PROTECT YOUR HOME WITH HOME GUARD

As homeowners, we are constantly trying to improve the condition of our homes.  One way that we can be certain our home stays that way is with the Home Guard.   Home Guard is a device that will call at least two telephone numbers to alert you of falling temperatures or power outages.  

This is important because when your heating system is not operating, your water pipes can freeze causing extensive damage to your home.  Home Guard is simple to set up, and gives you peace of mind. Call us at Gary and Sons for details.

 LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

Protect Your Home

Vent Free vs Direct Vent

Outdoor Furnace Regulations

Wood Burning Tips

Vent Free vs. Direct-Vent Gas Appliances

SHOULD I PURCHASE A VENTED OR VENT-FREE APPLIANCE?

Vent Free appliances are the best choice for people who are looking for the maximum return on their dollar. These units are normally 99.9% efficient, they require no extra venting materials and they are designed to operate safely in any home. They utilize open combustion meaning they use indoor combustion air and the fire does not have to be sealed behind a glass window. With a fire screen added for protection, these units reveal a natural live burn that many customers seek. Vent-free products tend to emit a certain amount of water vapor into the home’s atmosphere. This can have a positive effect for homes that experience the dry indoor air syndrome normally associated with the winter heating season.

Direct Vent appliances are the best choice for people looking more for aesthetics and not so much energy efficiency. Why would somebody choose to give up efficiency? The most obvious reason would be to be able to have their appliance lit, entertain guests but not overheat the room. Newer and tightly sealed home owners should lean toward the direct- vent line of appliances because of their utilization of outdoor combustion air. Direct Vent appliances are normally a little higher priced because of their sealed combustion design and they do require venting either through a wall, ceiling, roof and/or chimney.

If interested in either of these designs; whether it is a Stove, a Zero-Clearance Fireplace, or a Masonry Fireplace Insert, give us a call or stop in our showroom to talk with one of our professional consultants. We have the experience to help you in making a decision that you will enjoy for many years to come. We also have professional installation crews that can install your system and give you peace of mind that it was installed correctly.

NEW OUTDOOR FURNACE REGULATIONS

As your local Heating and Cooling professionals, Gary & Sons is here to help you make informed decisions regarding your heating and cooling needs. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is taking part in this process by enforcing new regulations that steer your choice of outdoor wood boilers toward those that are EPA Phase 2 qualified.  After May 31st 2011, all outdoor wood boilers sold in Pennsylvania must meet EPA Phase 2 qualifications for emissions levels. 

The Pennsylvania DEP’s goal in setting these new regulations are in an effort to reduce health impacts, air emissions, and nuisances while setting realistic objectives for the manufacturers. Neighbors will appreciate these new regulations with the reduction of both visible and invisible pollutants.  Plus, you won’t be sharpening your saw blade nearly as much, because you’ll be burning significantly less wood.

We’ll help you follow applicable state and local regulations, and we can complete any part of the installation for you.

Visit our showroom to see many of the Central Boiler Outdoor Furnaces on display and witness the E-Classic 2400 model comfortably heating 8,000 square feet.

Do you burn firewood?

Here are some tips from Energy King to help make things a little easier.

• Only buy from reputable suppliers. Talk to other wood-burners and ask for references to make sure that your supplier is reputable.

• Know what kind of wood you are getting. Each type of wood burns differently and has different BTU outputs.

• Use a moisture meter to make sure the wood you've received is properly seasoned. If it's green, or has a higher moisture content than 20% - 25%, you'll need to allow it time to dry before it can be burned.

• Make sure you purchase enough wood to last the whole season. Wood consumption will vary based on many factors, including the type of wood and its moisture content, your chimney and draft settings, how often you use your wood-burning heating appliance, how warm you keep your home, and the outside temperatures. If this is your first season burning wood and you are unsure about how much wood to buy, talk to your (reputable) supplier or your local chimney and woodstove professionals; they should be able to help you estimate how much wood you'll need.

• A cord, a face-cord, and a rick are different "measures" that you will encounter, and it's important to know the difference:

  • Cord: the volume of wood in a 4' x 4' x 8' space (128 cubic feet). The wood should be stacked so it is touching, in neat rows with as few gaps as possible. This is the standardized measure for firewood.

  • Face-cord: generally considered as a 4' x 8' row of wood, with each piece about 16" - 18" long

  • Rick: generally considered as a 4' x 8' row of wood of varying lengths. The varying lengths make it difficult to compare a rick to a full cord.

  In general, it's best to buy wood in units that can be compared to the standard cord. Avoid "truckloads" and other subjective measures.

• Take the time to stack the wood, or have it stacked by the deliverer, before you pay for it. That way you can make sure you are paying for the actual volume of wood you received.

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