Last year, Travis Drury, an environmental analyst by profession, decided to replace the oil furnace in his home in Greenfield. The 33-year-old furnace produced a noticeable odor of burned oil and only partially heated the 1,480-square-foot house, which was built in 1902. In addition to the home's inefficient heating in the winter, a single small window unit provided the only air conditioning in the summer.
Travis had three key goals when considering his home's heating system: save money on energy costs, improve heating and cooling efficiency, and reduce his home's carbon footprint. Based on his background working in conservation, Travis knew to explore available programs and resources provided by Eversource.
After Eversource, a Sponsor of Mass Save®, conducted a Home Energy Assessment, Travis upgraded his home's insulation with 100% of the cost covered by Eversource. He also decided to convert from an oil furnace to a heat pump. Learning more about the process through the energy assessment and reading articles on MassSave.com, Travis began his research in the Mass Save Heat Pump Installer Network and chose to work with Arctic Refrigeration, a local contractor. The conversion to heat pump technology began as soon as Travis approached the end of his existing oil supply. Besides installing the condenser and air handler, Arctic Refrigeration replaced the natural gas water heater with a heat pump water heater. Travis knew it was about time to replace the water heater and chose to install the most energy-efficient type available. This update also provided a means to install air conditioning ducts in the upstairs bedroom ceilings. Travis and his family now experience a more comfortable home with effective year-round heating and cooling solutions.
