In our climate zone, heating requires more energy than anything else in the residence. Regulators, clients and designers are increasing efforts to reduce CO emissions associated with both residence energy usage as well as CO embedded in the materials used for construction. Result of these efforts is a trend away from combustion appliances toward electric only appliances. A/C mini split units as well as central A/C heat pumps are becoming preferred heating and cooling options for most climate zones These electric based systems provide heating and air conditioning utilizing muly or variable speed fans and compressors with efficiencies averaging 400%, unlike resistive electric heaters (like baseboard heaters) that have efficiency below 100%. Such high efficiencies are achieved by transferring heat between indoor and outdoor space rather than by creating heat through resistive elements. Unfortunately a heat pump system that will provide enough heat during most severe winter nights when temperatures drop below -40F would be both cost prohibitive and unreliable. In our effort to reduce utility costs and to follow recent trends we have identified several solutions that offer above mentioned benefits while providing reliable and comfortable heating. These systems will use an electric heat pump while the heat pump provides sufficient heat and then they will switch to a gas furnace when supplemental heat is needed. This system results in both reduced emissions and reduced heating bills. Perhaps the biggest benefit of the central air system is its ability to filter all of the interior air. Our latest central air systems are coupled with external high efficiency filters that remove the majority of the particles from the air to be recirculated into the home. Final aspect of the climate system is Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV). This unit periodically or continuously pulls fresh outside air and exhausts stale interior. This unit provides home with fresh air maintaining comfortable indoor environment.
