Replacing an old filter can save as much as 5 percent on your heating costs.

Bob meets with Mark Gallivan from Sears HVAC and Brent Morin from Morin Mechanical Services to review the heating system installation at the modular home project. The high efficiency, state of the art Hydro-Air system uses components of a traditional boiler, humidifiers, variable speed fans, electronic air cleaners and three exterior condensing units. Carrier manufactures many of the heating unit�s components including the boiler. The boiler produces hot water for both a forced air unit and a baseboard radiant heating system. The forced air unit allows for a consistent level of humidity in the house, that traditionally radiant-only units cannot accomplish, plus it receives the efficiency of radiant by employing a baseboard system. This gives the home�s occupants a more comfortable living environment. There are seven zones employed in the home�s heating and cooling system. The cast aluminum heat exchanger in this unit transfers heat three times faster than a traditional heat exchanger. The boiler uses a direct venting system that takes air directly from outside and vents it through a flue located in the center of the intake vent. This means no combustion gases are being mixed with the home�s interior air. The system�s zones can be turned on or off as needed, providing an added level of efficiency if the entire home is not being occupied at a given time.

Bob walks through the Manhattan Brownstone floor-through apartment with project manager Chris Vila, looking first at the ductwork that has been run in the ceiling for the forced air heat. He then joins John McEvoy of Thorough Construction for a look at the drop ceiling installation they will be using to hide the ductwork and mechanicals in the ceiling. This Chicago bar system allows the crew to hang a perfectly level drywall ceiling instead of following the uneven pattern of the existing joists. First an anchor is screwed into the joists. A pencil rod is then fitted into the hole in the anchor and bent to hang from the joist. A lasar level marks the exact position for the kelly clips that will hold the main stays or block irons in place. The Chicago bar is then clipped to the block irons with a spaghetti clip to create a grid for the new drywall. The drywall will be screwed directly into the suspended Chicago bar.