Dear Friends,

This page is designed to give you information about the Heating Plant Replacement project.  Rachel, Tim, Maggie and Margot have collected recommendations and bids from three area HVAC contractors.  Attached (see link to the right) as resource documents are brochures for some of the equipment that has been recommended to us.

In the course of our discussions with these contractors, we have discussed traditional furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pump systems, and dehumidifying systems.  The primary foci of the discussions have been:

1) Improve efficiency of the heating system.  The current furnace and boiler are probably running 70% efficiency due to their age and design.  Our new systems will all be rated 90% or above.

2) Reduce moisture in the building, particularly in the lower level.  A built in unit has been recommended by all three contractors which costs significantly less electricity to run than the current "household" unit we have in the bathroom.

3) Install a reliable, programmable thermostat and timing system.  WiFi enabled units will also increase our ability to monitor the condition of the building remotely.

4) Increase air circulation in the lower level.  An addition duct will provide fresh air where (or when) there are no operating windows.

5) Zone heating.  Establish three distinct zones so that all three levels of the building can be kept at temperatures appropriate for their use.

At 9:30 on April 8th, Rachel and Margot will be available to answer any questions you might have about the research that has been conducted so far.  You may post thoughts or questions here.  Alternate proposals can be forwarded to anyone in the working group listed above or bring a full package of information to the discussion on the 8th.  The working group intends to make a recommendation to Business Meeting on April 15th.  Thank you for your interest and participation.