Recent comments in /f/massachusetts

heklakatla t1_j43cj46 wrote

Reply to Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

Heat pumps are great. If you are doing new construction you might consider looking at a geothermal HP as well. A lot of folks question it due to the initial cost of the well but the folks I know with them swear by them. Heat. Hot water. A/C.

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Itscool-610 t1_j43ar7j wrote

Reply to Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

I was just going to post something similar, so thank you.

I’m doing 1000sq foot 2 story addition and thinking of doing ductless heat pumps exclusively. (and apply for mass save rebate)

I currently have forced hot air/air conditioning in the existing part of the house and wondering if I can get away with the ductless heat pumps for the addition. I’ll have a gas fireplace on the first floor addition, but just a bedroom on the second floor. Anyone know if this is even allowed in MA? Or will I have to have my existing system ducted into the new space for backup?

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paganlobster t1_j43652h wrote

Reply to comment by Frunk2 in In MA, single women over 65 are more economically vulnerable than in any other state. Housing cost is a major factor. by Creative_Law_1484

>Adding to Judith's challenge was her determination to stay in the Newburyport area where she has friends, family and medical providers but where housing costs are high.
>
>Judith's desire to stay near her home community is not uncommon, according to Renata Rouke, director of Individual Homeless Services at CTI, who works with the many experiencing homelessness around Lowell.
>
>“They won't move,” said Rourke. “We explain to them, ‘There's more vacancies, there's more affordable housing in other parts of the state.’ But they will stay homeless rather than leaving their community.”

TL;DR she wants to be close to what little support she has left. Makes perfect sense to me. There is no affordable housing in those states for her either, if she was already struggling to pay ~$600/mo in rent, and she also would likely not qualify for as much support as she does in MA.

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techorules t1_j434wqh wrote

Reply to comment by Dmurphy2016 in Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

If your new construction includes air ducts for forced air then just make sure the ducts are specced big enough for heat pump heating because I've been told that "older" forced air duct work is often inadequate. Shouldn't be an issue for you but thought I would mention. Was not an issue for me in my 15 year old house.

Also look at hybrid heat pump electric hot water heater. Those also save tons of money and would help you avoid needing to burn fossil fuels in your house - no need for a oil/propane furnace. Propane and oil are both insanely expensive. If it were me no way would I sign up on oil/propane reliance. Before I converted I was being charged well over $4/gal for propane. Crazy expensive. I have favorable math because my electricity is cheap (~$0.13/kWh) but even with more expensive electricity prices avoidance of oil and or propane is very wise IMO.

If you go full blown electrification as I did (I even got an EV last year) just make sure you plan for 50 amp circuit for air handler backup heat, and a 40 amp circuit for hybrid electric hot water heater.

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individual_328 t1_j434mam wrote

Reply to comment by Dmurphy2016 in Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

You can do hot water with your heat pump too. Like the previous poster said, you really don't need oil or propane backup. If the temp gets so low the heat pump doesn't do much you can get temporary old school resistance heat through the same unit. Yeah, it's more expensive when it runs that way, but it will rarely be used. Certainly not more expensive than installing an entire second heating system.

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Banea-Vaedr t1_j4348y7 wrote

Reply to comment by WinsingtonIII in In MA, single women over 65 are more economically vulnerable than in any other state. Housing cost is a major factor. by Creative_Law_1484

>I would absolutely support more development in Springfield, but does Springfield itself have a housing crisis? I just checked zillow and there are many houses in the $200,000 to $300,000 range in and around Springfield, it doesn't exactly seem like housing prices there are out of control. The issue seems to be more that there aren't enough good-paying jobs in Springfield, not housing.

There's not enough economic development in Springfield. A few labs or expanding the armored would solve that issue pretty quickly. Economic development there would solve some of the issues for people further East and put a solid dent in homelessness.

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NerdWhoLikesTrees t1_j433yl5 wrote

Reply to comment by paganlobster in Mass. leaders are eyeing free community college — at least for some residents by SAT0725

They were told "....I don't think you know what community college is." even though they literally went to bunker hill.

However relevant their experience actually is/was, I don't know.

But if I got my Associates at a community college and someone then told them that I don't know what community college is, yeah, I'd respond too lol.

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Dmurphy2016 OP t1_j433c9m wrote

Reply to comment by techorules in Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

Doing my research.. going to be doing new construction. Thinking of doing heat pump with oil/propane backup ( also needed for hot water) but just looking for opinions as I’m new to the heat pump thing.

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Dmurphy2016 OP t1_j4330jj wrote

Reply to comment by DunkinRadio in Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

I wish we could take advantage of mass save! Unfortunately our town has a municipal power co so we can’t take advantage of the rebates. But our power is a lot cheaper. We are building a new construction so trying to decide our heating/ cooling. Definitely doing forced air. Thinking of doing heat pump and oil backup/hot water (have had oil never propane so not sure about that route) but may do propane not sure yet.

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techorules t1_j433058 wrote

Reply to Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

Have a 5 ton Mitsubishi hyper heat ducted whole house heat pump here in my 2250 sq ft house. Wonderful system, no issues even when extremely cold. Never needed it yet but there is an add on to the ducted air handler that provides additional electric resistor heat should it be needed. So don't buy into crap that HVAC guys tell you such as you need a backup gas furnace. You don't if you get Mitsubuishi hyper heat with ducted air handler. Mini splits are better than nothing but I far prefer a ducted system. I wouldn't touch anything other than Mitsubishi personally.

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March_Latter t1_j432grl wrote

Reply to Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

I have a Gree 30kBTU with two units, an 18 and a 12. I bought it due to being on the Mass Rebate list due to Seer rating. Down to about 40 degrees outside I use it almost exclusively. Below that is where the efficiency starts to dive and I have a Navien for heat so I switch to that with Nat gas. My electric bill has not been higher than $120. My gas bill has not been higher than $230 and includes hot water and stove.

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nattarbox t1_j4327u8 wrote

Reply to Let’s talk heat pumps by Dmurphy2016

We've got two ductless head units on a 24k condenser for a 1200sqft townhouse. Got them installed primarily for the AC, but we ended up also using them for heat as well. I run them in conjunction with gas powered baseboard heat.

I've used them exclusively for an entire month in the winter while getting our furnace replaced, they were more than up to it. They're super efficient during the late fall / early spring for heat, and during this halfassed fake winter too.

I like using them for heat because it provides a nice warm breeze, and it brings the house up to temp in the morning way faster than baseboard can. Warm air moving around makes the whole place seem cozier. They help circulate the warm air from our high ceilings down too.

The AC is immaculate, keeps this place ice cold all summer.

Install process was super fast and non-invasive, day and half at most.

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