patrickg
Veteran Member
Alan, I sent an email to the folks at "Home Energy" (Not to be confused with "Home Power" magazine with a virtual communist editor) essentially to try to get us some professional assistance. Their staff has folks from many respected organizations in the energy conservation arena, places like UC Berkely, Oak Ridge National Lab, Lawrence Berkely (Bezerkely?) National Lab, and so forth. Basicaly, I asked how to heat an intermittently occupied space with a goal of having a "shirt sleeve" environment and a mandatory requirement of working glove free. I gave additional requirements of quick response since advance scheduling was not possible, combustion air not to be taken from heated space for dust safety, and products of combustion to be vented outside the heated space for health and condensation/rusting considerations. Sure hope they get back to us. They may choose to reply in the "Letters" section of the magizine in which case we could get a reply in the Nov-Dec issue (about mid November). They may, of course, not reply at all.
Although intended more for the professional working in energy conservation applications of HVAC, this magazine is written at a level that most homeowners with a technical interest would appreciate. No harder to track than say Pop Mech or Pop Sci.but written a little more soberly (but not withought a little humor once in a while). NOt exactly a "Consumers Reports" of the HVAC world, they nevertheless require all advertisers to provide substantial proof of any energy claims made for products. No snake oil here!
Do not read anything negative between the lines here regarding any of the annecdotal reports of "I did such and such and it worked for me" All responses were interesting but I, for one, would like to get some engineering insight into what the experts think works well. Our collective experiences brobably do not come close to theirs in this area. Not to say that anyone is wrong for doing/liking their current system. If I had a much better income stream I would go in-floor hydronic with some additional radiant measures throughout all my spaces, including outside slabs, driveway aprons, and sidewalks and never shovel snow but it isn't realistic for me. I need to consider total installed cost of ownership/operation as well as performance.
In closing, this latest word from California. It seems that it is now essentially illegal in California for heating/cooling contractors to use duct tape on, dare I say it, DUCTS! The attachment is Alan Meier the executive editor of "Home Energy" with a roll in each hand and in case the writing on his cap isn't clear enough, it says, "Duck Tape Pro".
Patrick
Although intended more for the professional working in energy conservation applications of HVAC, this magazine is written at a level that most homeowners with a technical interest would appreciate. No harder to track than say Pop Mech or Pop Sci.but written a little more soberly (but not withought a little humor once in a while). NOt exactly a "Consumers Reports" of the HVAC world, they nevertheless require all advertisers to provide substantial proof of any energy claims made for products. No snake oil here!
Do not read anything negative between the lines here regarding any of the annecdotal reports of "I did such and such and it worked for me" All responses were interesting but I, for one, would like to get some engineering insight into what the experts think works well. Our collective experiences brobably do not come close to theirs in this area. Not to say that anyone is wrong for doing/liking their current system. If I had a much better income stream I would go in-floor hydronic with some additional radiant measures throughout all my spaces, including outside slabs, driveway aprons, and sidewalks and never shovel snow but it isn't realistic for me. I need to consider total installed cost of ownership/operation as well as performance.
In closing, this latest word from California. It seems that it is now essentially illegal in California for heating/cooling contractors to use duct tape on, dare I say it, DUCTS! The attachment is Alan Meier the executive editor of "Home Energy" with a roll in each hand and in case the writing on his cap isn't clear enough, it says, "Duck Tape Pro".
Patrick
