Energy Sources - Download our Excel spreadsheet, which will allow you to evaluate and compare heating energy sources from gas, oil, heat pumps (air source and ground source) even biomass in this case soft and hard woods and also wood pellets. An added plus is that wood is a renewable resource and is carbon neutral. However, at this point, the only wood appliances that can be legally installed in the state of Washington are certified wood stoves. Wood fired boilers are not allowed even though some of the wood gasification boilers are high efficiency and virtually smoke free.
But before you consider energy heating sources, consider your insulation and window choices. Insulation properly installed will pay dividends in winter heating and summer cooling. While heating systems and even the methods of heat delivery can be changed there is usually one chance in a building's life to insulate and do it right. Included is the proper sealing of the house from outside air leaks. Again sealing air leaks is far more effective during construction when the walls are open. Building codes set the minimum insulation values but only the minimum. There are a number of insulation choices available as well as construction techniques. For instance applying an outside insulation layer will increase installation value but will also eliminate through wall conduction. Window placement, window glazing, all to be considered. The first phase of our design service is the heat loss calculation or Load Calculation. (Note: See "HVAC Calcs, Standards and Discussion" under the More...Other Resources tab.) A part of this is an evaluation of the building insulation system. In this regard the earlier you involve us the more effective we can be. |
Download The Heating Fuel Calculator Spreadsheet
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