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Why I can no longer recommend Fujitsu mini-split heat pumps
Sadly, I can no longer recommend Fujitsu due to their unacceptable support and warranty policies. Poor product durability eliminates all cost savings gained from efficiency A home’s heating system is a...
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GE GeoSpring Heat Pump Water Heater
Intro In July 2014, I purchased this GE GeoSpring heat pump water heater to replace my existing all-electric water that had sprung a leak. Admittdely, it was an impulse buy because Lowes was having a...
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Heating Systems 101 – Learning the Lingo
She Blinded Me With Science! One of the toughest things about researching a new heating system is learning the tech talk. Your HVAC company will throw out all sorts of … Continue reading Heating...
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Why Does My House Smell?
People often ask: “why does my house smell?” Often, this is during the winter because your house is sealed up for months, with little fresh air. In fact, with tight, energy … Continue reading Why Does...
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Why Doesn’t My Mini-split Heat Pump / Air Conditioner Work?
I recently had an interesting question – a reader asked what could cause a Fujitsu mini-split air conditioner to cause the air to become *more* humid. In fact, they noted … Continue reading Why Doesn’t...
View ArticleHow Should You Insulate Your Attic?
One of the hottest topics in energy efficiency and building science is “how should you insulate your attic?” Why? Simply put, the attic has more impact on your efficiency and comfort than any other...
View ArticleWhat Temperature Should I Set the Thermostat to When Away for the Winter?
I recently received this question on Quora and decided to share the answer with readers there as well as on TedsTips. I hope this will save some of you from heartbreak after your winter vacation! A...
View ArticleWhat are the biggest electricity consumers in a typical home?
As a baseline, consider that typical homes in the United States consume on average 30–60 kilo-Watt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day (=900–1800 kWh per month) at a cost of $0.10-$0.20 per kWh. Those...
View ArticleIs Geothermal Worth It?
On paper, geothermal, or more accurately, Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP), are amazing. They pump out endless heat during the winter and cold during the summer at costs that are often much lower than...
View ArticleWhy can’t they make a thermostat that can keep the house at a constant...
Someone asked me this question, and I live this reality every day. Let’s look at what’s involved! Each room in the house has its own thermal loss and gain. To simplify, this is directly related to the...
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