OIL-FIRE HEATING Ducted Air To Every Room

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 8

OIL-FIRE HEATING Ducted Air To Every Room

The central heating oil systems most in demand today in New Zealand are those which distribute warm air throughout the home. Small bore hot water radiator systems, popular in the United Kingdom are available but, generally are, as yet, more expensive than warm air. Over the last say 10 years most warm air systems were of the single point underfloor furnace type usually located in the hall or entrance way. Some considerable .numbers of Console or free standing flued models were also installed. Today with the increasing volume of sales of heaters, certain economies have been introduced and larger ducted systems are proving popular.

In this system a positive flow of warm air is provided by a motor driven fan which blows the air through floor, wall or ceiling ducts located at any desired part of the house. This system will pro-

vide a rapid response to the changes in heating demand influenced by the vagaries of our weather. As it is necessary to install duct work throughout the house, existing homes, with basements, offer no problems. In new homes, provided advice is sought early enough to allow inclusion while building, this system again can be included quite economically. Duct Sizes It is important that duct sizings be correctly calculated and balanced to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum. Normally a return air duct is installed to allow for 100 per cent re-circulation and this is a most efficient method returning a saving of 25 per cent to 30 per cent on fuel costs. Insulation is another factor which will return good economics in the achievement of whole-house heating. Again installers and other specialists are available to advise on this important aspect. Hot Water Small-bore hot water systems have become popular in recent years especially in the heating of larger homes. In this system an oil-fired boiler heats water and the hot water is circulated through the house by means of small bore jin piping to radiators located in each room. A fairly wide range of radiators are available and now unobtrusive skirting board heaters are also on the market. Free Standing The free standing Console type of heater has been quite popular for many years on the market. This, of course, originally stemmed from English and American models imported into the country in the early post-War period. Today with local manufacturers able to work closely with their overseas counterparts new and improved models are coming available. Generally these feature the modern image of the long, low, narrow look made popular by television and radiogram styling.