Gas and electric heating system

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/007,108, filed Jan. 7, 2008.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to heating systems. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a gas and electric heating system having a boiler that utilizes both gaseous fuel and electric energy to generate steam.

2. Description of the Related Art

Potential shortages of gas and oil and pollution generated during hydrocarbon combustion have caused builders to consider electric energy as a cleaner alternative for heating steam-producing boilers. However, the high costs of producing electricity and the relative inefficiency of using only electric power to generate steam render this alternative economically imprudent. The heating industry and the consumer would certainly welcome a heating system that could incorporate the best features of both an electric and a hydrocarbon-fueled, steam-generated heating system. Thus, a gas and electric heating system solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

The gas and electric heating system is a high-efficiency heating system that employs combination gas and electric heat generators to provide energy to a boiler that generates steam. In one embodiment, the system comprises a blue-flame, gaseous-fuel burner disposed externally of the boiler to provide heat to a steam-generating boiler. A second embodiment employs a jet flame burner having a heating tube disposed in the boiler. Both embodiments employ electrical heating elements positioned inside the boiler. Steam generated in the boiler flows to a heating core. The core is positioned in an air duct so that heat is transferred from the core to air flowing through the duct. The heated air flows from the duct into an area to be heated. Controls are provided to correlate the functions of the various components in the system. The duct can be oriented in any direction (horizontal, down-flow, up-flow, etc.). Accordingly, the instant invention presents a heating system that employs a combination of energy sources to produce steam. The heating system is effective and efficient and may reduce the user\'s annual heating bill up to 80%. The system provides for an arrangement of improved elements for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.