Updated the residential HVAC for my folks

I’m so thankful to be in the position I am when it comes to finances.

While I worked hard, sacrificed and stayed ethical, I was also supported and set up for success from the beginning.

I may work inside the zone controlled HVAC of a fancy office but, I’m still the same guy my parents raised. Having a corner office with my own thermostat did not change the core person that I have always been. And for that, I only have my parents to thank. They moved down here a few years ago to be closer. They’re nearly 80 now and it’s good to have them close so I can help out. They bought a two bedroom bungalow that’s not but a few miles from my wife and I. Recently, I was able to do something for my parents. The place they live in is very nice and is the perfect size for the two of them and their cat. But when we were looking at the place, I noticed that the HVAC equipment wasn’t up to date. In fact, it was so old that I couldn’t even find a SEER rating on it. A SEER rating is the measure of efficiency for a heat pump. I certainly didn’t want to stick my nose into their business but I did comment on the state of the heating and cooling equipment. They didn’t seem too worried. Well, that old HVAC equipment quit on them a few weeks ago. I was fortunate enough to be able to call our HVAC professionals and have them replace and upgrade the quality heating and air for my folks.

air conditioning provider

Retirement still came with a heat pump

I’m not sure exactly why it was always presumed that my husband and I would retire down south.

Like, I can’t remember the start of that conversation.

It was just like always understood that when we retired, we’d ditch the winter and head for the sun and all that air conditioning. So that’s how we planned it even though we’ve never lived anywhere else in our entire life. We live in a region that has plenty of cold weather in the winter but it’s not like some of the brutal winter conditions of the far north. Still, we’ve always had a gas furnace for heating in the winter. We have a central air conditioning system that also includes the cooling side with a heat pump. The idea was that we’d trade the gas furnace for only a heat pump when we moved south. As we started looking for places to live, we started to realize that maybe moving south wasn’t what we really wanted to do. It was lovely, the weather was great but it wasn’t home. That started to change the conversation. Once we updated the HVAC equipment to sell our family home, we met the HVAC contractor who would be the tipping point for our plans. We had been on the fence about leaving or building a fence. And when we started talking with the HVAC professional about the geothermal heat pump, it changed everything. It fit our plans for quality heating and air so we stayed put and built this lovely, small sanctuary of a home. At least we did trade the gas furnace for a heat pump when it came to heating our home. And I will also say that the radiant floor heating from the geothermal heat pump is the most amazing heating ever.

ductwork

Happy with my outside air conditioning

My son loves to give me a hard time.

He comes down to visit whenever he can and keeps threatening to trade the gas furnace for the heat pump the way we did.

Of course, we spent our entire adult life dealing with ugly winters so he’s got a way to go before he matches that feat. Still, he needles me about being so old that I had to come south and sit in the air conditioning. While I know he’s kidding, there really is some truth to all of that. For sure, the older I became, the more winter weather in the north just beat me down. And it wasn’t just the physical beat down from the constant temperatures in the teens, snow and ice. It was also the mental beat down of being trapped inside the heating at home or inside the commercial HVAC of the office. That’s how it felt toward the end there. I just hated being inside all the time for like 5 months of the year. When we started looking at places to retire to, we had a list of what we wanted. No big cities, good weather and a sunroom. This is something that both my wife and I had always wanted. So when we bought this house, we added just the right sunroom. It nearly doubled the square footage of usable space. And it almost totally feels like I have the outside right inside my house. That’s why my son gives me a hard time about having air conditioning outside. We have ductless heat pump that provides air conditioning and some occasional heating

 

 

Heating and cooling equipment

Study spot is complete with ductless heat pump

I’m so proud of my oldest child. How she has maintained her composure, class and confidence living in a house with her brothers is amazing alone. But the fact that she is looking at possibly a free ride to college is just something I couldn’t have imagined. Yet, she has spent a lot of time inside the central air conditioning of the house making sure that her studies came first. Though it hasn’t been easy given how loud and obnoxious her little brothers can be. They adore their sister but they hardly give her a minute’s peace. And yet, my oldest child is always smiling and trying to look after her siblings. My wife and I decided that we wanted to be sure that for her last two years of highschool, she had the study space she needed. We have a finished attic which is sort of rare. I have no idea why the previous owner finished it off with drywall, electrical outlets and a plywood floor. We’ve just used it for storage until we realized that this would be the perfect, quiet and private study spot our daughter deserves. With the help of the local HVAC professionals, we had a ductless heat pump installed up there. This way, our daughter will have proper quality heating and air as she goes for it academically during the end of her highschool career. A free ride to college would be great but I really just want her to be able to give the total effort that she wants to give. However, the price of a ductless heat pump is nothing compared to a free college education.

 

Hybrid heating

Enjoying residential HVAC in my treehouse

It was my dream when I was a kid to have a great treehouse.

My dad was so good at building stuff that he put a wonderful treehouse in an old oak tree in our backyard.

I loved it out there and would even sleep there on occasion when my mom would let me stay out of the central air conditioning all night. But that was sort of a treat. These days, I sleep every night in a treehouse of my own design. That’s right, I live in the woods and my home is up off the ground anchored to several big trees in an old growth forrest. It’s everything I could have ever wanted. But it took me a long time to make this dream come true. I lived inside the same apartment for more than a decade while I saved money, bought land and implemented my plan. That place was great as far as rent was concerned because it was as cheap as I could find. But when it came to quality heating and air, privacy and quiet, that place wasn’t so good. Yet, I was able to deal with it because I knew I was doing it for a reason. Getting my treehouse just right included adding residential HVAC as well. And the great people at the HVAC company were instrumental there. The HVAC professionals were able to install a pair of ductless heat pump in my home that produce the best heating and cooling ever. It is indeed a dream come true to spend my life in the trees. But having some great quality heating and air along with other conveniences is just icing on the cake.

 

Clickable link

Longing for my own HVAC equipment

It’s nice that we are finally done with the whole ordeal that comes with selling a house.

And this wasn’t just a house as much as it was our family home for nearly 30 years.

So selling that house was quite the process. It started with the realization that living in the family home just wasn’t sustainable. The heating and cooling costs alone were crazy for just one couple. For sure, it’s cool having the kids come home at Christmas. But otherwise, we weren’t utilizing that space at all. We were actually spending far too much time, energy and money just keeping it maintained, organized and clean. So once we saw that truth, it made it much easier to start the process. We had to make some improvements before ever putting it on the market. The air was to maximize the value of our house by updating the kitchen and the heating and cooling equipment. Both the residential HVAC and the kitchen were a bit worn out. Certainly, the heating and cooling equipment was at the end as it had run flawlessly for 27 years. Thankfully, we were in great hands with our HVAC contractor. They took care of all the details and we sold our house in weeks for top dollar. Now, we are living in a rental with ancient HVAC equipment and I’m longing for that awesome HVAC technology that we were able to enjoy while we were packing and moving out. Soon, I will have that sort of HVAC technology in our new home.

Heating technology

Blimps and heating systems

Blimps, also known as airships, are a type of aircraft that rely on lighter-than-air gasses to generate lift and stay aloft.

Blimps are often used for advertising, surveillance, and research purposes, and they can be found in various shapes and sizes.

Due to their unique design and application, blimps have specific heating requirements to ensure safe and efficient operation. Heating systems in blimps are necessary to maintain a comfortable environment for passengers and crew members, as well as to prevent the buildup of ice on critical components, such as propellers and sensors. There are two main types of heating systems used in blimps: convective heating and conductive heating. Convective heating is achieved by blowing hot air into the envelope of the blimp. This method is simple and effective, as it allows the hot air to circulate throughout the cabin and other compartments. The hot air is generated by a propane or natural gas burner located on the ground, which is connected to the blimp via a flexible hose. The blimp’s envelope is made of a durable and heat-resistant material, such as polyester or Kevlar, which can withstand the high temperatures generated by the burner. Conductive heating, on the other hand, involves the use of electrically heated elements that are installed in critical components of the blimp, such as the engine and propellers. These elements heat up quickly and efficiently, providing a constant source of heat that is not affected by outside weather conditions. Conductive heating is often used in conjunction with convective heating to ensure optimal performance. Overall, heating systems in blimps are critical for ensuring safe and comfortable operation, and they play a vital role in the successful deployment of blimps for various applications.

Energy saving tips

What is a mini split air conditioner?

A mini air unit, also known as a duct-free system, consists of an outdoor unit that houses the compressor and condenser, and one or more indoor units that are mounted on walls or ceilings to deliver cool air directly into a room or zone.

Here’s how the unit works: The outdoor unit compresses and circulates refrigerant, typically a type of freon, through copper tubing that connects to the indoor unit(s).

The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air and carries it to the outdoor unit. Heat exchange: Inside the indoor unit, the HVAC refrigerant passes through a coil that contains a series of fins. The warm indoor air passes over the coil, and the heat is transferred to the refrigerant. The refrigerant then carries the heat to the outdoor unit, where it is released into the outside air. Cool air delivery: After the HVAC heat is removed from the indoor air, the refrigerant then circulates back to the indoor unit to repeat the cycle. The cooled refrigerant inside the indoor unit then passes through a second coil that contains a series of fins, which cools the air passing over it. A fan in the indoor unit blows the cool air back into the room or zone. Temperature control: Mini split AC units come with a remote control that allows you to adjust the temperature and fan speed, and sometimes the direction of the airflow. One of the main advantages of mini split AC units is their flexibility in installation, as they do not require ductwork and can be mounted on walls or ceilings, making them ideal for retrofitting older buildings or adding cooling to specific zones in a larger space.
Heat pump install

Do your heating maintenance

Let’s talk about airports, as I just watched a good documentary on them and am interested in how the places operate on a daily basis.

Airports are like small self-contained cities that have everything they need to operate.

I’d like to talk about how they heat the place, as they are quite large and need a lot of heating to keep them warm, especially in cold places like the far north. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are critical components of airport infrastructure, providing thermal comfort for passengers, employees, and equipment, and ensuring that indoor air quality meets health and safety standards. HVAC heating maintenance is particularly important in airports, where large and complex HVAC systems are required to regulate temperature and humidity in vast areas with high occupancy levels. Regular HVAC heating maintenance in airports can help to prevent breakdowns, reduce energy costs, and prolong the lifespan of equipment. Here are some key aspects of HVAC heating maintenance in airports: Inspection: HVAC technicians should conduct regular inspections of heating equipment, including boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps, to identify any signs of wear and tear, leaks, or malfunctions. This can involve visual checks, temperature readings, and pressure tests. Cleaning: HVAC systems can accumulate dust, dirt, and debris over time, which can reduce efficiency and pose a health hazard. Regular cleaning of air filters, ducts, coils, and vents can help to maintain optimal airflow and indoor air quality. In summary, HVAC heating maintenance is essential for ensuring a comfortable and healthy indoor environment in airports. A comprehensive maintenance program should include regular inspections, cleaning, lubrication, calibration, repairs, and upgrades. By prioritizing HVAC maintenance, airports can save money, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the experience of passengers and employees.

 

a/c service

Looking for a new thermostat

Today we will go to the store and do some shopping.

The winter is coming to an end and now is the best time to buy a winter coat.

I really need one as mine is falling apart, so hopefully the stores have some sales on them and I can get one at a good price. We are also going to look at buying a new thermostat for our system today. A thermostat is an essential component of any HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, as it controls the temperature and humidity levels in your home or office. If you’re looking to buy a new thermostat for your HVAC system, here are a few things to consider: Compatibility: Before purchasing a new thermostat, it’s important to make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system. Most thermostats are designed to work with specific types of systems, such as central air, heat pumps, or electric baseboard heating. Make sure to read the product specifications to ensure that the new thermostat is compatible with your system. Features: Thermostats come with a range of features, from basic temperature control to advanced programmable settings. Some of the popular features include Wi-Fi connectivity, voice control, and automatic scheduling. Think about which features are important to you and your lifestyle, and choose a thermostat that meets your needs. Overall, buying a new thermostat for your HVAC system can be a worthwhile investment, as it can help you regulate the temperature in your home or office and save on energy costs. Be sure to do your research, read product reviews, and compare prices to find the best thermostat for your needs.

a/c care plan