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At Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating, we understand the importance of selecting the right heating and cooling systems for your comfort and efficiency. This guide offers insights into making informed decisions for your home or business needs.
Guide to Choosing Heating and Cooling Systems
Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating, drawing from years of experience, recommends a select network of local builders and designers known for their exceptional quality and service.
Recommended Local Builders & Designers
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Research Thoroughly: Look into the contractor's past projects, insurance, and financial reliability.
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Value over Price: Seek the best value, not just the lowest price.
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Community Involvement: Check if the contractor is engaged with local communities and organizations.
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Employee Welfare: A good company cares for its employees, offering benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and profit sharing.
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Product Knowledge: Ensure the contractor is well-versed in the product, with adequate installation experience and training.
Choosing the Right Contractor
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Post-Sale Service: Investigate if the manufacturer offers robust support and technical assistance.
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Availability of Parts: Ensure that common repair components are easily accessible in your area.
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Life Expectancy: For instance, many wall-hung boilers have a lifespan of about ten years.
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Maintenance Requirements: Understand how often the system requires servicing to maintain efficiency and prevent breakdowns.
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Operational Costs: Compare the operational expenses with other products, considering energy efficiency and cost-saving features like weather responsiveness and variable speed motors.
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Warranty: Always check the product's warranty terms.
What to Consider When Selecting a Product
Choosing the right fuel type is a crucial aspect of selecting a heating system. Here's what you need to know:
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Energy Content and Efficiency: The cost-effectiveness of a fuel depends on its energy content and how efficiently it is converted to heat.
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Measuring Fuel: Fuels are measured in units like gallons, cubic feet, or kWh, and by their heat content in British thermal units (Btu). One Btu is the energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F.
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Comparing Fuel Costs: To compare fuel costs effectively, consider the price per unit, the number of units required to produce one million Btu, and the efficiency of the fuel conversion.
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Fuel Types and Btu Content:
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Fuel Oil (No. 2): 140,000 Btu/gallon
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Electricity: 3,412 Btu/kWh
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Natural Gas: 1,025,000 Btu/thousand cubic feet
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Propane: 91,330 Btu/gallon
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Wood (air dried): 20,000,000 Btu/cord or 8,000 Btu/pound
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Pellets (for pellet stoves; premium): 16,500,000 Btu/ton
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