Ashland home energy efficiency guru Ben Scott and his wife Vanessa recently decided to slash their carbon footprint.
First, they ditched their gas furnace and AC system in favor of a Variable Speed Heat Pump for upstairs and a ductless mini-split for downstairs. Next, they went after their gas stove and converted it to an induction stove.
Gas Furnace and AC System Conversion to Heat Pump(s)
Our home was purchased with a gas furnace and AC system in place. At the time we elected to keep those systems and focus on other improvements and remodeling. After big changes to the design and layout, other improvements included new windows, sealing air leaks throughout, and adding insulation.
From my experience in construction and energy efficiency, I knew improvements to the shell of our home would reduce our energy consumption and improve our comfort and indoor air quality. I also knew the time would come to upgrade the mechanical systems to have more efficiency in heating and cooling.
In the past year, we decided to go further than just improve efficiency and that is, to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. That decision led us to begin electrifying our home further and reduce our use of natural gas (methane).
The largest use of natural gas for us was our furnace. We knew it was an older system (20+ yrs.) and ripe for replacement. We chose to install a high-efficiency, Variable Speed Heat Pump.
As heat pumps heat and cool, we also benefited from getting a high-efficiency air conditioning system.
Since we had new ducts (sealed and leak-tested) during our remodel, we decided to reuse that distribution system. It has worked out very well for us! Because of the variable speed compressor and air handler, heat delivery is far more consistent and comfortable. The system ramps up or down in increments as needed, to meet the demand. It does so quietly and efficiently.
Our prior system was a single-stage system; either on or off, sometimes resulting in a too hot or too cold period.
Another decision for us was how to condition a downstairs area that we had finished into two rooms as part of our remodel.
We could have had another zone off of our new system to serve that space but elected to treat it as entirely separate.
We decided to install a Ductless Heat Pump (aka Mini-Split) for our downstairs. Because that space can be separate (we used it for an in-law during 20 months of the pandemic) and used as an office, guest room, etc., it made sense to us to have the mini-split.
Again, this solution has worked wonderfully for us and is perfect for what we wanted to achieve. The system is easy to use, super energy-efficient, and quiet.
We feel good about reducing our use of methane gas and are delighted with the superior performance of both Heat Pumps! With heat pumps being so energy efficient and Ashland’s electricity generation being mostly hydropower, switching from natural gas (methane) to clean electricity, is a worthwhile endeavor all the way around.
Gas Range to Induction Range Conversion
Our next priority was to replace a gas range with an electric Induction range. Over the years we noticed that noxious fumes sometimes came from the range or oven. Perhaps from burners or surfaces not being kept clean or inefficiencies that are inherent in all combustion appliances. I used an indoor air monitor and would notice an increase in “bad air” (tiny particulates, CO2 too high, etc.). I also have a CO monitor that I use, and I did in fact register low levels of CO (carbon monoxide). This is quite common in gas appliances.
This past month we removed the gas range and installed an electric Induction range. We got a slide-in model to fit the exact space we had between existing cabinets.
We are so happy to not have fumes and toxic gases from fossil fuel combustion inside the house! We know we have removed a source of unhealthy indoor air and danger from our house and that alone is worth the change!
But, in addition, as we have begun to use our new Induction range, we are finding that we love the way it works! It has precise control over heating and response time to changes in settings, is near instant.
It’s also super easy to clean up as your cooking (most all of the surface of the stovetop remains cool) and far safer than open flames.
Both of us enjoy cooking and wondered how we would transition to not having a gas flame to see and adjust.
Now we can both say that we are happy with the change and with just a bit of a learning curve, see Induction as far superior to gas!