need advice... energy management

We're installing a new system similar to this for a client right now. What they're talking about is called an outdoor reset control.

Yes, they generally will help reduce the fuel bill.

whats the installation costs versus the energy savings?

what is the estimated payback? 20-30 years?

To be honest, Fish, I don't promote it as an energy saver in most applications, although it is. There are just too many variables, degree days, occupants, occupant usage of the home, DHW usage, etc. The margin simply isn't enough to spend in a big debate with the HO as to whether it saved them $$$ or not.

I promote the comfort realized from the system. Constant circulation with heat loss of the home matched by system output. Particularly if the emitters are panel radiators with TRVs.

But to your question of payback. I'd say if you had panel rads with TRVs and no reset control and then installed a reset control AND everything else stayed the same 5-10% savings wouldn't be unreasonable to expect. Around here average size house with gas or fuel oil 5-10 years probably. LP is about 30-50% more so the payback would be sooner. But the comfort is really where it's at.

You d> Steve Scott t>

Get a SmartStat. These are the world's best thermostats. They have automatically-adjusting anticipators.

theres absolutely nothing wrong with selling comfort, esp to the clients who expect nothing less. too often we get too wrapped up in terms of 'payback'. Around here, whats the payback on a new Lamborgini versus the run of the mill mercedes....I guess payback is the Babes & WoW factor....

yeah, we use heating here.....but not much so far this yr. right now its 9pm and its warmer outside than it is inside. today was 85.

dont get me wrong, we get snow here too. I know guys who go surfin in the morning and are skiing or snow boarding in the afternoon.

Thank you guys -- esp Bubba and Steve Scott. One more question: how much should such a modification/system cost? My furnace tech says $1600 for the whole thing installed. Is this reasonable -- or is he working off his boat payments? I'm in NW Connecticut.

There are many different outdoor reset controls, both in brand and function. There are some we would install for less and others we would charge more for.

The problem with ask>Thank you guys -- esp Bubba and Steve Scott. One more question: how