[Greenbuilding] Fresh air to boiler questions

[Michael O'Brien]

Hi, Ben--

Could you please describe the rest of the house? Is it already weatherized?

Best, Mike
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 13, 2015, at 4:43 PM, Benjamin Pratt <benjamin.g.pratt at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I have been sealing up and insulating the unfinished portion of my basement, but am concerned it is a waste of time and money: There is a 6" fresh air duct to provide proper combustion for the boiler. Also, there is no damper on the water heater or boiler. Therefore, a lot of cold air is continually dumped into the basement, and a lot of hot air escapes up the chimney.
>    I suppose the solution to this would be to install a new boiler, and to install a direct vent kit on the water heater. The boiler is around 15 years old, and is 84 percent efficient. If I buy a more efficient boiler, that is direct vented, any guess as to how much energy I will save? I suppose its more then just the amount of natural gas I will save with a more efficient boiler, since I would also be eliminating a huge source of air infiltration. I would like to be able to calculate the ROI, so my wife agrees to the purchase.
> I'd appreciate any help you can provide.
> Thanks,
> Ben
> 
> 
> 
> b e n j a m i n p r a t t
> 
> professor art+design
> the university of wisconsin stout
> 
>> On Tue, Jan 13, 2015 at 3:46 PM, Sacie Lambertson <sacie.lambertson at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I'm looking for an architect in Seattle who understands energy efficient good building and does contemporary design work.  Welcome suggestions.   Best to send these off the forum, to me directly. Sacie
>> 
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