Central Heating As A Part Of Our Lives

The concept of central heating dates back to the rudimentary hypocaust system of ancient Rome that used hot air and flue gases travelling upward through wall cavities to provide heat for an inside space. However, it has not been until the last century or so that technological advances have added efficiencies and more availability to the mix.

Central heating systems for home use have evolved dramatically. At one time coal burning furnaces heated water either to circulate through a number of connected radiators to bring warmth to rooms remote from the furnace location, or to create steam to accomplish the same purpose. Then as natural gas pipe lines were built, natural gas displaced coal as fuel. In some cases, oil replaced coal. Natural gas and oil are still used as fuels for home heating systems.

Electric Central Heating Systems

Electric central heating has not been used nearly as much as natural gas, although that may change. The need for well insulated, energy efficient housing started gaining greater recognition after the oil shortages of the early 1970′s. For quite some time after that, use of electricity to heat a home was limited by its high operating cost because using electricity required using an electric resistance furnace in a forced air system. Such a furnace blows air across a thick, glowing wire, to create warm air. It is quite inefficient. However, new technology using electricity more efficiently is constantly coming to market, making electricity a very efficient alternative to natural gas.

Central Heating Installation

Central heating installation takes place at the construction site but planning begins with the architect and engineer. A system distributes heat. It does this by means of duct work in a forced air system, or pipes in a hot water or steam system. The duct work is connected to a furnace while the pipes attach to a boiler. A gas furnace has a burner with numerous flames of burning gas that heat the air as it passes over and through them in a forced air system, while in a hot water or steam system, fuel is burned to heat water, which passes through pipes to a radiator, or it creates steam to do the same thing. Duct work is typically run through interior wall cavities to strategically placed outlets. Pipes for a system using a boiler also are easy to conceal and lead to a radiator, or to radiant tubes concealed in a sub floor, to warm indoor living spaces.

Central heating boilers available now are smaller than previous models and use fuel–gas or oil–more efficiently. Central heating radiators for use with such boilers may be the vertical, iron style that has been in use over a hundred years, or they may be a copper tube with closely space, thin metal fins attached to distribute heat. The latter style intrudes less into a room space, weighs less and is easier to handle than a traditional style radiator.

Gas Central Heating

Gas central heating, particularly a forced air system, is the most widespread system in the United States. A forced air system circulates air through a vertical furnace. The air is heated by the burner and passes through duct work to the various rooms of the house. Forced air furnaces that can achieve 96% efficiency by rapidly cycling off and on are available for this type system. A gas fired central heating system may also use a boiler to create hot water or steam which moves through a system of radiators to heat rooms.

Newer building techniques that take advantage of the sun as a source of heat are being used more often on a wider front than ever before. The economic and environmental advantages of this approach are numerous. However, despite increasingly higher levels of thermal efficiency in building and new technologies to make use of sunlight for heating, it is quite likely that there will always be a need for a central heating system in public and private buildings.

Victorian Radiators Add A Touch Of Class To Your Home

Whether you already own an old cast iron radiator that you want restored or you want to buy a reproduction or an already restored Victorian radiator, many companies specialize in this field and will give you expert advice. The Internet is a good place to start as most companies now have an online presence and you can see photographs of the different styles of central heating radiators available.

Victorian radiators can date back to the 1830s, yet they are compatible with modern central heating systems – all you need to establish is the position and size of the valves you require (either 15mm or 22mm). The sectional design is aesthetically pleasing, which is why many people choose Victorian radiators as a style statement for their home; in recent years they have been a popular interior design trend.

Old cast iron radiators were made in a variety of shapes and sizes, which made them highly functional as they could fit into small, awkward spaces allowing people to heat any area. The circular radiators in particular are ornate and beautifully detailed.

To restore an old radiator, the specialist will firstly remove any old fittings, and then flush out the radiator before it is sandblasted back to bare cast iron. New reducing bushes are then fitted, which are compatible with the chosen valves. A pressure test is done next up to 4 bar pressure. The seals on the gaskets and bleeds are inspected, and then the radiator is ready to be spray painted in a color of your choice or hand polished to a high pewter finish. Most restoration companies have standard colors in stock (such as black, bronze and cream) but will be happy to paint your radiator any color you request (for an additional cost), provided you give them the paint code.

If you opt for a reproduction of a Victorian radiator you will achieve the same basic design, but many critics feel that they lack the elegance and quality of the original radiators. A reproduction allows you to specify exactly what you want, for example a reproduction of an American Radiator Company 1890s model with decorative vines, lions, dragons and cherubs, or a copy of a steam radiator dating from France in the 1890s with an intricate daisy design.

From neo-classic to princess, art deco to duchess, there are so many varieties to choose from and whatever you pick you can be sure that you will have a piece for your home which is both functional and stylish.