interesting info for the arsenal in the battle of steam versus forced air

gerry gill

I have just picked up a customer who moved here from Virginia, (to Ohio). He has houses in both states. He sent me this email yesterday as we have recently done some work at his house. I just thought it was rather interesting as the house he has here was built in the twenties and his Virginia house is essentially new. Enjoy-

Copy and pasted from customers email-'' I think I am with you on heating with steam after receiving my gas bill in Virginia for the past month. Ohio is 10 degrees cooler on average than Virginia and my Virginia home was built in 2000 so the insulation is pretty good. Last February I just installed two new gas furnaces with two stage burners so it can go into low flame mode for a long burn. In addition it has a heat pump unit for when the weather is above 45 degrees so as not to burn gas unnecessarily. While the home is only 3500 sf as compared to this 7700 sf of this place the cost per sqft in Cleveland Heights is a bargain with steam. The OH house bill adjusted to 4 weeks instead of 5 would have been $425 and the VA house was $300. So the OH house is more than twice the size, leaks like crazy with no insulation and in a colder climate and still the bill was only 40% more than the VA home. I am sold on steam heat.''

KC_Jones

That is interesting.

Mark N

Were the thermostats in both houses set to the same temp?

Gordy

Way to many variables to iron out, All though I do believe in the steam being more efficient verses Farced air.

A btu per degree day per square foot number would say a lot.

Steamhead

He should call Dan Foley and have him put steam in his Virginia house. Maybe the first mini-tube system in that state?