Initial Report from the Builder about Air-Ease GeoExchange System
From: The Builder
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 2:02 PM
To: Air-ease Heating & Cooling <info@air-ease·com>
Cc: The Residents
Subject: Re: payment
All,
Today I went to {the house} to check the temperature.
It seems that second floor is working we had room temperature at 70 and thermostat was 70 as well.
Unfortunately first floor in Mud room room tem. 60 thermostat 70
main area on first floor was room tem 64 thermostat 70
basement room tem 60 thermostat 70
In mechanical room it seems that there is water circulation but without heat.
I had a phone conversation with Bob around 11:30 am, and he says there is probably air in the system. He says that they will come by on Monday to look at it.
By the way Secondary system ( forced air) is set at 60 degree on both levels.
The Builder
REPLY FROM THE RESIDENTS:
From: The Residents
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 2:08 PM
Subject: RE: payment
Thank you for the report.
Again, it's worrying that the problems continue, how is it possible that air gets into the system every few days? The $$$$$ system is supposed to work without any changes for months if not years, that is my right to hope.
UPDATE: (sent by the Residents to Air-Ease on Saturday, December 18, 2010 12:23 PM)
Hello Denise and Bob,
Please review again the report of our GC on the geothermal heating and cooling system Air-Ease was hired to install in our house. According to you, the system is completed. Apparently, that’s not the case since there are constant troubles with multiple zones in the house caused by air entering the floor tubing system every 3-4 days.
Our GC and we, the homeowners, don't have sufficient knowledge on the complicated system you have installed and we have no paperwork of any kind from you to understand what the trouble is. Based on your curt comments when it comes to discussing it, there is air in the system. We need written explanation from you why there is air in the system to have a better understanding what causes the trouble and how it can be permanently fixed.
To our understanding, the hydronic floor heating system is based on closed and sealed water circulation. Therefore, the basic laws of physics can explain the presence of air in the system only in two ways:
1. There is an air leak into the system
2. Water leaks out of the system and is replaced by air
Air in the floor tubing obstructs proper water circulation, and causes local heating failures.
If your company does not permanently fix this, we will have to hire another company specializing in such systems to troubleshoot for (1) air leaks into the system and (2) water leaks out of the system. Since we don't know how much such procedures might cost, and we cannot possibly estimate how much it will cost to address the existing problems, we think is it best to withhold the balances of any payments due to your company until the system is fully flawlessly functional for at least 1 month of constant operation.
Also, please keep in mind that if the system fails and floor tubing freezes, bursts, and causes the house to flood, your company will be 100% responsible for covering any damages since your company is the only entity at this time who has any significant knowledge about the system you have installed in our house.
It is very regretful, that we have to deal with these kinds of problems despite the fact that we hired a company doing business for 30+ years. Having your company’s tenure in business we expected real professionalism and excellent results. We have definitely been severely disappointed, as collecting money has been the only real objective you seem to have.
We still hope this can be resolved successfully and we can get a fully and flawlessly functional reliable heating and cooling system and you can get the balance of your money (about 18% of the contact value) without further delays.
Please advise the exact date when you bring the system up to a fully functional state so that we can start testing it for 30 days. Every failure will resent the count back to day 1. As soon as we reach count 30 days of heating without zone failures and other problems, we will be happy to pay you the full balance of the contract amount.
Sincerely,
{Residents}
UPDATE: (temperature reports sent by the Residents to Air-Ease and Builder on Friday, December 24, 2010 3:00 PM)
12-21-10
study1/2 - thermostat set to 68, real air temp 60
living room - thermostat set to 69, real air temp 61
family room - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 63
mudroom - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 59
basement - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 57
basement utility - cold floor
2nd floor hallway - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 69
bed 1 - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 70
bed 2 -thermostat set to 70, real air temp 70
2nd bath - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 70
hallway by laundry room - thermostat set to 66, real temp 67
air forced heat set to 60
master bath - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 70
master bedroom - thermostat set to 70, real air temp 70