Coldest day of the year

RobertSmalls · 01-23-11, 09:09 PM

Today will probably be the coldest day of the year in Buffalo, with a low of -7°F. I took the opportunity to time my furnace for one cycle. I found approximately 32% duty cycle, with 19 minutes on followed by 41 minutes off. My thermostat is set for 1.5°F swing.

It's also the day of the year with the coldest infiltrating air, the greatest variation in temperature from one part of the house to the next, and the lowest indoor humidity.

I figure I spent about a therm of gas due to air infiltration alone, in addition to heat conducted through the walls. I really want a tightly sealed house that uses a ventilation fan (with heat exchanger) instead of infiltration to provide fresh air to the occupants. Additionally, it might be nice to have a fan that filters and circulates air within the house.

01-23-11, 09:09 PM	#1
RobertSmalls Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 344 Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts	Coldest day of the year Today will probably be the coldest day of the year in Buffalo, with a low of -7°F. I took the opportunity to time my furnace for one cycle. I found approximately 32% duty cycle, with 19 minutes on followed by 41 minutes off. My thermostat is set for 1.5°F swing. It's also the day of the year with the coldest infiltrating air, the greatest variation in temperature from one part of the house to the next, and the lowest indoor humidity. I figure I spent about a therm of gas due to air infiltration alone, in addition to heat conducted through the walls. I really want a tightly sealed house that uses a ventilation fan (with heat exchanger) instead of infiltration to provide fresh air to the occupants. Additionally, it might be nice to have a fan that filters and circulates air within the house.