Somerville HeatSmart CoolSmart program opportunity extended

[mem_winterhill]

I wrote up my experience with the HeatSmart/CoolSmart city program for these heat pump systems. It has been extended to Feb 15, so if your heating system is creaking at this point, might be worth a look.

https://whna.dreamwidth.org/14376.html

Happy to answer any questions.

Comments

[vonelftinhaus]

Thank you MeM; I had noticed your earlier/original post and had thought about it but as usual it had slipped my mind. I scheduled last night and sure enough received a phone call & email from one of the companies; NETR. I figure they have a deadline for scheduling and the contract so they literally were able to schedule 3 hours after I called - alas I was not available so the next day will do.

The systems have advanced even over the last 5 or so years so I am definitely interested in these for cooling and heating.

Was curious the brand/brands they use? I had been told that Fujitsu is a solid brand along with Mitsubishi.

Also you had mentioned you have an existing heating system, which we do also, I believe you had said steam/radiator. Have found out recently that the boiler system in that unit does use a lot of natural gas the winter months; Dec-March or so. I figure this will help along with that system or will you use this new system over it? Our home is old also, 1884 about (it was not here in 1874), but a bit of work has been done over the last 10 years which has helped to tighten it up insulation wise. The heating system itself was installed in 2003 before we moved in so that is good.

I had also signed up for the solar estimate but did get a bit trigger shy with the price. Though a major factor was our slate roof - I know that the installer selected by the city was able to install on slate. I felt it relied more on my choice with the age of the home/roof and the general appearance of the slate - I get an immense "can of worms" feeling from the roof. Would very much like the option in the future

Thank you again

[mem_winterhill]

Oh, right, slate roofs are a challenge. Sorry to hear that didn't work out. Totally understand, though.

You can see all the heat pump equipment that's available right on the HeatSmart page.

From here: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/somerville-energy-efficiency-now-seen/heatsmart-coolsmart-somerville

Go to the "pricing..." tab. And then click the "detailed pricing guide" button. I think they limit the choices in order to give us the discounted pricing like a group purchase--but you can talk to the installers and see if they have other choices. I don't know about that.

Because it's new I'm not sure yet how much I can slice off the natgas furnace use. And I'm also a little wary of losing heat in the basement during the cold times if I completely abandon that furnace. There's still a second one in there for the other unit (my housemate can't do the heat pump right now) so I'm going to try to cut way back--but in the coldest cold I'd rather pay for a little natgas and save my pipes, you know? So my plan is co-existence while the furnace still works (ours came with the house in 2000, so it's not young either). But to cut as far back as I can. If the furnace ever has to get replaced then I think I'd probably heat pump zone that later.

I got a smaller unit than some people would, but partially because my house is now tight from the blown-in insulation we did (this was the cheapest, best upgrade we ever did for the money; came out of an energy audit with amazing deal). And I already have replacement windows too. So I think I can get away with a smaller unit.

But every home is different. Right now, though, while incentives are good, it's certainly worth investigating. Good luck!