EcoRenovator - View Single Post - New to heat pumps -- questions

Xringer · 12-04-11, 10:39 PM

I'm getting the impression those may be older single pane windows.?.
If they are, you might have found a way to cut your heat losses in half.

If they are double pane insulated windows, then you can still improve them
by making and installing interior plastic sheet 'storm' windows.
See this area.. Conservation - EcoRenovator

As to adding 'thermal mass', it's not something that most people start
off thinking about. First, there's the low-hanging-fruit. The easy stuff.

I looked at your City Data and saw your average lows during Dec & Jan
are not that low. 30F IIRC. Which makes it a nice place to live.

Looking at the temperature plot, I got the impression that you guys
hardly ever see a few weeks when it stays below 20F 24-7..

Find those low temperature specs, or buy a TED power monitor
and find out how much power your ASHP is using when it's really cold out.
You should be able to see how well it works in cold weather, by watching
the power use, and comparing it how well the systems are heating.

My ASHPs just coast along, turning off and on during mild weather.
Tonight, it's 45F outdoors, and both units are using low power intermittently.

When it goes down under 10F, I'll be able to tell when my systems
are running at full power, non-stop. That's when I need to start thinking
about turning down the thermostat for a few hours, or bringing out
a couple ceramic heaters..

12-04-11, 10:39 PM	#6
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I'm getting the impression those may be older single pane windows.?. If they are, you might have found a way to cut your heat losses in half. If they are double pane insulated windows, then you can still improve them by making and installing interior plastic sheet 'storm' windows. See this area.. Conservation - EcoRenovator As to adding 'thermal mass', it's not something that most people start off thinking about. First, there's the low-hanging-fruit. The easy stuff. I looked at your City Data and saw your average lows during Dec & Jan are not that low. 30F IIRC. Which makes it a nice place to live. Looking at the temperature plot, I got the impression that you guys hardly ever see a few weeks when it stays below 20F 24-7.. Find those low temperature specs, or buy a TED power monitor and find out how much power your ASHP is using when it's really cold out. You should be able to see how well it works in cold weather, by watching the power use, and comparing it how well the systems are heating. My ASHPs just coast along, turning off and on during mild weather. Tonight, it's 45F outdoors, and both units are using low power intermittently. When it goes down under 10F, I'll be able to tell when my systems are running at full power, non-stop. That's when I need to start thinking about turning down the thermostat for a few hours, or bringing out a couple ceramic heaters.. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..