manager Shannon Thornton Graphic Design Cindy Pater Barbara Sutton Tc Ne Heat Is On Discover how the right gas fired heating equipment can keep temperatures higher and translate into big savings ant to turn this winter into a cozy lower cost season 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 By Amy E Lemen 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 r
19. m humidity level for controlling bacteria viruses and dust mites is between 40 and 60 percent Living in a house with just 50 percent relative humidity means living in a home where health and allergy issues related to mold and dust mites are dramatically decreased That s because mold can t grow in homes with 50 percent humidity and dust mites can t repro duce it s their waste that triggers allergy problems People tend to crank up the air conditioner when it s hot and sticky in the house Janke says You don t have to do that with a desiccant system because it controls the humidity If you live in a high humidity area then you understand and probably detest that sticky clammy feeling High humidity causes us to feel hotter so we lower the temperature on our air condi tioner and then we get cold so we start the up down thermo stat war Less relative humidity means the house stays drier your air conditioner doesn t have to work as hard and everyone breathes easier A desiccant system operates independent of your home s AC system so it operates only when the moisture level in your home goes over the unit s setting Homeowners end up feeling comfortable at higher temperatures and that can save money on energy bills says Janke Contact your local natural gas company or a heating and air conditioning contractor to discuss the installation of a desiccant unit in your home E naturalLiving
20. ncluded The Environmental Pro tection Agency EPA has estimated that indoor air is up to 10 times worse than the air we breathe outside Given those kinds of statistics homeowners nationwide are more interested than ever in breathing easier The good news is that more man ufacturers and building suppliers are designing products that can help us all take a deep healthy breath Take desiccants for example That s what s in those little pack ets found in everything from pill bottles to pillowcases essen tially minerals like silica gel calcium sulfate and other substances that act as natural dehumidifiers removing moisture from the air pills or even pillowcases Ever seen rice inside salt shakers at restaurants Rice is a low tech desiccant and it s there to make sure that moisture doesn t make the salt clump when you re try ing to shake it on French fries When used as part of your home s heating and air conditioning system desiccants help remove mois ture in the air improving your home s indoor air quality A desiccant unit can take a house s relative humidity down to 45 to 50 percent helping homeowners avoid a whole host of pathogens says Scott Janke of Novelaire the only manufacturer of residential gas fired desiccant systems Indoor air quality has always been a big issue and this alleviates a lot of the problems ASHRE a nationally recognized engineering association states that the optimu
21. nit for your household For example a Maytag 40 gallon electric water heater has an FHR of 50 gallons at 3800 watts or 58 gallons at 5500 watts A comparable Maytag gas water heater has an FHR of 73 gallons for a power vent model and 81 gallons for a standard model Look for the EnergyGuide Label which lists the first hour rating in the top left cor ner as Capacity Finally think about how tankless models They cost more but for long it will take most people it s about the features and for the water benefits they get with it heater to re When selecting a water heater con cover and be sider the first hour rating FHR to properly ready for the size a storage water heater or select the next shower model of a tankless unit The FHR is the should it run amount of hot water the water heater can out of hot supply in the first hour of operation Itsa water Backup Generators Given the volatile weather of the past five years its not surprising that the sale of backup power generators to homeowners has in creased In fact a 2006 study found that half of those who lived in hurricane prone states essentially the entire Gulf Coast about nine million households expected to lose power at least once dur ing each hurricane season Add to that the power loss from downed power lines during snowstorms ice storms and tornados and you re looking at a O6 naturalliving I Fall Winter power loss scenario th
22. s each unit is required to include an oxygen depletion sensor ODS that shuts the unit off if there isn t enough fresh air to avoid the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning According to the Vent Free Gas Products Al liance all U S gas code groups and 49 states as well as British Columbia Manitoba Alberta and Saskatchewan allow the sale and installation of vent free appliances Homeowners throughout the United States are discov The snow melt system underneath this driveway uses natural gas to heat a water Glycol or antifreeze mix which is then pushed a through tubing under neath the driveway easily melting away snow and ice Photo courtesy of Watts Radiant ways sidewalks patios carports and more basically any where there s a concrete slab Like radiant floors they use hydronic water heating systems melting ice and snow by circulating a gas heated solution usually antifreeze and water through tubing underneath Its about safety to be sure but its also about aesthetics for homeowners whose driveways are decorative or stamped concrete You can t get ice out from between those cracks and you can t shovel it says Chiles A snow melt system gets rid of ice safely without the risk of cracking the surface Most new blue flame space heaters are vent free and feature sensors that shut off the unit if there isnt enough fresh
23. se Depending on the model you choose the heat generated and local building codes gas hearth appliances are appropriate for every room in the house even bathrooms and kitchens Be sure to have an experienced hearth installer put in your gas log set or fireplace If you re thinking of adding hearth appliances as part of new Q naturalLiving I Fall Winter Freestanding stoves are the most versa tile hearth product and are available in a wide variety of sizes colors and styles for diverse decorating tastes Stoves heat quickly and many feature ceramic glass view ing areas to offer a glimpse of flames Freestanding Stoves What s better than turning on a gas log or fireplace with the flip of the switch to have great ambience For increased energy efficiency in your home and the am inches depending on the type of stove bience of a cozy fire a freestanding gas stove is a perfect fit If you haven t visited a hearth retailer recently you A versatile freestanding gas stove can be installed in owe it to yourself to check out the wide variety of sizes nearly any room for added warmth on a cold winters day and styles of freestanding gas stoves The appliances can which would allow you to lower the thermostat in the rest be constructed of steel stone or cast iron with porcelain of the house Living rooms kitchens and other gathering enamel finishes and high temperature paint in an array places
24. sibilities include a dou ble oven a gas range with overhead microwave oven slide in models with unfinished sides that slide between cabinets drop in models installed inside base cabinets separate oven and cook top that are built into the kitchen and commercial models with an even wider range of options Many homeowners are upgrading to ovens with stainless steel or chrome plated exteriors which are durable stain resist ant and easy to clean However the finishes of such units can discolor if overheated Porcelain enamel is the tried and true fin ish durable and resistant to heat stains acids scratches fading and yellowing Baked enamel or electrostatically applied poly ester resists chipping better than porcelain enamel but is less durable so it can stain and scratch more easily Of course the style and finish of your range is important to the overall look of the kitchen but advances in cooktop and oven technology have brought advanced products to the market that can speed cooking times warm at low temperatures and add con venience to the cooking process Convection ovens use forced air to cook foods faster at tem A typical gas burner can bring water to boiling faster than a comparable elec tric burner Photo courtesy of Maytag peratures 25 to 50 degrees below a conventional oven Cooking times and temperatures on favorite recipes will need to be tweaked to handle convection oven cooking but who doesn t w
25. to room even upstairs As radiant flooring gets less expensive and there are more options and styles it s really exploding in popularity even in places like Texas and Florida says Dan Chiles from Watts Radiant in Springfield Mo It s a dash of color We encourage Instead of using forced air radiant floors heat objects in the room spread ing warmth through out and adding a designer touch with a splash of red color Snow melt systems use the same technol ogy to melt ice off driveways and other slippery surfaces Photo courtesy of Watts Radiant people to see it with a designer s eye because it s getting so much more sophisticated It s also a more efficient way to heat an area or even an entire home Gas powered radiant systems consist of tubes installed under a slab or if you re replacing existing flooring under the floor A small circulator acting as a pump pushes heated water through the tubes essentially heating objects in the area and mak ing them warm to the touch The re sult is that when you sit down on that normally cold as ice in winter leather couch to watch a football game it s actually warm It s a whole different heating phi losophy says Chiles You re not trying to heat the room like in a typical forced air system but the things in it so it s a much more efficient use of energy Radiant floor heating is a different heating philosop
26. toves have a contemporary modern look that certainly ap peals to Gen Xers and Gen Yers something trendy and more contemporary Wheeler says With the push of a button the instant dancing flame and heat of gas hearth appliances enchant these consumers Options Abound Gas hearth appliances include fireplaces fireplace inserts gas logs and freestand ing gas stoves Modern fireplaces are engineered as a firebox enclosed within a steel cabinet Air circulates between the inner and outer boxes transferring the heat to your room while keeping the outer wall relatively cool This construction allows installation close to the wood framing in new construction or remodeling Compared to a site built fireplace factory built systems are inexpensive to purchase and install They use a safe lightweight chimney or no chimney at all and do not need the additional structural support required for a masonry chimney They can be easily and safely in stalled in almost any room Fireplace inserts are as the name implies inserted into an existing masonry or factory built fireplace to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact A fireplace insert is essentially the same as a freestanding stove except it uses an naturalLiving I Fall Winter 09 The amount of heat output and level of ornateness of appliances can vary widely so matching a hearth appliance to its intended use is important Do you want to watch a pretty
27. y storage You can do a lot more in a smaller space with these says Ken Niemi of Burnham Hydronics a manufacturer of several new mod con boiler products Beyond energy efficiency customers are looking for smaller size and aesthetics The latest high efficiency boilers are sleeker and smaller than in the past meaning homeowners don t necessarily need utility rooms to hide unsightly equip ment Photo courtesy of Burnham naturalLiving I Fall Winter 03 natural choices Heating and Power Options for Your Home Want to reduce your utility bills Find out how radiant floor heaters snow melt systems blue flame space heaters water heaters and backup generators can help syamye temen here s an incredible variety of money saving products to choose from when it comes to home heating and power options Whether you re looking for a whole house heating system a convenient way to get rid of treacher ous ice and snow an efficient water heater or a system to ensure your family has power in the event of a weather emergency there are many popular and energy efficient options Radiant Floor Heating Wouldn t it be wonderful to feel warmth and comfort throughout your home without air blowing into the room or without looking at an unsightly radiator Homeowners are discovering how radiant floor heating systems which are all but invisible can maintain constant temperatures from room
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