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The Difficulties of Residential Geo-Thermal Systems in New England

The U.S. Energy Information Administration states that more than half of the energy used in residential homes is directly spent on heating and cooling which means your HVAC system has the largest carbon footprint in your home. Traditional heating & cooling units heat the air it takes from outside by burning fossil fuels in a furnace or boiler or cools the air down in an air conditioning unit before it is distributed throughout the house. Geo-Thermal heating and cooling systems have been around since the late 1940’s but many homeowners do not choose this option when thinking of their heating and cooling system for various reasons. Geothermal heat pumps use the earth’s constant temperature 4-8 feet below the ground to exchange heat from the ground to your home or in the summer to send warm air from inside to the ground outside to cool your home. In comparison to a regular air source heat pump they are more quite, last longer and need little maintenance. However, a homeowner’s hesitation usually comes when they research the initial installation process which can run several times more expensive than an air source heat pump. There are three types of loop systems for geothermal energy. Vertical where the pipes are buried vertically into the ground in holes as deep as 400ft. Horizontal where the pipes lay in trenches that are about 4-6 ft deep. Lastly, the well water system where two boreholes are drilled deep into the ground. One hole is the source of the water and the other is the injection well. The most common method in New England is the vertical loop method since the soil is full of large rocks and thick tree roots. This method also causes the least disruption to the landscaping, however, it is the most expensive to install due to the equipment needed for drilling and the expertise required for proper installation. Since we are in New England, Wilson Brother has the most experience with the vertical loop geothermal energy method which starts with a soil condition assessment to see how much digging and drilling is needed and to make sure it is possible to install the geothermal heat pump system on the lot. This may be where the bus stops but if you get the green light, you can begin the installation process. Now the excavation process begins drilling deep down to create holes 6-8 inches in diameter around 200-500 feet deep for the pipes. Once the drilling is done, the pipe needs to be placed in the holes in a U-shape and filled with grout which helps with thermal conductivity eliminating air. A 5ft trench is dug back to your home and the unit is connected to the inside heat pump. This all may seem like it could take weeks to finish, however, the process can be done in a week depending on the amount of drilling needed. Once the geothermal system is all set-up, you can start to enjoy lower energy bills and it is estimated that the initial cost will be returned within 5 – 10 years. There are even more pollution benefits like the reduction of noise pollution since you won’t need an outside unit and cleaner indoor air quality that will reduce humidity which will keep you feeling comfortable and cozy in your home all year long. Source: https://www.pmmag.com/articles/103308-geothermal-the-model-of-environmentally-friendly
THE CHALLENGE
Before moving into their new home in Groton, MA, the Smith family decided to upgrade their heating and cooling system with the installation of a new condenser, air handling unit and all new ductwork. However, shortly after they moved in they started noticing yellowing on the walls and extreme humidity and moisture. They called the install company to come and help diagnose the problem, however, the mold and moisture continued. After several months of no solutions, they decided to call Wilson Brothers because they knew we had an excellent reputation with our customers. Our techs were dispatched out to their house and once on site they started to inspect the stains on the walls and the cracks in the ceiling that were damp with water stains. They went into the attic where the HVAC system was located and found two inches of water around the heating and cooling unit and throughout the duct work. They also saw that the roof insulation was wet and moldy. Our HVAC techs started to look around to see if they could find the origin of the problem when they noticed that the air handler was not only soaking wet but also laying on its right side when the unit was designed to lay on its left which was causing a draining problem. The techs were able to diagnose that the unit had froze and sent water down into the ducts causing the moisture and the mold. The family were extremely worried about the health consequences and tired from the stress this problem was causing.
THE SOLUTION
Wilson Brothers discussed the options with the customer and together they decided the best way forward was to remove all of the moldy insulation and install a new heating and cooling system with all new ductwork. Wilson Brothers knew that this new installation was going to be expensive and in an effort to save some cost for the homeowners, the tech was able to salvage the condenser unit. Reducing the disruption to the family from the installation was also priority for Wilson Brothers since the homeowners both worked from home and have a young child. Wilson Brothers completed the install and re-designed the ductwork to improve the airflow with minimal disruption to the family. However, the homeowners also had to replace the insulation for the roof, re-paint their ceilings and walls and repair their hardwood floor where an air vent was improperly installed in the center of the front door. A month later, Wilson Brother’s went to follow-up with the family to make sure the system was working properly. We were happy to hear how relieved they had been since we installed the new system. The humidity and moisture problems were now gone and the family was able to live with peace of mind knowing their home was safe and clean for their daughter. They were very thankful for our entire team’s help including the office staff.

“Something awesome about your company is you called us to help schedule our town inspection. We didn’t have to worry about that.”

Being able to help get this family back to feeling comfortable and happy in their home is what drives Wilson Brothers everyday and we will continue to build lifelong partnerships with our customers one exceptional experience at a time. *Names have been changed for privacy
Our plumbers have been called on to unclog toilets due to eye glasses, cell phones and even a glass eye! However, those were all flushed down the toilet by accident. There are many products that say they are flushable but when it comes to asking our Plumbers, they disagree. Wet Wipes or Baby Wipes Whether they are for the bathroom or your baby, wet wipes cannot be flushed down the toilet. The problem is not when the wipe is flushed, the problem comes later when the wipes move through your sewer system and create a clog and by then, a plunger won’t help you. Paper Towels & Napkins When you realize you are out of toilet paper, there is no other perfect solution, however, paper towels and napkins should never be flushed down the toilet. They are very problematic for a plumbing system and they are also very difficult to fish out (trust us). Cat Litter When dry, cat litter is like sand but if you flush the litter down the toilet, it will turn into a cement like substance and block your sewer system completely. Extra Thick Toilet Paper Yes, this is still toilet paper, however our Plumbers have been seeing more and more clogged sewer systems due to the extra thick layers of some toilet paper. Be careful how much of the stuff you flush at once. Kleenex & Makeup Remover Wipes Thick tissues like those with lotion or labeled extra thick are not appropriate to flush down the toilet. Neither are makeup remover wipes. These will only become clumpy and sticky and they are non-degradable leading to clogged pipes. Feminine Hygiene Products These products are dense and super absorbable for a reason. They do not break down easily if flushed and neither do tampon applicators, the plastic strip from the sticky back of a pad and the pad itself. These will all lead to a clogged main sewer line at which point a specialized drain company will have to come in and remove the clog. Food Items Food will clog your toilet just like it clogs your sink (if you don’t have a garbage disposal). Avoid flushing any kind of leftovers down the toilet. Cooking Grease Yes, this is liquid when you pour it down the toilet but as it cools, it will begin to congeal and cause a gooey mess that will cause a clog (especially bacon grease). Chewing Gum Your toilet is not a trash can. Even gum can cause blockages so it is best to just toss it in the trash. Cigarette Butts Cigarettes are full of toxic chemicals that when flushed down the toilet can go straight into the water system. Plus, it is a waste of water to flush the toilet every time you dispose of a cigarette butt. Medication While these may not clog your drain, they do breakdown in water which can cause toxic effects on your groundwater. It is best to dispose of medication properly for example at your local pharmacy. If you want to keep your plumbing system healthy, then it is best to stick to basic toilet paper. Anything else and you could be making a costly mistake when you realize the mainline to your sewer system is clogged.
Four thousand people die each year from asthma related causes. Asthma can be brought on by air pollution, allergies, exercise, stress and certain chemicals which cause the airways of the lungs to narrow or become blocked, making it hard to breath. We can all do our part to help relieve some of the stress that comes with the burden of asthma by recognizing the early signs of an asthma attack. When an asthma episode begins, the lining of the airways begins to swell and becomes more inflamed. Mucus starts to clog the airways, muscles begin to tighten in the chest and eventually the airways become so narrow that you feel like you are breathing through a straw stuffed with cotton. The cause of asthma is largely unknown but asthma triggers can lurk indoors and outside. For people with asthma, indoor air quality is very important and they should make sure the appropriate air filtration system is installed in their home. Our Mitsubishi single and multi-zone units all come equipped with filters to directly improve the air quality indoors. The units all have multiple filters while the conventional heating and cooling systems only have one filter installed in the central unit. The filters in our Mitsubishi cooling and heating systems include the Nano Platinum Filter, Deodorizing Filter and an Electrostatic Anti-Allergy Enzyme Filter. All filters are washable to make for easy cleaning and last up to 10 years. The Nano Platinum Filter incorporates nanometer-sized platinum-ceramic particles that kill bacteria and deodorize the air. The Deodorizing Filter uses nanotechnology to absorb odors and neutralize the worst smells. If you suffer from asthma or seasonal allergies, it may be worth updating your indoor air quality filtration system. Source: www.cdc.gov/asthma