Need impartial advice. Please Help.

[steblg]

Thank you very much in advance.

We own a townhouse in Newton (Boston), MA, built in 1987. We love everything about our house. The only problem, it is very energy inefficient. Everything is electrical in our house, which makes it more expensive to heat, but $500-600 per winter month seems too much for a 1500 sqf house, especially when max temperature in the house is never above 68F. We have tried all obvious things: thermostat, new very energy efficient windows, etc. Nothing helped. We asked couple HVAC companies for their advice. The final answer was "Just change to gas, it is less expensive". Where do I find an engineer who can analyze our house and describe all options from changing an insulation to installing zone heating, etc. ?
Thank you very much.

-- George

[seatonheating]

Thank you very much in advance.

We own a townhouse in Newton (Boston), MA, built in 1987. We love everything about our house. The only problem, it is very energy inefficient. Everything is electrical in our house, which makes it more expensive to heat, but $500-600 per winter month seems too much for a 1500 sqf house, especially when max temperature in the house is never above 68F. We have tried all obvious things: thermostat, new very energy efficient windows, etc. Nothing helped. We asked couple HVAC companies for their advice. The final answer was "Just change to gas, it is less expensive". Where do I find an engineer who can analyze our house and describe all options from changing an insulation to installing zone heating, etc. ?
Thank you very much.

-- George

I'm assuming you have an electric furnace? Now would be a great time to upgrade to a high efficiency heat pump. You will probably receive a great rebate from your local electric company along with the federal rebate.

[steblg]

Thank you for reply. We already have a heat pump. We have one zone (for two levels house) central air which is probably as old as the house itself.

[emarston]

Going through the pain myself in MD. Heat is definitely a bigger deal in your area, but if your system is 20+ years old you're probably looking into the same thing, and that would be replacing all of it. Listen to the Pros on this board I'm still in the process of determining a contractor, but thanks to all the information here I've been able to figure out which ones aren't selling me a load. The ones we are considering have provided some very interesting alternative solutions to my home's issues. Now the wife and I just have to make a decision.

Also, don't forget about the up to $1500 Federal tax credit you can get along with potential rebates from your local electric company (just check their website). Some states also provide credits/rebates for new efficient systems. It could very well be worth your while.

[commerce48]

Thank you for reply. We already have a heat pump. We have one zone (for two levels house) central air which is probably as old as the house itself.

Your heat pump may not be working or set up incorrectly, thus triggering emergency heat at a much higher cost.

[surenuff]

I agree that you need to find a reputable contractor come out and do a complete check up on your unit to see if it is operating the way it should. Check you see if it is even the right size etc...... Those bills seem awfully high to me for your temperature settings(68) and the size of your home.

[bmathews]

Not sure how it works in your area. I think I would find somebody to do an energy audit. Look in the phonebook or google it. Find an hvac contractor that can do it. We have people in our area, we don't do it. You just have to find somebody. A lot of times, its your energy rates, crappy or no insulation in the walls and ceiling. Maybe a dirty coil, low on refrigerant. Take care of your house before you replace an a/c unit. Otherwise you'll save $50 a month for the money you spent for a new a/c

[man from trane]

Even if your HP is working correctly, they have come a long way since '87. You need a new TRANE heat pump for sure! (oops...I didn't see the part about being impartial :angel:)

[sp1068]

Anything but the communicating,and I'm with ya! I like Trane and Rheem.

[jricer2001]

what about the low tech way, fireplace and wood. less service calls. but seriousley I think most anything is cheaper than elect heat. it may be a good backup though.

[energy_rater_La]

"Where do I find an engineer who can analyze our house and describe all options from changing an insulation to installing zone heating, etc. ?"

Not engineers but efficiency experts, with listings nationwide
www.natresnet.com

invest in an audit, fix the house/ductwork.
make sure that hp is not operating in emergency heating mode

best of luck.

[steblg]

Thank you very much to everyone replied.

Taking your advice I am starting with Energy Audit (thx for right words that could be googl'ed) and will go from there. Btw, on the energystar.gov there is a way to roughly judge an efficiency of the house. On a scale from 1 to 10 with an average house scoring 5, our house scored 3 - long way to go.