[MassHistPres] Integrating heat pumps into historic homes

[JamesBlauch_Architect at verizon.net]

I believe that you are incorrect in noting that the “radiator infrastructure is being made redundant” when  installing a split system.  If the existing forced hot water heating system in NOT oil and is working “fine”, then the split system would probably be cooling only; perhaps, adding heating as a supplemental heating source.  I doubt that anyone would abandon a working heating system just to add a split system (for cooling).

 

I am currently working on completing construction documents for a multi-family building where we are removing through-wall a/c units and providing cooling split system units for each tenant unit.  Due to the common boiler hot water heating system, the radiators are being retained.  ALL split system piping is being run internally inside the building from the roof-mounted units.

 

Perhaps the problem that you are concerned with is that the split system’s exterior unit is mounted on the ground – which would almost certainly require exterior mounting of the piping.  With older homes and only sloping roofs available, perhaps the exterior unit could be mounted in a portion of the attic with louvers added to permit air to enter this portion of the attic?  Then internal piping would be the simplest solution for connecting the split system.

 

 

Sincerely:

 

James Blauch Architect

Cell: 508-868-8095

Email:  <mailto:JamesBlauch_Architect at verizon.net> JamesBlauch_Architect at verizon.net

Registered in MA & SC

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Ralph Slate
Sent: Wednesday, April 7, 2021 9:27 AM
To: twm3 at metcalfe-architecture.com
Cc: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Integrating heat pumps into historic homes

 

Running the tubing inside the walls might work in a gut-rehab, but how can these be installed in a less invasive manner?

With all the talk about the state going fossil-fuel-free in the next 2 decades, how can we get out in front of this? Is there a way to do this on the interior specifically using the radiator infrastructure that is being made redundant? Or, as Tris has suggested, is there a way that this can be run through the interior in an aesthetically pleasing manner?

I think that telling someone "no" to this without having a practical alternative is not realistic, given the momentum. 

The other issue is that the exact same infrastructure is used for ductless splits that are cooling-only. That is a bit more of a luxury item, but I don't think it would be permissible for a commission to say "yes" to converting the heating system, but "no" to adding air conditioning, provided that the exterior appearance is the same.

Ralph Slate
Springfield, MA

On 4/2/2021 4:55 PM, twm3 at metcalfe-architecture.com <mailto:twm3 at metcalfe-architecture.com>  wrote:

Ralph 

I tell people that it is much more efficient to run heating pipes inside the warm house vs outside in the below zero air where the pipes have only 1/2” of rubber insulation with another inch of fiberglass inside the plastic gutter, which if chosen also needs painting cost added. 

 

The cost to drill holes in floors and place in room corners and on interior wall ceilings is helped by less electrical use. 

Tris Metcalfe

Northampton

 

btw

The St John Cantius church in our downtown is being threatened with demolition and a continued CBAC meeting is this Tuesday 4/6/21 @6:30pm. If interested in commenting own load the entry document at;

http://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/Central-Business-Architecture-42/

 

On Apr 1, 2021, at 4:05 PM, Ralph Slate <slater at alum.rpi.edu <mailto:slater at alum.rpi.edu> > wrote:

 

I am seeing a big push for people to convert their heating systems to more efficient heat-pump technology, and I think this will become a significant challenge in the future for owners of historic homes. 

The issue that I foresee is that the predominant way to accomplish this conversion in a house without a ducted heating system is via "ductless splits" - where a fan unit is installed on the inside, and a condenser is installed on the outside. The two halves are connected with copper piping which transfers the heat via a refrigerant. There are currently rebates available for these units at Masssave.

What I have been seeing is that the most convenient way to install these systems is to run the piping along the outside of the house, and cover it up with plastic channels which look like gutters. A 3" hole is then drilled through the house to carry the piping to the point where the fan unit is located. A fan unit is usually required in every room. Because the interior fan units are somewhat large, homeowners need to place them in very specific locations, not considering the impact on where the channels appear on the outside of the house. The end result is usually an asymmetrical series of channels running across the outside of the house

Although these channels can be painted, sometimes homeowners do not do this, and although paint helps, if the channels are installed in prominent locations (like on the front of the house) it doesn't help much. 

I do not think that installing one of these systems requires a building permit (triggering historic review), so this issue arises as more of an "after-the-fact" problem, but one which would be difficult to mitigate after-the-fact without a total re-installation. 

I will try and paste photos into this email of a few nearby me, hopefully the pictures will come through.

My question is, given that this will gain in popularity, does anyone know of a better way to conceal this technology? This may be the predominant method of heating in the future, especially as we shift away from carbon-based heat, because it involves moving heat instead of burning fuel to generate it.

Basic guidelines could include requiring the channels to be painted the same color as the house, or disallowing them from the front facade. Is there more that could be asked?

Ralph Slate
Springfield, MA

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