Andrews Mechanical

Office Phone: 509-489-3860

Heating

There are as many heating solutions as there are opportunities for heating. Andrews Mechanical, Inc provides a broad choice of these solutions to fit your specific need. We offer choices for the new home owner or to refit the old heating system; an appropriate commercial heating device, or an economical method for heating your industrial building.

RADIANT: This method seems to be one of the most popular systems with new home builders and owners lately. We have treated this area separately on the 'RADIANT' page of this web site. Have a look!

FURNACE SYSTEM: This still remains the primary system of new installations for the majority of contractors which uses natural gas, electric or other fuel. A furnace works by drawing air inside a heat exchanger, where it is warmed with a flame of natural gas, propane or fuel oil, or with heated electric coils. A blower sends the warmed air through the house via metal ducts; it enters the room through a register or grill in the floor or wall. Indoor air is circulated continuously through the system, so a furnace filter is used to contain dust, pollen and other airborne particles.

ELECTRIC HEAT PUMP: Another home heating option is an electric heat pump. This unit works by moving existing heat from one area to another in one of three ways:

* Air-to-air: An condenser absorbs heat from the outdoor air (even the coldest air contains some heat) and transfers it to an indoor heat exchanger inside the home. Indoor air is warmed in the heat exchanger and circulated throughout the home. During the summer, the process is reversed to cool and dehumidify the home.

* Water-to-air: Instead of extracting heat from outside air, this type of pump absorbs heat from ground water or surface water, such as a farm pond.

* Ground-to-air: Also known as a geothermal system, this type of heat pump uses underground loops to absorb heat from the earth. Geothermal systems are usually installed in newly-built homes, but can also be used in existing home.

One advantage of a heat pump is that it provides both heating and cooling capabilities in one unit. Electric heat pumps are usually supplemented with a backup system, such as radiant floor heaters or baseboard units (see below), in case of extended periods of extreme temperatures. Heat pumps also use filters to reduce airborne particles and keep the unit clean.

BOILER SYSTEM: Heating the medium (water, ethelyne glycol, etc) by various means and then using the same medium to heat the surrounding environment is an ancient method that is updated by the latest in technology. Heating boilers by LAARS or HydroTherm can give you excellent performance and great efficiency to make your living space more comfortable. Andrews Mechanical, Inc can supply you with the system and perform the necessary Combustion Analysis and Water Condtioning services to ensure the best performance and long life of your system.

ELECTRIC RESISTANCE: Electric resistance heating, usually found in the form of baseboard heaters, was popular during the 1940s and 1950s, and is often used in multi-family dwelling like apartment houses. A baseboard unit has an electric heating element encased in metal pipe. Air warmed by the heating unit rises to the top of the room, and cooler air is drawn into the bottom of the heater. Each unit has a separate thermostat to allow for different temperatures in each room.