Phil Smith’s Recent Comments

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  Where the 55 degree recomendation comes from

  Some Furnace manufactures will not provide warranty coverage for equipment - forced air furnaces - that have return temperatures this low. Why? Lower return air temps created an environment where the combustion gasses can condense within parts of a furnace not designed for condensation to occur. Condensate from gas combustion itself can be a little acidic, but adding in the stuff we put into the air inside our homes the acidity can increase greatly.
  The metals used in most boilers and furnaces are engineered and fabricated expecting a degree of thermal shock. The colder temps may really increase this shortening the life of the equipment.

  This comment also reflects the opinions of my psychotherapists and aestheticians of which I depend upon, greatly...On Umbra on heat and pipes posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago 3 Responses

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  geothermal heat pump

  geothermal heat pumps are not always the greenest option.  I can only speak to cold climate conditions.
  When I say cold, not that mamby pamby stuff of 10 or 15, rather -15 to -30.

  1. Efficiency in the building reducing the need to heat and cool is the BEST investment.

  2. depending on your fuel mix and Location  chances are the high efficiency gas heating equipment will end up with a net lower greenhouse gas emissions than a ground source heat pump as well as provide a better return in investment.
  On Umbra on home heating posted 2 years, 7 months ago 14 Responses

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  Back Puffing and Boiler hyjinx

  Back Puffing on an oil fired furnace or boiler is a "Surefire" indicator of a lack of air to the combustion system. You need a supply of Combustion Air as long as you keep this working in your home. This is a big safety concern and needs to be addressed right away! Call a Heating Contractor NOW!

  Any new equipment you get should be of a direct vent design, providing a direct supply of combustion air from the outside into the combustion chamber, and a direct exhaust to the exterior. In both cases two or three inch PVC pipe can be used for venting.

  When deciding on upgrading your heating system (You will want to move from the steam boiler as you will not want to tolerate the low efficiency with the peak efficiency available now and in the future being only about 83%) you will need to have the distribution system assessed for possible conversion to hot water.

  If you have a single pipe steam system, then it is total replacement time!

  Replacement of everything is not always needed. If you have a two pipe steam system then a possible conversion including a reworking of the existing radiators is possible.

  You may have to replace the piping and this can be done with pex type piping , the same used for infloor radiant heat. This can be run through the interior of walls to the radiator locations with out as much destruction as one might think.

  I like radiators as you can get better zone control with little perks like a radiator for a bathroom that also serves as a towel warmer! You can keep the bathroom cooler with a warm towel to dry with!

  A new boiler can also be used to heat your tap water and Solar can be added to this  as well.On Umbra on home heating posted 2 years, 7 months ago 14 Responses

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  Windows and Window repair

  I think the value of 40% household energy use is through windows may be a historic value that may not stand up to serious analysis.

  What we have found is window replacement for economic reasons gives one of the poorest returns possible.

  If a window is physically falling apart then the move to the most efficient possible which in the US is overall pretty poor. The most efficient come from Canada or Europe. If you want to see some super windows go to those Certified for use in the European Passiv Haus construction standards. These standards are remarkable with a strong focus on Sustainability. Energy consumption is a tich more than 1kwh/sq ft/year! I hope your German is better than mine!  http://www.passiv.de/On Umbra on window manufacturers posted 3 years ago 3 Responses