Brownstone Boys: Heating and Cooling Options to Consider When Renovating

Welcome to the 61st installment of Brownstone Boys Reno, a reader renovation diary about renovating a brownstone in Bed Stuy.

We grew up in Las Vegas and New Orleans (Happy Mardi Gras!). Although we’ve both been in Brooklyn for decades now, we were raised with very different types of heating and cooling systems from what is typical here — ones that usually focus more on cooling a space rather than heating it. Here in New York it’s often the opposite but they are both important. Traditionally these old buildings focused on heating, and they relied on the masonry walls, tree-lined streets, and tall windows to cool it. But today you’d be pressed to find someone renovating one and not putting in an AC system. The question that has come up for us: Does putting in a cooling system change the thought process on how to heat your home?
radiator bathroom

While it wasn’t necessary to add a unit to our guest bathroom, we did add new heat and a baby radiator to the room. Probably the cutest thing in the whole renovation!

If your place hasn’t been renovated in a while you likely have steam or water radiators or forced air to heat your home. All three are tried, tested and effective for heat even in very low temps. New-construction or older buildings that have been gut renovated may have a central HVAC system delivering both heating and cooling through ducts. In our case we had a boiler delivering hydronic heat through baseboard radiators. We didn’t like the look of them and wanted more traditional exposed radiators. So we changed all of the radiators and piping that delivered hot water to them. But that didn’t help us cool the place! For that we installed a mini split system throughout the house. We didn’t want to run the ducts necessary for central AC or a Unico system.

We went with an LG mini split system that also has a heat pump for heating. We have the radiator system running to heat the place regularly, but occasionally if we want to speed up the process or just make it even cozier we’ll turn on the mini split in heat mode. In not a very long time at all it is so warm that we forget it’s even winter outside.
bedroom

Our split units were positioned in the early stages of planning our renovation. We wanted them to be as discreet as possible

It raises the question: Could we just heat our home with the mini split units? Many people have asked and the consensus has been that you could use a mini split system to supplement but not necessarily as a primary heat source with the low temperatures we can get in the northeast. Our mini split system specs say that it has 100 percent heating capacity to 5 degrees and “continuous heating operation down to 13 degrees” below zero. That leads us to believe that our mini split system will not effectively heat when it is 13 below or colder. Nevertheless, some people are doing it. And we have heard no complaints from those who we know who have only a mini split system to heat their home. Apparently the technology is getting better for heating so that in the near future, if not now, heating with a mini split system will be a safe choice.

How much does a mini split system cost to install? It can vary depending on what brand you go with and some installation details but a four to five unit system might run you $4,000 to $7,000 and installation could run $12,000 to $18,000. Keep in mind costs for additional electrical work and drywall/plaster repair where the lines are run.
AC condenser

We went with one LG Condenser, which is all we need with four units in the house

We’ve also seen a lot of places with a ducted forced air heating system. You may have seen the old grates on walls and floors that carry the warm air to each room. For AC, rather than install a mini split system you can just add an AC coil to use the existing ducts for cool air. That option is likely a lot cheaper than installing mini split units which will need electricity and drainage run to them with a lot of drywall and plaster repair once they are installed. To add an AC coil to a forced air heating system can run $10,000 to $12,000.

The last option that we have seen recently is installing hydronic radiant floor heat with a mini split system for AC. It seems like a combination that will deliver a comfortable feel but not necessarily be a budget saver to install.
closet

Another unit hides next to our closet in the master bedroom. We put the heat on for a couple minutes and the room is fully heated

Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems Market Regulations and Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2019-2026

Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems Market Insights 2018, is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems industry with a focus on the Global market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2018-2025 global Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems market covering all important parameters.


The key points of the Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems Market report:

The report provides a basic overview of the Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology.

The report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2018-2025 market shares for each company.

Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global total market of Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export.

The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis.

The report then estimates 2018-2025 market development trends of Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out.

The report makes some important proposals for a new project of Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems Industry before evaluating its feasibility.


There are 3 key segments covered in this report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment.

For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems are included:



The following manufacturers are covered:
Aircraft Northwest
Northrop Grumman
VSMPO-AVISMA
Airparts
JIMA Aluminum
AeroSpace Aluminum Products
Taber Extrusions
Henan Mingtai Aluminum
Kaiser Aluminum

Segment by Regions
North America
Europe
China
Japan
Southeast Asia
India

Segment by Type
Aluminum Alloy
Copper Aluminum Alloy
Others

Segment by Application
Military
Civilian

Reasons to Purchase this Report:

* Estimates 2018-2025 Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems market development trends with the recent trends and SWOT analysis

* Market dynamics scenario, along with growth opportunities of the market in the years to come

* Market segmentation analysis including qualitative and quantitative research incorporating the impact of economic and policy aspects

* Regional and country level analysis integrating the demand and supply forces that are influencing the growth of the market.

* Competitive landscape involving the market share of major players, along with the new projects and strategies adopted by players in the past five years

* Comprehensive company profiles covering the product offerings, key financial information, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and strategies employed by the major market players

CaloriSMART Compares Magnetocaloric Ability of Materials to Provide Heating and Cooling

Gas compression-cycle-cooling is the standard used today for air conditioning and refrigeration. It is an old and very mature technology. The outdated cooling technology is one of the most pressing issues of a rapidly growing global population. The problem with the current standard is that It uses too much energy and it tends to depend on greenhouse gases as the refrigerant.

One possible alternative cooling technology is called magnetocaloric cooling. It uses an active solid material that can provide heating or cooling depending on the magnetic field surrounding that material and how it is varied. This system uses an active solid, and the thermal phenomenon is also reversible.

For the last two decades, materials engineers searching for compounds that can generate strong thermal effects when cyclically acted upon by a magnetic field.

But how those materials will perform in an actual refrigeration system is best answered through engineering, so Ames engineers built a testing device they call CaloriSMART (Caloric Small-scale Modular Advanced Research Test-stand). It can rapidly test new materials to see how well they would work in a magnetocaloric refrigerator. It was developed and built three years ago, and it has put Ames in a good position to develop the cooling technology.

Lucas Griffith, a researcher at Ames National Lab, sits next to CaloriSMART, a device that tests a material’s exergetic quotient—a measure of how strong a material’s magnetocaloric effect is.Lucas Griffith, a researcher at Ames National Lab, sits next to CaloriSMART, a device that tests a material’s exergetic quotient—a measure of how strong a material’s magnetocaloric effect is.

The device tests materials’ cooling capabilities using small quantities of the material  in just a few hours and is flexible enough to test the same material in different forms. The device has already demonstrated results that suggest the expected performance of a larger-scale system, and helped scientists discover a new way of benchmarking the performance of magnetocaloric systems—the exergetic power quotient.

Just as SEER is the current industry standard for describing the energy efficiency in current gas compression devices, the exergetic power quotient does the same type of ranking for magnetocaloric devices.

“We need to be able to see how well we’re using the most expensive component of the system, the magnetic field,” says Julie Slaughter, a researcher at Ames. “Having a metric that lets us compare the performance of these systems against {something missing} makes it easier to determine if we’re getting the maximum performance out of the material, or whether we need to be looking at inefficiencies in the system.”

Stay in Your Comfort Zone: Bay Area's Top HVAC Services

EBRD supports Western Balkans in decarbonizing district heating and cooling systems, improving energy efficiency in buildings

Replacing your home's heating or cooling equipment costs thousands of dollars. Even on cool days, such expenses could make you hot under the collar. So it makes sense to maintain your current equipment properly and get good repairs when needed. To make sure that your heating and air-conditioning systems work correctly, they must be properly installed and maintained—and you need someone to turn to when problems arise.

Bay Area Consumers' Checkbook's evaluations of area heating and air-conditioning services for quality and price will help you find a competent contractor. Through special arrangement with Patch, you can access Checkbook's updated ratings of local HVAC services for quality and price free of charge until April 10 via this link: Checkbook.org/PatchSFB/HVAC

In Checkbook's surveys, several companies were rated "superior" for "overall quality" by 90 percent or more of their surveyed customers. But not all contractors are up to the task: several scored much lower, receiving such favorable ratings from only 60 percent or fewer of their surveyed customers. Checkbook also found very big price differences. For example, to replace the control board for a Rheem gas furnace, Checkbook's undercover shoppers were quoted prices ranging from $325 to $785. To replace the condenser fan motor for a Goodman heat pump, prices ranged from $300 to $1,040.

Comparing prices for repairs is difficult, as you'll first probably need to have a company out to diagnose the problem. Since most companies charge hefty minimum fees just to show up, you'll likely have to pay something to find out the price of the repairs.

Before scheduling a repair, ask companies for details on their minimum fees and for their hourly labor rates. Because most repair work is performed on a time-and-materials basis, you can use this information to get an idea which companies are likely to be least expensive.

Once a company has diagnosed your problem, it should provide you a written fixed price to fix it. If the repair estimate is no more than a few hundred dollars, you may as well have the company go ahead with it immediately. If the estimate exceeds $500 or so, consider getting additional quotes from other companies.

If you need new equipment, it pays to shop around. Get several companies to prepare written proposals. Although obtaining multiple bids for new equipment will save most consumers thousands of dollars, most don't bother to do so. Differences in designs can affect how quickly and uniformly your system heats and cools your house, how much energy it consumes, how much noise it makes, and multiple other issues.

If you are considering buying new equipment, be skeptical about claims of cost savings from a more energy-efficient system. There may be substantial savings—and there are compelling public-interest reasons to install efficient equipment—but some companies exaggerate to sell new, or more expensive, systems (more efficient equipment costs more money). Get several companies to make proposals, ask for documentation of how much the new equipment will cut your energy bills, and ask questions. You can calculate your own estimates by using the U.S. Department of Energy's Home Energy Saver tool at hes.lbl.gov.

For an illustrative home, Checkbook estimated how energy costs are affected by purchase of new equipment with varying energy efficiency ratings and found:

· For furnaces, it usually makes sense to pay extra for a more efficient furnace, compared to buying a minimally efficient model. The resulting energy savings from more efficient equipment quickly "pays off" extra purchase costs.

· Because all new central air conditioners are required to be fairly energy efficient, in this area it usually does not make financial sense to pay more for a highly efficient model.

· If you're replacing both your furnace and air conditioner, consider buying a hybrid system that uses an air-source heat pump backed by an efficient (90+ AFUE) gas furnace. Such systems offer low energy costs, but since they cost a lot more up front than standard furnace-A/C combos, it takes longer for their energy savings to offset those extra costs.

· Ground-source heat pumps provide the lowest annual heating and cooling bills, but these systems are extremely expensive to purchase and install—typically more than $24,000, even after factoring in generous available tax and utility company incentives. But because of the energy savings and long life spans (about twice those of conventional equipment), it makes financial sense to consider them if you know you'll be in your house for a long time.

· Look for energy-saving features such as variable-speed blowers and two-stage burners.

· If you're planning an addition or seeking to improve heating or cooling conditions for one room or an upper floor, consider getting a ductless system. These units, common in Europe and in hotel rooms, allow you to control temperatures in just one space. And because they use very little electricity and don't lose a lot of energy transmitting air through ductwork, they are highly energy efficient.

· Investing thousands of extra dollars in ultra-efficient equipment makes no sense if your home is drafty or poorly insulated, or you set your thermostat to a tropical temp during the winter. Before upgrading your equipment, make sure your attic is well-insulated and seal up easy-to-fix leaks (at Checkbook.org, you'll find advice on these topics). The best way to cut home energy costs is the most obvious one: Dial down your thermostat and get and use a programmable thermostat.

Heating and air-conditioning services are likely to push for annual professional maintenance visits, and many will offer a maintenance contract. Such frequent professional service may not be needed if you are diligent about the most important maintenance task: replacing air filters whenever they get dirty.

Whether you need repairs or a new unit, pay with a credit card. If you are dissatisfied with the work, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company.

EBRD supports Western Balkans in decarbonizing district heating and cooling systems, improving energy efficiency in buildings

Renewable energy sources can be used in district heating and cooling systems without increasing citizens’ energy bills or heating plants’ and local governments’ costs, while at the same time significantly contributing to the quality of the environment, primarily by reducing air pollution, says Bojan Bogdanović, Principal Fund Manager for Renewable District Energy in the Western Balkans at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The Fund is working on a number of projects aimed at decarbonizing district energy systems across the region –  in Pančevo, Bor, Novi Sad, Niš, Sarajevo, Valjevo, Šabac, Zrenjanin, and Žabljak – which were developed in cooperation with heating plants and local governments and tailored to their needs and abilities.

Simultaneously, work is under way on expanding the scope of cooperation with other cities in the region.

The goal, according to Bogdanović, is to enable a sustainable development of district heating and cooling systems, rather than just solve individual problems.
What are the potentials for the application of renewable energy sources in district heating and cooling systems in the region? Which specific renewable sources do you have in mind?

If a separate solution is prepared for each city, according to its needs as well as abilities, which is what we are doing at the Fund, then opportunities are everywhere.

Renewable energy sources can be introduced in district heating and cooling systems without jeopardizing the living standards of consumers.

A very important thing in the preparation of any of our projects is to make sure that the proposed solution does not increase citizens’ heating costs or local governments’ expenditures. These costs can even be reduced, and we should also so keep in mind that the introduction of renewable energy sources brings a better environment and much cleaner air to all of us, as well as to the future generations, because they substitute the currently dominant fossil fuels – coal, oil products (fuel oil and light fuel oil) or natural gas.

The Fund focuses on the development and implementation of the following technological and technical solutions: solar thermal projects, heat pumps, geothermal energy, waste heat, biogas, and the energy of seas, lakes, and rivers.
Last year the ERBD set up the Renewable District Energy in the Western Balkans (ReDEWeB) Fund. What are the fund’s objectives?

The Fund was set up in 2019 in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance as the principal donor, in order to boost investment in the application of renewable energy sources in district heating and cooling systems.

Investments are made through the preparation of projects and feasibility studies, improvements to regulatory frameworks that encourage private investors to invest in renewable energy sources, the introduction of renewables in local governments’ development plans, and the financing of projects.

The Fund covers Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Its goals are to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix in order to meet the obligations from the Energy Community Treaty, support the market for renewables, build thermal storage facilities, improve energy efficiency in district heating systems, and create conditions for the private and public sectors to implement sustainable investments in this field.
How does the Fund operate?

The EBRD is a financial institution, but it is very important to note that the bank does not just provide financing, but also builds partnerships with local and international organizations and institutions, such as the ministries in charge of energy in Western Balkan countries, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Serbian Association of District Heating Plants, or Euroheat & Power, a European network of heating plants and district heating professionals.

This cooperation supports local governments and helps district heating plants find solutions tailored to the actual needs and local conditions. For example, together with our partners in Pančevo, Bor, Niš, Novi Sad, and Zrenjanin, we have determined that solar thermal technology can be the best solution for these cities.

This technology enables the utilization of solar thermal energy not only in summer months, but also in winter, thanks to surpluses generated during the summer and stored in the facility.

Underfloor air conditioning system preserves historic London building

The restoration of historic London building Pennybank Chambers has used a unique underfloor air conditioning system to allow for contemporary office space to be built into the building’s original brick façade

The underfloor air conditioning system from AET Flexible Space has allowed the new upper office floors of Pennybank Chambers to benefit from the natural light of full height ceilings and the building’s original windows curved around the building.

Preservation of the building’s original features was essential because it is located in the Clerkenwell Conservation Area.

Make use of space

The unique underfloor air conditioning (UfAC) system provided by AET makes use of the space beneath the existing 170mm raised access floor void to create the air ventilation path, eliminating the need for ceiling-based services and the associated duct and pipework. This means that floor-ceiling heights can be maximised, and also works extremely well in older buildings where a lowered ceiling would partially obscure the original windows.

Each of the six floors of office space at Pennybank Chambers is supplied with chilled or warmed air via AET’s Conditioned Air Module (CAM) unit. The conditioned air is then delivered into the space using a number of recessed fan terminals (Fantile™). There is a considerable amount of flexibility in where these fan terminals can be placed, allowing for easy reconfiguration depending on the particular needs or layout of an office. The fan terminals fit seamlessly into the new metal tiled floor fitted throughout the 1,037 sq ft of office space.

For maximum flexibility, each fan terminal is supplied with onboard ‘Fanspeed’ and ‘Set Point’ adjustment, but in meeting rooms and cellular space AET offers Flextouch™ wall-mounted controllers which allow end-users not only to adjust the fan speed and temperature but also to monitor and control CO2 and humidity levels.

In addition to the refurbishment behind the original façade, the project also added a new fully glazed roof extension and terrace to make use of the exceptional views across the City.

Designed by Charles Henman and William Harrison, Pennybank Chambers was originally built in 1880 by the National Penny Bank Corporation Limited. The rebuild was designed by Emrys Architects, who wanted to preserve the historic façade of the original building, while at the same time delivering light and airy contemporary office space.

AIR CONDITIONING

Keeping your home cool in the summer not only provides you with comfort from the sweltering heat but also keeps your family safe. At Macklin Heating & Cooling, our team is licensed and certified, providing you with professional air conditioning services that you can depend on all season long.

• Installation: Our team has the expertise to professionally install the right size and capacity central air unit for your home. Our services provide you with high efficiency and quality performance from your equipment throughout the warm summer months.

• Maintenance: In order to keep your unit safe and operating at peak performance, we recommend you have your unit maintained at least once a year. This allows us to change filters, inspect your equipment, and ensure there is no service required before operating.

• Proper Sizing: The right size central air conditioning unit not only gives you the cool air you need, it also provides you with substantial savings on your energy costs and reduces wear and tear on your equipment.

• Repair: From routine repairs to 24/7 emergency services, our teams ensure your unit has the updated parts and equipment it needs to continue to provide you with cool air all summer long.
Air Conditioner Service & Repairs

When your air conditioning stops working, it’s imperative that you have a team of experts with the capabilities to be able to diagnose, repair, and maintain your equipment quickly and efficiently. At Macklin Heating & Cooling, our certified, licensed team of A/C service and repair professionals are on-site delivering you results you can depend on.

• Diagnostics: When your air conditioner begins to malfunction, our experts will analyze your unit to determine the cause of your issue. Once we have an understanding of your problem, we will generate an A/C service and repair plan to ensure your equipment is back up and running as quickly as possible.

• Service & Repair: Once we have completed our diagnosis, our team gets to work servicing and repairing your unit. We keep you informed for the duration of your service call, ensuring you understand the issue and feel comfortable with our air conditioner service recommendation. With flat rate pricing, we don’t overcharge you or sell you upgrades you don’t need.

• Replacements: If your A/C unit is beyond repair, our certified experts will recommend a new system and install your new replacement unit the same day it is delivered.

• 24/7 Emergency Services: Day or night, when your A/C unit malfunctions our team of experts are available to diagnose and repair your equipment, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Air Conditioner Maintenance

In the summer, it can be dangerously hot outside, making it imperative to have an A/C unit that is operating efficiently. When our certified, licensed technicians perform yearly air conditioner maintenance on your units we ensure your systems are safe, up-to-date, and running at peak performance.

• 21 Point Inspections

• Replace A/C Filters

• Inspect For Proper Operating Conditions

• Replace / Repair Any Necessary Parts

Our air conditioner maintenance services are conducted by one of our certified, licensed professionals in the spring. From replacing filters and valves to a comprehensive inspection of your equipment, we make sure your systems are in prime operating condition before the start of summer. When you sign up to be a member of our Safe Comfort Club, you will automatically receive your A/C maintenance service, as well as additional program benefits, every year.

Ductless Mini-Splits

Keeping your home cool throughout the hot, summer months is imperative to your comfort and your health. Whether your home has a non-ducted heating system or you’re looking to cool off areas that are not connected to your central air, the experts at Macklin Heating & Cooling would recommend installing a ductless mini-split. Designed to provide an alternative to traditional central air systems, these flexible, versatile electric units effectively keep your space cool all season long.