Ensure that your oil furnace is OIL-HEATING technology has come a long way in recent years — so far, in fact, that new furnaces can operate at efficiencies of more than 90 per cent. Furnace efficiency refers to the percentage of available heat that is actually delivered to the living space of the house. Homeowners in search of a new furnace will come across two common measurements: season and steady-state efficiency. Seasonal efficiency rates the performance of a fur- nace throughout an entire heating season. It takes into account the less efficient start-up and cool-down Stages of the firing cycle, as well as the periods of peak performance. Seasonal efficiencies are not yet available for most furnaces in Canada (when figures are available, they are most often used to compare new equipment). Steady-state efficiency is calculated during the fur- nace’s peak performance period — after the furnace is warmed up and before it cools down. It indicates the optimum performance level achieved by a furnace and is usually higher than the seasonal efficiency figure for a given appliance. Most oil furnaces in Canada more than five years old are conventional units, typically equipped with a conventional burner and a barometric burner and a barometric damper. A well maintained, well tuned conventional furnace will generally operate at about 73 per cent steady-state efficiency and 60 per cent seasonal efficiency. New oil furnaces on the market are either based on the conventional model (but equipped with efficien- cy-enhancing devices) or are of an altogether dif- ferent, improved design. One of the most common pieces of equipment in- stalled on new furnaces is the flame retention head burner. This burner improves the oil-air mixture, which results in more complete combustion and less ‘i efficient soot deposit on the heat-exchange surface. Retention head burners also facilitate significant nozzle downsizing, enabling the furnace to better meet the heating requirements of the house and reduce fuel consumption. Delayed action solenoid valves are also common devices on new oil furnaces. These valves prevent oil from flowing to the nozzle until the fuel pump reaches its correct operating pressure, and close the oil flow line immediately when the burner shuts off. These two procedures ensure complete combustion of the oil and prevent smoke, fumes and soot buildup, resulting in a cleaner heat-exchange surface and reduced fuel costs. Much of a conventional furnace’s inefficiency is caused by heat lost up the chimney. This heat loss oc- curs because air escapes around the furnace’s barometric damper. Many new furnaces are equipped with an additional damper {downstream from the barometric damper) that closes automatically when the furnace shuts off and opens again only when the next heating cycle begins. In one of the newly designed high-efficiency fur- naces, induced-draft fan units, combustion gases are pulled from the furnace and the barometric damper is eliminated, so substantially less heated air is lost. The most dramatic energy savings are possible with condensing oil furnaces. In these applications, much of the heat contained in flue gases is extracted by a secondary heat exchanger. When these gases cool sufficiently, the water in them releases additional heat that is also captured. As well, condensing furnaces do not require a conven- tional chimney. These design improvements result in higher seasonal and steady-state efficiencies than any other furnace design. | Future home of the North Shore News Distribution Department Starting out as one man's business venture and expanding into a thriving company, the North Shore News has grown with its community. _ The News was first published in February 1969. Circulation of the once monthly paper was 6,000, number of employees — one. In 1986, the North Shore News circulation was 58,287, three times a week, number of employees — 110. Yes, we are growing to serve the community better. Our offices at 1139 Lonsdale Avenue are expanding to include the first floor as well as the second. 1139 Lonsdale Avenue THE VOSCE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER North Vancouver, B.C. 985-2131 SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY « FRI | or for a free estimate 15 - Friday, February 6, 1987 ~ North Shore News LXxURY RENOVATIONS BATHROOMS and KIrCHENS —— toa x ‘ Rata) | : v one Estimates 987-3055 eo Showroom 153 W. 3rd Josco Solariums Experience the ultimate in year round elegance and comfort Custom design and installation services available for both curved and straight eave models. Josco Industries Ltd. Call 520-3183 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily For more information e 8 ft. wide @ 3 ft. deep SSS Now Only *295 We manufacture High Quality, vinyl coated awnings to protect your windows, doors and baiconies. We also do specialty awnings. CALL US AT 987-1577 zara Pacific Western Industries Ltd. 1547 Welch St, Nan. 987-1 577 Awnings