Energy Saving Technology

Technology That Matters:  What to Look for in New Heating Equipment

From our inception, we have actively searched the marketplace for the most energy efficient heating products available. The systems and equipment that we recommend utilize the best technology available.  The following is a brief overview of the features that make a difference. 

Modulated Firing = Boiler Efficiency

The single most important advancement in modern water heating equipment is modulated firing. The majority of boilers sold today, and all older boilers, have only two settings - on and off. When a home or building with an on/off type of boiler needs heat, the equipment comes on at 100% output. Once the room temperature is warm enough, the boiler shuts off. This on/off type of system is very inefficient. It is comparable to driving a car with full pedal to the floor acceleration. One of the biggest problems with an on/off boiler is that every time it shuts off, a large portion of heat is wasted up the chimney.  Specifically, convection, or the tendency of warm air to rise, pulls the hot air out of the boiler and draws it up the chimney. This is especially problematic in the spring and fall when the boiler cycles on and off more frequently. Modulated firing, like that found on the Buderus GB142 and Viessmann Vitodens, involves constantly changing the amount of gas that is burned to meet heating needs. In the spring and fall, when the home or building cools down slowly, the system burns a small amount of gas. As the home or building temperature drops, the boiler increases its firing rate. Just as a car can change its speed to meet changing road conditions, a boiler with modulated firing rate its output to match outdoor weather conditions. As a result, modulated firing boilers run more efficiently and offer better comfort than on/off boilers. Moreover, modulated firing is proven technology. In fact, the Buderus GB142 and Viessmann Vitodens boilers have been sold in Europe for almost twenty years.

Outdoor Reset of Boiler Water Temperature

Changing the temperature of the water that circulates through the radiators based on how cold it is outside is another important advancement in heating technology.  Systems with this type of reset constantly monitor the outdoor temperature.   As the temperature drops outside, the system automatically increases the water temperature.  Outdoor reset allows for better matching of heat loss to heat input.  Essentially, as the weather gets colder, the equipment knows that the home or building is going to lose more heat and will need hotter water.  By reducing water temperatures in the spring and fall, the systems save energy.  Additionally, this technology allows for more uniform space temperatures and better comfort.

Gas Hot Air Furnaces:

For homes or offices with forced hot air systems*, we recommend installing modulating gas furnaces that are matched to two-stage heat pumps. Modulating furnaces are recommended because they vary the combustion or burn rate to match specific heating requirements. This modulation offers better comfort and increased efficiency. Matching this technology with a two-stage heat pump allows the combined system to achieve efficiencies greater than 100 percent. This is possible when the outdoor air temperature is above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Essentially, the system is able to extract heat from the outdoor air.

*with air ducts