Recent content by fromchaptico

I forgot to ask in my last post - is your hot water oil or electric?

Some of my bids are coming in with an extra zero attached to your numbers!! Yikes!!! I am actually more interested in the geothermal for its cooling and dehumidifying capabilities than for its heating power - though of course in this area we need both!

Dual system Thanks so much for your replies, everyone!! To those of you recommending a dual system - let me see if I understand what you mean. Basically, I would have either an air/air or geothermal system WITHOUT electric resistance backup - and then have a new (maybe smaller??) oil boiler...

Are the new ASHP you mention the 20 SEER systems, or something even more efficient? Unfortunately, since the house has no heat at this point, I won't be able to wait for something that isn't available now. I haven't done any analysis on the cost benefit and return on investment yet because I...

It looks like the back-up heat source is going to cost me some real money since it will require upgraded electrical service, etc. I would love not to need it, which is one of the reasons I was considering geothermal - but everyone is specifying it, so I guess if I go with one of these systems I...

You make a great point! Changing over to either air/air or geo with electric resistance backup is apparently going to require some extensive electrical work to get the amperage we need - an upgraded panel, etc. I'm not sure how much of the very large bid I received was the electrical piece, but...

My existing central air system, about 16 years old, is one 3 ton unit and one 2.5 ton unit. The contractor who specified two 3 ton units did run manual j calculations, so I hope it is accurate - but I too thought that 6 tons was a lot. The house has been insulated, but it is old and I'm sure...

Hi everyone, I have posted here before about the possibility of installing a geothermal system, and a bunch of you were kind enough to respond with information about your own experiences. My oil furnace has finally met its maker, so the to-geothermal-or-not-to-geothermal moment is finally at...

Ugh, thanks for the replies. I'm sorry to hear that. I figured it was either an accident or a criminal. Didn't want to go outside if it was the latter since they have been circling right over my house, not at all far from the circle.

There has been a helicopter circling over Chaptico and Clements for 20 minutes or so. Anyone know what's going on?

Thank you everyone!! I just made an appointment with Chesapeake Chimney Sweeps. The earliest they had was January 6! Oh well, it is the season. I will be glad to get it done. Thanks again for all the information and recommendations :)

Hi everyone, I need to have my chimneys cleaned. Any recommendations on someone to do this job? Also, any idea on an approximate cost per chimney? Thank you!

I have used Black Diamond Lawn Care to do some big clean ups for me, and to do some mowing before I got a big mower of my own. Dave Krahling was phenomenal - the lawn never looked better. Contact info on his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/krahlingenterprises

I have heard that! My electrician told me about a project he recently worked on where they put plastic down on the floor of the crawl space, insulated the walls of the crawl space but NOT the floor of the house, and then cut holes in the ducts to condition the crawl space. It is supposed to be...