Baseboarders do-it-yourself baseboard heater covers changed the face of baseboard radiation. The original Premium design features covers filled with small perforations. This prevents small children from being able to touch hot elements, while allowing better airflow to and from a heater. The attract…
How to Connect PEX to Faucets and Toilets
PEX tubing can simplify potable water plumbing installations, while providing added freeze resistance, hot/cold color coding, and a reduced risk of pinhole leaks. PEX's flexibility reduces the need for fitting connections, which can greatly cut down on installation time. There are sever…
Control Honeywell Thermostats Online
Remote access to thermostats gives users the ability to monitor HVAC equipment and make adjustments when they are away from the home or building. This can be ideal for vacation homes, landlords, or simply people who want the ability to change heating and cooling settings before arriving home. Hon…
Methods of Heat Transfer
Although many people assume that heat simply rises, it actually travels from warmer areas to colder areas in one of three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction transfers heat through physical contact, as warmer molecules shift their energy to colder ones. Convective heat transfer o…
Expansion Tanks: What Are They and Why Are They Important?
When water is heated, it expands, increasing the pressure in closed heating systems. Over time, these pressure fluctuations can damage the system's components. An expansion tank is designed to alleviate this pressure and extend the life of your system. Here's how it works. Homeowners looking …
Benefits of Pipe Insulation
Insulating pipes provides many advantages in a variety of fluid distribution systems. See below for a list of common applications. SupplyHouse.com carries K-Flex Insul-Lock pipe insulation. Insul-Lock comes in 6-foot lengths for pipes with outside diameters ranging from 1/2" to 4-1/8". We offer Insu…
Control Temperatures and Save Energy with Zoned Heating Systems
A zoned heating system allows greater control over heat distribution in the house. You can turn up the heat just where you need it, just when you need it—resulting in significant savings on your utility bills. Need some convincing? Read on to learn more about the benefits of zoned heating. …
Where there is air
Air is the enemy in a hydronic (hot-water) heating system. It blocks their flow to the radiators. It rattles around and annoys customers. It wastes fuel by making our systems less efficient (no heat from an air-bound radiator). It causes callbacks and it makes us look bad. That's why every hydronic …
Snow Melting with PEX
PEX tubing creates a wide-range of options for hydronic heating. When installed outdoors, you can use PEX to melt snow and ice. Some snow melt systems keep critical areas, (hospital entrances, etc.) clear, while others just save homeowners the effort of shoveling a driveway or walkway. Snow melt …
Can PEX Tubing Freeze?
PEX tubing has the ability to expand and return to its original shape. This makes PEX more freeze-resistant than traditional rigid pipe (copper, galvanized, etc.). Still, PEX is not freeze-proof. A PEX line can burst if fluid freezes in it. Freezing tends to be more of a concern in PEX plumbing in…
DIY Radiant Heat Panel
If you’re looking for an easy way to install do-it-yourself hydronic radiant heating, consider Uponor’s Radiant Ready 30E panel. The pre-assembled unit includes almost everything you’d need to set up a complete system: 9 kW electric boiler, 5-loop manifold (Uponor EP), 3-speed circulator pump …
Increase Your Comfort Level This Winter With a Humidifier
In the winter months, when heating systems are really chugging away, indoor air can become dry and staticky. A whole-house humidifier is a great way to add back a little moisture. Here are the basics. Scratchy throats, frequent nosebleeds, dry skin, and static electricity can be common occurrence…
