Archive for the ‘Heating and Cooling’ Category

Feedback from a happy customer

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

MARCH 2012: 0=Poor, 5= Excellent

A B O UT YO U

Your Name Brian & Judy

F EEDB A CK

Quality of Installation 5

Professional I mage of Contractor 5

Courteous/Friendly 5

On-Time for Appointment 5

Responsiveness to Questions 5

Product Performance 5

Overall Ex perience of Your Recent Purchase 5

Would You Recommend U s To Others Yes

Would You Recommend This Brand to Others Yes

O PT I O NA L F EEDB A CK

Did your customer service representative ex plain how to operate and maintain your new system? Yes

Did your new system require a callback? N o

I f yes, w as your problem resolved? N o

Were you offered consumer financing? Yes

I f no, w ould you have been interested?

Were you offered a service agreement to help maintain your system the season? Yes

I f yes, did you purchase an agreement? N o

Do you w ish a phone call from our customer service department? N o

COMMENTS:

Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating & Electric were once again a reliable Company that installed our new furnace and air conditioner. From the salesman to the installers we were impressed by their professional, courteous and dependable customer service. The installers that were sent to do the installation were a pleasure to have in our home . They were well trained experts in their field and their workmanship in the install is the proof. We have no trouble giving this Company a high recommendation.

May We Include Your Comments as a Testimonial on our Website?

This comment can be used as a testimonial

Your Name Brian & JudyF EEDB A CKQuality of I nstallation 5Professional I mage of Contractor 5Courteous/Friendly 5On-Time for Appointment 5Responsiveness to Questions 5Product Performance 5Overall Ex perience of Your Recent Purchase 5Would You Recommend U s To Others YesWould You Recommend This Brand to Others YesO PT I O NA L F EEDB A CKDid your customer service representative ex plain how to operate and maintain your new system? YesDid your new system require a callback? N oI f yes, w as your problem resolved? N oWere you offered consumer financing? YesI f no, w ould you have been interested?Were you offered a service agreement to help maintain your system the season? YesI f yes, did you purchase an agreement? N oDo you w ish a phone call from our customer service department? N o

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GeoExchange Concept, How will this work for my Muskoka home

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

GeoExchange Concept

Details How is heat actually transferred between the ground and the building?

As a fluid is circulated through the buried pipe, it attracts heat from the surrounding ground; the further the fluid flows, the more heat it can extract. When the warm fluid returns to the compressor, heat is taken from the fluid and transferred to the heat pump, where it warms air prior to circulation throughout the building. In summer, the compressor transfers building heat into the loop fluid, which then dissipates heat into the ground as it circulates, and returns to the building in a cooled state.

Details How can a geoexchange system heat both air and water?

The solar heat that is transferred out of the ground can be used either to warm air (for use in a forced air distribution system) or to heat water (for drinking or service applications, or in radiant heating or swimming pools).

Details How does the geoexchange system extract heat from frozen soil?

The loop is buried below the frost line, and insulation is used to protect any section that may rise above the frost line (e.g.: as the pipe enters the building) to avoid freezing in winter.

Details Can a geoexchange system be used for anything other than heating and cooling a building?

Twenty percent of the average energy demand in a residential home is for water heating, and most units include a component to heat water for potable or sanitary use. Heat pumps can also be used to dehumidify indoor swimming pool areas, by controlling condensation with a minimum of ventilation and using the recovered heat in the main heating process.

Details What happens if a geoexchange system tries to extract too much heat from the ground?

When the loop cannot obtain sufficient heat from the ground, most systems include a back-up electric element to provide supplemental heat. If the demand for heat is higher than the combined supply from the outside loop and the electric backup, most systems will shut down. Note: the backup electric system continues to provide heat until the problem is fixed.

Details What makes a geoexchange system different from conventional heating and cooling systems?

Most space heating and water heating in Canada are provided by combustion of natural gas, oil or propane, or by electric resistance, while most cooling is provided by electric air conditioning. A geoexchange system does not use combustion to make heat; it simply transfers solar heat from the ground at very high efficiency. This lack of combustion makes a geoexchange system a best choice from an environmental and safety standpoint.

Details Do geoexchange systems have outdoor units?

The ground loop is buried in the soil and enters the building through an underground penetration. There are no visual components outdoors.

Details Does a geoexchange system require separate ground loops for heating and cooling?

In Canada, a geoexchange unit is used more for heating than for cooling, and a reversing valve can be switched between seasons to reverse the flow of the loop fluid and the operation of the heat pump. The system design may be over-sized for the second application, but that means the unit cycles less frequently.

Details Can a geoexchange system work with a diesel generator?

The generator must be of sufficient capacity and have a constant voltage, to meet the electrical demands of the heat pump operation, including circulating pump for the loop and distribution pump for the hot air.

Details What is the difference between a geoexchange and an air-source heat pump?

An air-source system is a similar concept to a geoexchange system, but it extracts heat from outside air instead of from the ground. Winter air does not contain much latent heat, and the efficiency of an air-source unit drops significantly when outside temperatures drop below 0 o Celsius. The compressor in an air-source unit is located in the outdoor compartment, where it is noisy and exposed to weather elements. By comparison, a geoexchange system is more efficient due to higher ground temperatures in winter, and the absence of any outdoor equipment makes a geoexchange system quieter, more aesthetically pleasing and longer lasting.

Details Can geoexchange systems be used in commercial or industrial buildings, or in apartment or school?

Absolutely. Research conducted for NRCan indicates that these applications are very cost-effective and offer high reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. Often, these applications offer a more balanced load profile than a residential home and, therefore, are less expensive for the heating or cooling supplied. More than half the geoexchange systems installed in Canada are used in these applications.

Details Can heating and cooling occur simultaneously in the same building?

Yes. Each heat pump unit can perform only one function at a time, but a larger building (with more than one unit) can provide heating to one spot and cooling to another. This is a common application in schools and other institutional facilities, which have a diverse load. The practice also increases the efficiency of the overall system because the heat removed from room A can be transferred to room B, reducing the need for the ground loop to provide both heating and cooling (and thereby reducing the total installed cost).

Details Can a geoexchange system provide heat recovery ventilation (HVR)?

Some units integrate a HRV unit that can provide fresh air and enhance building comfort, and offer enhanced defrosting without creating negative pressure inside the building.

Details Is the compressor in a geoexchange unit the same compressor as in a refrigerator?

In principle, yes. A refrigerator is designed to cool food by extracting heat from the package and transferring the warm air into the kitchen. A geoexchange system can be reversed to provide cooling or heating, depending on the season. There are numerous compressors on the market, all of which use the same general principles, although the specific models used in a geoexchange system are different from the kitchen appliance.

Details Is there a national or local standard for the design and installation of a geoexchange system?

Design and installation are covered under national CSA standards C447 (commercial) and C445 (residential). As of March 2002, both applications are covered under the CSA C448 standard. CGC is not aware of any mandatory provincial regulations pertaining to geoexchange systems, although some municipalities or regulatory agencies may have guidelines or rules, which have an impact on the design or installation of geoexchange systems

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Why is a hybrid system economical?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

	Why is a hybrid system economical?
	A hybrid combines the best of both a furnace and heat pump to heat your home cost effectively and comfortably. Here are the reasons why hybrids are economical: 1) Heat pumps can heat a home for fewer costs than a furnace above specific temperatures. 2) The furnace can heat the home for fewer costs than a heat pump below specific temperatures. At specific outdoor temperatures, heat pumps have a difficult time keeping up with demand and become less efficient in heating the home. Supplemental heat is required to help keep the home comfortable during those temperatures. In a traditional heat pump system, and electric heating kit is installed in the indoor section to supplement the heat. Unlike the heat pump that moves heat from outside, these supplemental options will increase electricity at a greater rate because they must create heat. This is a common set-up for markets in which the only heat source is a heat pump. However in markets where furnaces are the dominate heat source, and air conditioners are used to cool in the summer, hybrids make the most sense. Not only can a heat pump cool the home as efficiently as the air conditioner, they can cost effectively heat the home to specific temperature lowering the consumers total heating costs for the winter. When the outdoor temperature requires additional heat source, the heat pump will turn off, and the furnace will take over to heat the home. This is done economically by setting the thermostat to a specific outdoor temperature, which can vary per household.

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David Suzuki on Geothermal heating and cooling your Muskoka home or cottage: Geothermal WaterFurnace Heatpumps are the way to go.

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Geothermal heat pumps are one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to heat

and cool most buildings today.

Geothermal pumps draw energy from the earth, using a series of underground

pipes. In winter, these systems bring the earth’s warmth up into a building, concentrate

it, and distribute it using heat pumps and ventilation systems. In summer, they

work in reverse, extracting heat from inside to be discharged into the cooler earth.

The earth itself supplies the renewable thermal energy, and the systems run with

almost no pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.

Smart Generation shows geothermal pumps can be widely used to provide heating

and cooling for all new residential and commercial buildings in Ontario. By 2010,

Ontario can install 125,000 residential geothermal pumps, saving the equivalent of

7.7 petajoules per year. By 2020, the province can install 341,000 geothermal systems

in new homes, saving the equivalent of 21 petajoules per year (the equivalent of about

750,000 tonnes of coal, or 3.7 million barrels of oil).

Ontario can follow the example set by Manitoba Hydro, which has become a

Canadian leader in geothermal heat pumps. Manitoba Hydro currently offers

homeowners a loan up to $15,000 to install a geothermal heat pump when building

a new home or replacing an old heating system. According to Manitoba Hydro,

installing 1,000 geothermal heat pumps in homes generates $15 million in construction-

related activity.

The City of Winnipeg is developing plans for a 100 per cent geothermal new

subdivision. If built, it would be the largest geothermal housing development in

Canada.

In Ontario, about 8,500 homes and 500 institutional and commercial buildings

are currently using geothermal systems. These systems offset the need for

electricity-hogging air conditioners and heating systems based on electricity

or natural gas.

Geothermal

heat pumps

Manitoba Hydro is leading Canada

in supporting geothermal heat

pumps for a variety of applications,

including homes and other buildings

such as recreation centres.

According to Manitoba Hydro,

the installation of 1,000 geothermal

heat pumps in homes generates

$15 million in construction-related

activity.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

SMART GENERATION: POWERING ONTARIO WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY 11

Economic benefits

The cost to install a geothermal system that can provide 100 per cent of heating and

cooling is about $20,000 for a new 2,000 square foot home in a Toronto subdivision.

The energy savings achieved by installing a geothermal heat pump are considerable.

Annual heating costs are $400, markedly lower compared to $1,000 for electric

furnace or electric baseboards, $1,250 for a gas furnace or $1,600 for a conventional

oil furnace.

Installing 125,000 home geothermal systems could result in 18,750 jobs by 2007.

By 2020, the installation of 341,000 geothermal pumps could create up to

51,150 jobs.

Fast facts

Ontario can use geothermal

energy for 20 per cent of the air

conditioning and water heating

load in all provincial and municipal

buildings by 2010. This level

should rise to 50 per cent by 2020.

Geothermal energy can be widely

used to provide heating and

cooling for all new residential and

commercial buildings in Ontario.

By 2010, Ontario could install

125,000 residential geothermal

systems that would provide

heating and cooling, saving

the equivalent of 2.1 million MWh

per year.

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Carbon Monoxide: How do I keep it out of my home?

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Keep Carbon Monoxide Out of Your Home

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful gas that has no colour, smell or taste.

CO forms whenever you burn fuel such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, oil, coal and wood. It is also contained in second-hand smoke. If furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves or water heaters are improperly installed, or if they malfunction, they can release CO into your home.

What Are the Health Effects?

CO can cause health problems before people even notice that it is present.

When you breathe in CO, it reduces your body’s ability to carry oxygen in the blood.

Even at low levels of exposure, CO can cause headaches and make you feel tired. The health effects at higher levels can be much more serious and can even lead to death.

How do I know if I Have a Problem?

CO can be detected only with a carbon monoxide detector.

What Can I Do?

Maintenance is the key!
- There is no substitute for good maintenance of fuel-burning appliances because CO detectors may not detect low levels of CO that can, over time, have effects on your health.
- Make sure appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and water heaters are well maintained and inspected by a professional at least once a year.
Get a CO detector!
- Put at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. A smoke alarm helps protect against fires, but will not warn you of potentially harmful carbon monoxide in your home. It is important that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home as well as a smoke alarm.
- Install a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified CO detector with an audible alarm to warn you of high CO concentrations in your home. The most important place to install a detector is in hallways, outside of sleeping areas. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on how to install and use the detector, and when it needs to be replaced. You can use a marker to remind yourself when it was installed and when it should be replaced.
Leave it outside!
- Never use a barbecue indoors.
- Don’t use kerosene or oil space heaters or lamps in enclosed areas unless they’re specifically designed for indoor use.
No idling indoors!
- Don’t let vehicles idle in the garage, even when the garage door is open.
- Never run gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, snow blowers or other machines in the garage.
- Keep the door between your house and the garage closed.

INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATOR

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What qustions should I be asking about my Muskoka geothermal ground source or water source design and installation?

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Installation Questions

Details How to size a geothermal heatpump for residential building?

Have a qualified CGC and HRAI contractor takes responsibility for the size. Such as www.gravenhurstplumbing.com

Details How deep should a loop be?

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) C448 standard requires that horizontal loops be buried at least 4 feet below surface. The deeper the depth the better, as thermal stability increases with depth. Many provinces demand the use of trench scaffolding if depths exceed 6 feet, which imposes a cost. Vertical boreholes have no limits on depth, although an average depth is 100-200 feet.

Details Is there a national / local standard to govern the installation of a geoexchange system?

As of March 2002, both residential and commercial installations are covered under the Canada Standards Association (CSA) C448. We are not aware of any provincial regulations affecting Geoexchange installation, though some municipalities or other regulatory agencies may have guidelines or rules pertaining to the installation of systems. CGC members should be informed and current on all relevant standards and regulations, though as always, the burden of information falls on the consumer. We therefore recommend consumers raise the question with your local installer and local government officials, until you are satisfied that all necessary standards and regulations have been met.

Details How far apart should trenches and vertical boreholes be spaced?

Trenches are usually spaced 8-10 feet apart, while boreholes are spaced 10-15 feet apart.

Details Can someone other than the contractor install the ground loop?

Most contractors prefer to retain control over the entire job to ensure compatibility of all sections, but the digging of the horizontal trench (and backfilling) is one area that could reduce costs if done under the guidance and direction of the installing contractor.

Details Can a homeowner install a geoexchange system?

It is recommended that a qualified and certified contractor be used to design and install the system. If a homeowner wants to save money and has access to a backhoe, the contractor may provide details on where to trench on the property, and when to backfill after the loop is installed.

Details How deep should the vertical borehole be drilled?

Deeper is generally better, but there can be technical constraints. Most residential boreholes are 75-100 feet, but some can be as deep as 1000 feet depending on soil properties, heating requirements, and other factors.

Details How deep should the ground loop be installed?

The CSA C448 standard directs that the minimum depth is 4 feet; the former 445 standard required 2 feet. The objective is to install the loop as far below the frost line as possible. Many provinces require safety measures when a trench is more than six feet deep, so most contractors do not exceed that depth in order to reduce costs.

Details Are there any concerns with joining sections of underground pipe?

The high-density polyethylene pipe is socket fused (basically, melted together with a high temperature tool), which makes the joined plastic section more solid than the original resin. If done by a certified fusion contractor, there is virtually no chance of breakage or separation under normal conditions.

Details How many pipes should be installed in a trench?

From one to six, depending on design considerations and the thermal characteristics of the soil.

Details What spacing is required for the ground loop?

Each pipe extracts heat from the nearby soil, so separation should be as wide as possible. The CSA standard demands at least 10 feet between sections of loop, which can be reduced under certain conditions.

Details Does a geoexchange system use a setback thermostat?

A geoexchange system relies on a constant, low level of temperature for the building, and any sudden increase in heat demand will cause the supplemental backup heating unit to activate. Setback thermostats are not recommended for use with a geoexchange system.

Details Is it possible to make a mistake when installing the ground loop?

It is unlikely that a certified loop installer would make any mistake since he/she is trained to fuse sections of loop. The CSA standard requires that a system be tested to a pressure above normal operating levels, to determine if there are any leaks or problems which can be corrected immediately.

Details Is there a concern with poor-quality water in an open-loop system?

In a closed-loop system, the water must be of good quality and meet the specifications of the heat pump manufacturer and the supplier of the anti-freeze solution with which it is mixed. In an open-loop system, some chemicals and minerals in the water may not be compatible with the heat exchanger. An analysis of the water should be performed before purchase to determine which model of exchanger is required. If the water content changes over time, this may have a detrimental impact on the system.

Details Can a geoexchange system be added to a fossil fuel furnace?

A dual system can be added to an existing furnace to provide a dual-fuel heating system, where the heat pump is the main source of heating and the combustion furnace provides the supplemental heat.

Details Is a geoexchange system difficult to install?

The ground loop can be difficult to install, depending on rocks, physical obstructions and topography. The interior heat pump is easy to install, and can be located in areas without proper ventilation (there is no combustion, so no need for exhaust). Most units are easy to install, especially when they are replacing another forced-air system. The air distribution may be difficult in a retrofit installation.

Details Will a geoexchange loop affect a lawn or landscape?

The only impact will be a period of settling for soil that is placed back in the trench. This visual evidence takes one year to settle.

Details Can a geoexchange system be located in a septic bed to take advantage of the heat?

The CSA standard specifically bans locating a ground loop near septic systems to avoid retarding the microbial action to decompose sewage. Grey water from the building can be used in some situations, if that collection unit is separate from the septic system.

Details What heat transfer fluids are permitted?

The anti-freeze that is used in a closed-loop system must be approved by provincial authorities and acceptable to the heat pump manufacturer. Methanol and denatured ethanol are the most common fluids used (methanol is not approved for use in Ontario). The fluid must be mixed with water in accordance with instructions, usually on a 4:1 ratio of water-to-chemical.

Details Can I install a ground heat exchanger myself?

It is not recommended. In addition to thermal fusion of the pipe, drilling and trenching are procedures best handled by licensed professionals. Non-professional installations may result in less than optimum performance, which could cancel out anticipated savings. Also, warranties are usually void if a non-authorized dealer installs the system.

Details Will trees or plants affect ground temperature or the efficiency of a geoexchange system, of vice-versa?

No. Systems are installed away from trees to avoid damage to root systems when digging the trench.

Details How long does an installation take?

Depending on soil conditions and the length and depth of pipe, a typical residential system can be installed in two days. Commercial systems depend greatly on geography and system size for accurate estimation.

Details What laws apply to open-loop installations?

The CSA C448 standard contains a number of requirements to ensure that an open-loop unit does not abuse the increasingly valuable water resource.

Details Does the capacity of electrical service need to be increased with the addition of a heat pump?

A contractor can advise if an upgrade is required to accommodate the additional electricity required.

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Why every home should have a Heat Recovery Ventilator

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Feds look into Canada’s killer homes

Every year, 2,000 die from radon exposure. Is it in your home?

by Michael Friscolanti on Monday, February 9, 2009 12:49pm - 9 Comments

Your life savings are vanishing, your job is in jeopardy, and the repo man has already visited some of your friends and relatives. Now here’s the really bad news: your beloved home—the one you’re desperately trying to save from foreclosure—may actually be killing you (and not because of the mortgage payments).

The culprit? Radon: a tasteless, odourless, invisible gas that lurks in cellars and crawl spaces and is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking. Every year, up to 2,000 Canadians die a premature death because their homes—unbeknownst to them —are loaded with tiny radioactive particles.

This nasty little gas is hardly new (scientists have been studying its fatal side-effects for more than a century), but the federal government is suddenly anxious to find out which neighbourhoods are most at risk. Over the next two years, Health Canada plans to spend almost $1 million testing 18,000 randomly chosen homes, with the end result being an online “radon potential map” that pinpoints possible danger zones. “Radon is the largest source of radiation exposure for most Canadians,” says Jack Cornett, a ministry spokesman. “But we are concerned that there is a real lack of awareness about it.”

Here’s what Health Canada wants you to know: first, don’t panic. Radon is a naturally occurring gas released by uranium decay in the soil, and the experts believe that only 2.5 per cent of all homes contain “unsafe” levels (more than 200 becquerels per cubic metre). Second, if you’re still nervous, conduct your own test. Do-it-yourself radon kits cost as little as $50 at the local hardware store. Third, seal all the cracks in your basement floor. Radon loves to seep through those crevices.

Oh, and don’t smoke cigarettes. Apparently that causes lung cancer, too. MOST IMPORTANT: INSTALL A HRV!! SEE:http://www.lifebreath.com/en/consumer/products/residential/hrv/

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What is a hybrid system and how can it help heat my Muskoka home?

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Hybrid System Logo Most consumers are familiar with the term “hybrid” in reference to cars that combine electric and gas fuel for better performance. Long before dual-fuel cars were on the market, a consumer could get a dual-fuel heating and cooling system. A central hybrid comfort system uses gas and electric heat to reduce heating expenses in the winter while also keeping your home comfortable. It is one of the most economical type of system that does not compromise comfort.

Posted in Choosing a Contractor, Equipment & Supplies, Heating and Cooling, News, Uncategorized | No Comments »

What makes a hybrid system different?

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Hybrid system logo What makes a

hybrid system different?

Since it is a rare task to replace your central heating and cooling system, let’s start with some basic knowledge about a typical set-up. The most common heating and cooling system set-up is a gas furnace with a coil and an electric air conditioner. This is a ‘split system’, which means the coil is located inside the home with the furnace and the rest of the cooling component (the AC) is outside…hence the system is split between locations, giving its name. The air conditioner uses the furnace’s blower to distribute cool air when it’s hot outside. The furnace heats the home with a fossil fuel (i.e. natural gas, propane or oil) when it’s cold outside. The hybrid is different from a typical system because it provides two heat sources: electric heat and a fossil fuel. In many locations, it is more economical to heat the home with the electric heat pump, at least until the outdoor temperature falls below a specific temperature point. Below that temperature point, the furnace heats the home more economically.

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