Need some help figuring out what is wrong with your system or how to start out on the right foot?  Once again, you have come to the right resource.  Most of the work that I do over the course of a year is "clean up" work, coming in to make things right.  It would certainly be more cost effective to have an installation right the first time but problems do crop up and sometimes someone new has a better perspective on the issues.  Due to the uncertain nature of construction and contractors, consulting and design assistance is a large part of what I do.  

Knowing that, what could Orchard Valley offer as a consultant?  If you are experiencing issues with your current system, there are a number of diagnostic approaches we could take.  The list below represents some of the specialties we can perform.

1. extensive heat loss / gain calculations: This is where everything starts. Without proper estimations ( not guesstimations) of the structures thermal properties, we cannot begin to size equipment, ducting , or design the comfort system.  We use a very extensive program designed by Wrightsoft, by far the best in the industry.  A site visit is required to measure and document the house layout and return to the office for the actual computer generated calculation.   Once completed, you will have a detailed report of your homes heating and cooling needs and something to base the rest of the design ( or existing design review) on.  This report has been very helpful to homeowners wondering why their AC system under performs or why their furnace or boiler runs constantly in cold weather.

2. duct analysis in a problem solving situation: After completing the heat load calcs, we now can review the installation and determine  if the ducting is at fault.  This is a very complex task requiring the use of several diagnostic tools and calculations. We use a flow hood to physically measure the air volume coming out of the grills. That tally is compared to the proper design are flow to find discrepancies to explain the comfort or efficiency concerns. A flow grid can also be placed in the air handler to measure flow through the equipment. That number is matched to the measurement taken by the flow hood to estimate duct leakage- quantifying a duct sealing proposal.  Studies show that most systems lose 30% of their air volumes to duct leakage and improper design. If your home needs 3 tons on a warm day and only 2 tons is available- the solution is pretty clean. Fix the ducts!

3. air quality measurements: using state of the art testing equipment, we measure the volume and size of the debris in your home or business' air. These measurements along with humidity, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide readings help determine if filtration or ventilation is required to improve conditions.

4. combustion analysis: Using our Testo digital combustion analyzers we evaluate your homes heating and cooling systems for proper operation. This is typically performed during a seasonal system cleaning

5. digital thermography: Insulation issues are invisible to the naked eye, but with a Flir thermal imaging camera, these irregularities are more than evident.  The camera is used to scan the buildings walls, ceiling and floors, searching for insulation voids, excessive heat losses or gains, locate radiant tubing in floors, even locate hot water lines in walls!  Even better than Superman's Xray vision  ( however, I still need several bounds to leap tall buildings) 

6. design consulting: Hopefully you are just starting out and looking for advice.  I still perform the heat loss calculations and as much design work as needed to get you where you feel comfortable. From that point I can quote the installation or give you something others can quote on to give and apples to apples perspective. 

Note: All of the above noted issues are billed by the hour as if I was performing a repair in your home. Cost estimates will be provided based on what you wish to have done.

Orchard Valley Heating and Cooling has been presented with two national design/installation awards this past year!  A third place award in the 1st annual "Green Mechanical Awards"  and most recently, a Contracting Business magazine "Quality Home Comfort Award" for an amazing Post and beam residence in Worthington Mass. This is the 8th first place award in the past 10 years. If you are in the market for quality- you are at the right place!!