Re: New paradigm for home heating automation and control

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:13:15 -0500, Pat Farrell <pfarrell@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote
in message  <DAZpf.66372$sg5.65148@dukeread12>:

>Brett Griffin wrote:
>> But there is that pesky price tag up front....
>
>Which OPEC is aware of. Their goal is to make as much
>current money as possible without overcoming your
>pesky up front costs.
>
>Seems to me that clean sheet designs for new houses can
>do a lot, but most of us have to focus on retro fitting.

Yup ;-)  My experience with old brick and stone homes is that the insulation
retrofitting is the most time consuming if done thoroughly (Remove inside
mouldings, attach stud wall to brick, insulate, wire, sheetrock, restore
moulding with extensions). It's also where the biggest environmental payback
is.

But there's also lot's to be done with HVAC system through HA  The fact that
electricity is now cost-competetive for heating in many more locations and
circumstances opens up more good possibilities. For example, heat strips and
associated wiring are easier and less expensive to add than hot water. So
why retrofit with hydronic when electrical underfloor is cheaper and easier
to install and less expensive to operate?

... Marc
MArc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org