December 9, 2024 By John Borger, Hingham Net Zero
In our last post, we noted that, according to Hingham’s Climate Action Plan, heating and cooling (HVAC) is responsible for almost 70% of our emissions and is our biggest challenge in getting to net zero carbon emission in the town by 2040. To reach that goal, we must replace fossil fuel heating systems in approximately 7,800 homes with clean, efficient electric heat pumps. This means transitioning around 500 (7,800 divided by 15.5 years) homes each year to heat pumps. We urged homeowners to begin to plan their transition.
When one of three central air conditioning compressors failed last summer, Bob and Kathy Curley took a hard look at the other components in their system. Could the other two AC compressors be far behind? An aging air handler in the attic was gasping and wheezing. Feeding the oil burner in the basement was beginning to feel like burning greenbacks for fuel – except that it generated more emissions.
They knew that it was time to begin overhauling the system that had heated and cooled their house for many years but weren’t sure how to begin. Having already addressed their transportation emissions by opting for an EV and a hybrid car, they wanted to install a new HVAC system that would replace the failing air conditioning units and also provide energy efficient heat, while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint and oil fuel costs, all in a well thought-out, affordable package. They decided they needed a plan. Of course, it helps to have a long-time friend with his own HVAC company. So they called Jack Keller for help.
Jack completed a comprehensive review of their home. There were encouraging positives to leverage. For instance, the original owner had been a developer who custom-built the house and wisely designed it for energy efficiency, which included using 2X6 studs to maximize insulation in the walls. There were some formidable cost realities for the Curleys to deal with.
Just to replace the failing air conditioning units and air handler would have cost them nineteen thousand dollars, and that would still not reduce the eight thousand dollar annual heating oil bill generated by their oil burning furnace. Because the Curleys used heating oil, they were not eligible for the assistance that Mass Save extends to its gas heating customers and so the Curleys looked to alternative programs offered to oil customers by the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant. HMLP recommends as a first step a home energy assessment by its partner, Energy New England.
After reviewing the results of the home energy assessment, Jack completed a careful cost/benefit analysis and recommended that they install two large electric heat pumps sized to handle the main house (with the exception of a master bedroom wing ) and pair them with a new air handler matched to the capacity of the heat pumps. This system would give them both air conditioning and heating in an affordable, energy-efficient package that would provide four seasons comfort while minimizing carbon emissions.
Often, homeowners find that it is not feasible to revamp their systems in one fell swoop. The Curleys were self-financing their improvements and decided to defer total removal of the oil burner to a future phase. This unit was retained for the more manageable job of heating a master bedroom space, which still enabled them to dramatically reduce the amount of oil they were using.
The old air handler they replaced was such a behemoth that the demolition team had to cut it into several pieces so they could get it out of the attic. The entire project, including removal of old equipment and installation of the new heat pumps and air handler, was accomplished in just one week. Jack helped the Curleys complete the required Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant form and the HMLP heat pump rebate they received was a welcome, material contribution toward the cost of the new system.
The Curleys have more to do and, with Jack’s coaching, will continue to map out their plan to eventually eliminate the oil burner completely. Meanwhile, they are happy that they were able to deal proactively with a failing system and were able to transition most of their house to energy efficient heat pump technology without breaking the bank. And that eight thousand dollar oil burner bill has been drastically reduced.
You probably do not have a friend who owns an HVAC system, but you can conveniently obtain advice and information from one of Hingham Net Zero’s heat pump coaches. Trained by the Massachusetts HeatSmart Alliance and/or Rewiring America, an HNZ coach will help you assess goals, options, costs and available rebates and financing, enabling you to complete a plan. Request coaching from a Hingham Net Zero climate coach here: https://www.hinghamnetzero.org/climate-coaching.
Further assistance in evaluating HVAC company bids is available at no cost from HMLP’s partner Abode Energy Systems. Go to the web site of Abode Energy Management, HMLP’s customer support partner for heat pumps: https://abodeem.com/homeowners/select-your-mlp/hingham/
Act now, request a coach and start envisioning your emissions-free HVAC future. It helps to have a plan!
$8000.00 to heat a home with oil is more then I spend in 5 yrs
on my home heated with oilg