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Five Radiant Zones

The structure is divided into five zones of radiant floor heating and five zones of panel radiator heating. The air side of the system features a custom fabricated duct system that is mastic sealed and foam wrapped. The home is divided into two zones of conditioned air served by a Carrier Infinity variable speed air handler and I9 SEER R-410A Infinity two-stage heat pump. Zoning is via the Carrier Infinity zone control system.

The air quality is managed by a Carrier Infinity Air purifier, Sanuvox 4000 Ultraviolet light, and Aprilaire 400 series humidification system. Air exchange in the very tightly constructed home is effected by a Venmar Duo 1.9 energy recovery ventilator. This unit provides both bath exhaust and air exchange for the home.

“One of the great features of the variable speed air system is its ability to transfer the Tulikivi stove's energy to the rest of the home by simply adjusting the fan speed in the “fan only” mode,” Patterson says. “This keeps the great room from overheating and increases efficiency by keeping the boiler off for longer periods.”

The boiler system is a Weil McLain Ultra 155 LP gas modulating boiler that serves the home's radiant, domestic hot water, panel radiator, and second stage hydro-heat needs. A tekmar TN4 system manages all of these operations and fine-tunes Btu use by managing the modulation of the heating appliance.

“Comfort was really the driver behind the design. Rick and Ginger wanted something state-of-the-art that would provide maximum efficiency and optimum control of space temperatures,” Patterson says. “Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) was also a high priority, and I think the package of components I assembled does the job admirably.” He adds that he used a Honeywell refrigerant analyzer to confirm optimal heat pump operation, and a laser particle counter to quantify air quality improvements.

Start up and balancing went smoothly. “I pay a great deal of attention to duct design, as properly sized and installed systems are very easy to balance,” Patterson says. “The zoning also helps areas needing more conditioning, as the satisfied zones shut down and the system focuses on the problem area.”

This home, from start to finish, has been an outstanding example of fine Design/Build construction — an old concept with a modern flair. “After Rick's surgery, he and Ginger assembled a fine group of contractors to help bring their dream home to reality. I was very proud that after having seen the quality at Caleb and Lynn's home next door, Rick and Ginger asked me to move forward with the same technology and attention to detail,” Patterson says.

Had the New England pioneers of this country's early days been able to travel forward in time to see this house, they would no doubt be impressed by the technology. But they probably would have been even more impressed that the American spirit of independence, and the values of quality, innovation, and dedication to customer service still lived on, as exemplified here by Orchard Valley Heating & Cooling.

EQUIPMENT LIST:

• Aprilaire 400 humidification system
• Carrier FE03 variable speed air handler and zoning system
• Carrier Infinity thermostats and zone control accessories
• Carrier Infinity 2-ton/2-stage 19 SEER heat pump w/R-410A
• Carrier Infinity air purifier
• Gastite gas piping
• Honeywell refrigerant analyzer
• Super Stor ss60 water heater
• tekmar TN4 boiler control/radiant mixing system
• Radson panel radiators and towel warmers
• Sanuvox 4000 UV system
• Uponor radiant system
• Uponor Pex radiant piping and panels
• Venmar Duo air exchange system
• Weil-McLain Ultra 155 gas boiler system