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Hampshire County Heating Installation Experts
One of Gary's priorities is educating people with the advantages of Radiant Floor Heating. Gary travels hundreds of miles every year going to seminars/work shops on high end heating. If the wild spike in oil costs opened your eyes a bit back in 2008, you've come to the right place.
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| Thank You Wilson Services! |
"Rock solid... flawless... on time... on budget... I would recommend
Gary, his company, and a Viessmann System... without reservation" -
Dave Allison |
Back in the 1990's, before the European boilers became popular, just about all boiler installations were traditional USA-made cast iron boilers. As you can imagine, there are thousands of these boilers throughout the Pioneer Valley. It is scary but true- even today many heating contractors install boilers without fully understanding proper piping procedures. Virtually all American boiler manufacturers ship their boilers with the circulator mounted on the return. Does that mean it should stay there? No way! Call Gary, he'll explain why most heating contractors are mistaken with the ole "this is how I was taught to do it and it works just fine" routine. Wilson routinely re-pipes boiler systems that were installed according to standards that became outdated years ago.
We mostly install hot water boilers, but steam boilers are no stranger to us either. As Dan Holohan says, "Steam was king" back in the early 20th century, and there are plenty of steam boilers replaced every year. Dan is a recognized authority on steam heating. Ironically enough, what would seem to be the easiest heating system to update (after all, how much technology is needed to boil water?), the opposite is quite true. There is a distinct difference in a heating contractor who knows how to pipe a modern steam boiler, and one who does not. Wilson has many customers who can attest to this fact, because they paid us to re-pipe their steam boilers after the original heating contract failed to install it properly. A home owner may say, "well, the local inspector came and passed it, it must be all set". You would be sadly mistaken, because the inspector is only required to focus on the fuel connection, the venting of the appliance and the water connection, and also to ensure the safety devices are in place. The inspector very likely will not fail an installation due to any 'distribution' related concerns.
European
radiators are becoming more and more popular in our country. Unlike
conventional hot water baseboard installations and (especially) warm air
heating, these units provide approximately 60% radiant heat. Radiant
heat is what we feel when we stand in the sun, what we're feeling is
actual rays of heat beaming at us. This makes for a much more
comfortable system, which also means the temperature can be lowered a
little, thus saving even more fuel. For example, we may feel chilly on a
65F day with overcast, however if the sun is out, we may very
comfortable in this weather. They also can be much more efficient due to
the fact that they produce heat with very mild water temperatures in the
fall and spring seasons. Installed in conjunction with an "outdoor reset
control", these heating units are the most efficient means of heating,
next to floor radiant heating.
Unlike a conventional baseboard system, this type of heating system can
be adjusted at every room. This can be very economical when certain
areas of the home are not always being occupied. Other reasons to
consider the European style radiator are their durability. Unlike the
thin sheet metal used with baseboard units, these radiators are very
durable. Also they can be installed anywhere in the bathroom. Most
baseboard systems are installed on outside walls. When the baseboards
are installed next to toilets, they tend to rust within several years.
They also are available in many different sizes allowing for one large
heater or several small units to heat the various rooms in the home.
Most average-sized rooms require only one radiator.
When it comes to electric to fuel heating system conversions, we really can make the process short and sweet. We've converted dozens of houses and apartments to gas/oil heating. When someone says, " I don't know if I can afford it", Gary responds with, " you can't afford not to do it". There was a day when electric heat was popular. There was an apartment complex here in Easthampton with a sign that boasted "Electric Heat" not too many years back. I think the building owner finally took the sign down though (finally- it was probably older than Gary!)
Heating and Cooling 101: Once you understand this
easy lesson, you'll know more about how energy is converted from a fuel
(gas or oil) to your living space. I dare might add that you'll know
more than a fair amount of heating contractors who simply know how to
hook up a boiler and flip the "on" switch.
Read More
Cut
Heating Costs: After last winter's fuel frenzy, I may not be alone
in trying to figure out how to reduce home heating costs. Based on what
I've learned at various workshops and research in the field of home
heating, I would like to share some information that may be helpful in
your present or upcoming heating system renovation or installation.
Read
More
Wilson Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Home | Contact
Phone: (413) 584-3317 Fax: 413-584-3377 Street Address: 474 Easthampton Rd. PO Box 1570 Northampton, MA