Archive for February, 2013

New Hampshire Heating Guide: Where Is My Boiler Leaking From?

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Boiler leaks are not always obvious. Often, they occur in places that are difficult to access or hidden by covers. Consulting your boiler technician is the first step to repairing a leaking system. For over 20 years, HB Energy Solutions has installed, repaired and serviced boilers. If you think your boiler might be leaking, call us today.

Boiler problems can be tricky for homeowners to detect. After all, sometimes the only indication a boiler leaks is a drop in system pressure. But this may occur at such a slow rate that it’s nearly undetectable. When it’s particularly slow, there can be little trace, for small amounts of leaked water evaporate on the hot piping. At times of high usage during the winter months, leaks may be more noticeable because the total system pressure is at its peak rate throughout the year.

Calling in your local New Hampshire boiler expert is the first step to ensuring the longevity of your boiler system. If there are problems with your system, it is important to repair them as soon as possible. There are a few things an expert boiler technician may do to determine where that leak in your boiler system is coming from:

  • Comprehensive system inspection. Unless the affected component or area is obvious, there is no substitute for the discriminating eyes of a professional. They’ll check your hot water piping, boiler, controls, valves, circulator pumps, piping elbows, baseboards, and radiators to look for evidence of mineral depositing, which may indicate a leak.
  • Water supply shut-off.  Temporarily shutting off the water from the boiler allows the boiler technician to monitor the resulting pressure.
  • Thermography. If all else fails, there are certain technologically-advanced measures to take, like using thermography cameras, which can detect abnormally hot points in the system. This can help pinpoint the location of hard-to-find leaks.

If your boiler is no longer working as it once did, or if you have noticed pressure loss over the past few weeks or months, your system may have a leak. HB Energy Solutions are only a call away. Contact us today for more information about boiler repair in New Hampshire.

Southern Vermont Tank vs. Tankless Water Heater Guide: Which Is Best For You?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

HB Energy Solutions installs tank and tankless water heaters in Southern Vermont and throughout the region. Installing a new water heater is a big investment, and you want to choose the right water heater so that you get the most out of your new investment.

While tankless models do not have standby losses, there are many benefits to installing a new high-efficiency tank water heater. If you are looking to save energy and money on heating the water in your home, there are plenty of Energy Star water heaters that can save energy without having to upgrade to a tankless model. If you aren’t sure what the efficiency ratings mean, call one of our home energy experts to go over the different ratings with you.

If you are considering a tankless water heater, there are a few factors to consider. The type of fuel used to heat your home is one of these factors. Having an existing gas line will reduce the installation costs. In addition, installing a tankless model will depend on where the existing connection is located in your home. If your home is heated with electricity, then you can install an electric tankless water heater in a variety of places in the home, even under the sink models, since there’s no need for ventilation or gas line connection.

The size of your home and your hot water needs are other factors to consider. If you have a smaller home, tankless models may have enough capacity for all the hot water applications in the home because there’s no tank holding the hot water. For larger homes, you may need a larger capacity, which can be obtained with the right sized tank water heater.

If you have questions or would like to speak with one of our Southern Vermont water heater experts, call HB Energy Solutions any time.

Pellet Stoves vs. Wood Stoves: Which is Superior?

Monday, February 11th, 2013

For Southern Vermont homeowners that are interested in switching from oil or natural gas, pellet and wood burning stoves are a great option. But which one is more efficient and which one has the fewest emissions? At HB Energy we specialize in alternative fuels for homeowners that are seriously interested in reducing the amount of energy that their homes use. We wanted to put together quick comparison to give homeowners a good starting place as they start thinking about switching fuel sources.

What Are Wood Pellets?

So what exactly are wood pellets? Sawmills and other wood working businesses produce a huge amount of waste wood shavings and saw dust. Normally, those would be thrown away in a landfill. Wood pellets are made from that waste material by compacting them under high pressure. The wood shavings are pressed into a small, pill-shaped mass that can then be used to fuel wood pellet stoves.

Pellet Stoves: Pros and Cons

Wood pellet stoves offer extremely high efficiency and BTU output when compared to wood burning stoves. In almost every instance, the pellet stoves provide greater efficiency and higher head output per unit of fuel consumed. However, pellet stoves require electricity, though, not a lot of it. But if the power goes out then you can’t use your pellet stove. Additionally, wood pellets are not available in all places and in the event of a natural disaster if you can’t acquire any pellets then you can’t heat your home.

Wood Burning Stoves: Pros and Cons

One of the best pros for wood burning stoves is that its fuel source is readily available. You can find wood pretty much anywhere and if you have trees on your property they can be used to for fuel as well. However, wood burning stoves are much less efficient than pellet stoves and they also require more fuel to produce a similar amount of heat. But wood burning stoves don’t require any electricity to run so if the power goes out your home will still be comfortable.

If you have any questions about wood burning stoves or pellet burning stoves in Southern Vermont, call the experts at HB Energy.

The Facts About Wind Power: A New Hampshire Green Energy Guide

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Sometimes it seems like the cost of energy just keeps rising. This can make operating electricity-powered equipment a challenge, especially when the budget is a little tight. As more and more attention is given to climate change, reducing environmental impact and other eco-friendly movements you may find yourself looking for a way to reduce your dependence on power sources such as electricity. If you are in the New Hampshire area and are really interested in reducing your energy costs and environmental impact, call HB Energy Solutions. We have all the facts you need to decide if residential or commercial wind power is right for you.

Most homeowners think that their residential power needs are too small for wind power. Many small commercial businesses think the same. This could not be further from the truth. For the environmentally minded consumer wind power is a great solution to a big carbon footprint and even bigger energy bills.

HB Energy Solutions offers exceptional wind power system installation, maintenance and repair services. We are also a qualified SkyStream 3.7 and Windspire dealer. We are proud to provide these systems to home and business owners throughout the area and we stand by their quality every bit as much as we stand by the quality of our work.

Windspire turbines stand only 30 feet tall, making them ideal for either urban or rural areas. Because Windspires come as a complete system they make a great addition for consumers just entering into the world of wind power. Their durability and innovative design also help minimize service needs. Energy is created with vertical airfoils, creating up to 2,000 kWh a year. Remember, certain average wind levels are necessary for these systems to operate efficiently and effectively. In this case 11 mph average winds will suffice.

Creating energy with wind turbines and converting that energy to electricity is an innovative, eco-friendly way to power your home or business. Of course this technology requires a professional installation and expert service to operate properly. If you are interested in harnessing the power of the wind to make your residence or commercial property greener, call HB Energy Solutions. We have the answers to all your questions regarding the facts about wind power.