Out with the Old

A few days ago, the very last mechanical thing from our old house got replaced. Here is the 20 year old oil furnace leaving the premises.

An interesting fact is that the man removing it, heating specialist Keith Huston, remembered helping to install it when he was a new apprentice in Bear River over 20 years ago.

Larry and I have spent lots of time talking about heating systems with anyone who would listen. That actually means everyone in Bear River, because heating a house is one of the biggest expenses people have and everyone is trying to cut down on costs. As well, lots of people are anticipating the end of ‘affordable’ oil within 10 years and currently the interest in alternative heat sources is high.

Step one: siphon off the oil out of the tank that is going to be moved downstairs.

In the beginning of this project, we were keen on getting a heat pump or using solar energy. Unfortunately, the ‘greener’ methods of home heating are still way more costly for the average homeowner, so we went with a high-efficiency combination oil and wood furnace instead.

These shiny shapes will become new ductwork thanks to the sculptural talent of Keith Huston, our heating specialist.

It was good to deal with Keith because he had practical ideas such as moving the furnace to a more central location in the basement in order to place the heat source below the heart of the house. He also made new shiny ductwork and installed it in a more effective way.

It warmed me seeing Keith's truck.

You may remember that  when we first moved to Bear River our pipes froze at the house we were staying in. We were innocent babes in the woods then and Keith came to our rescue right away. If all this sounds a bit like hero worship, it is! Both Larry and I felt a real sense of relief and a feeling of completion when Keith was finished. Not only was he very professional and skilled, this job marked our house’s last big mechanical change after the electricity, the plumbing, the water pump, the compressor, the septic field, the new chimney, and the wood stoves.

The grey tank is moving to the the basement, the red one to the dump.

There are constantly changing rules about where and how oil tanks are housed and how many years you can use them.  Our tank has 8 more years in her and she was moved to the basement. Keith’s apprentice shoveled a trench into the hard, compacted dirt floor to bury the orange and black hose that will feed the furnace from the oil tank at the other end of the basement.

I opened the wood burning part so that you can see it! The oil goes through the bottom part. (I think?)

Larry and I just stood and stared at the flames like we had never seen fire before. Like I said, it was a very significant moment in the evolution of this house.

The heating guys even repainted the tank!

The basement was looking so spiffy what with shiny ductwork everywhere and freshly painted oil tank with beautifully contrasting orange-red piping. (the extra coil is code – in case the tank falls over so that the oil line won’t sever.) You know how one thing leads to another? Suddenly I noticed all the cobwebs, the plaster bits, the dusty mason jars and other stuff down there and I actually vaccumed the damp, cement floor as well as the ceiling beams. I felt bad for the electrician who had attached wiring to the beams and likely dodged spiders and who-knows-what.

Even the electrician is a pattern maker.

The yard has become somewhat of a junk yard what with lumber and old furnace ductwork and fallen oak tree bits, but it’s small stuff compared with the ordeal of putting in a new heating system.

I'm hoping this will be the END of major garbage!

Now we have an almost-empty entryway without 2 oil tanks. It’s looking to me like it needs a coat of paint and a couple of storm windows cut into the walls. Except, first Larry has to insulate and drywall the garage for a studio.

The newest old space.

We’re almost there.