Case Study

Property Type:   Custom Single Family House

Location:  Northeast United States

Owner Concerns:  High fuel oil costs for heat and hot water. House always seems hot.

Consultants Response:  Recommend on-site inspection of building perimeter and mechanical  

                                            Systems. Review last 12 months of utility bills.

Consultants Recommendations:  

Heating System:  Boiler is confined in small room. Not enough combustion air and noted by excessive soot build up in flue and on top of boiler. Boiler capable of 86% efficiency and is operating at 72%. Recommend boiler be serviced by trained technician. Introduce outside combustion air to room as close to burner as possible. Install Beckett Heat Manager control to utilize the existing heat produced by the boiler and false starts. Install outside temperature reset so boiler set point will work in conjunction with outside ambient temperature. Currently four zones with individual circulators without individual flow control valves which will be a problem. When one zone turns on all lines open. This explains why all rooms get hot. Install individual FCV ‘s on outlet side of circulators. Programmable thermostats are currently installed but not programmed properly utilizing setbacks.

Hot Water System:

Currently using Amtrol indirect fired Hot Water Heater. Lower temperature to 120 degree F. Wire control sequence to priority.    

Building Perimeter:

Weather stripping on exterior doors can be replaced. All windows are low-E glass, insulated. There are numerous recessed lights in high ceilings where cold air is dropping down into the rooms and are not accessible . Recommend installing cone shaped deep trim which will cut down on the draft.

Note:

Owner has plans to add approximately 400 square feet of living space. Current boiler capacity is adequate. Recommend low temperature radiant system for this area.  

Summary

If client completes recommendations as noted, a cost savings of Approximately 15% can be realized. Approximate costs $2,500. Payback three years or less. Consultants time 10hrs.