Our Heating and Cooling Services
At Eco Performance Builders, we specialize in two key areas: solving HVAC problems and installing new, high-performance systems that are engineered and optimized to work together seamlessly. Nearly all the systems we install are heat pumps, which are perfect for our milder climate due to their smaller capacity, lower heat outputs, and exceptional efficiency.
Solving HVAC Problems: Addressing Challenges with Existing Equipment
Many of the existing heating and cooling systems we encounter are oversized and improperly installed.
Oversized equipment not only wastes energy but also compromises your comfort due to constant on-and-off cycling. This cycling results in uneven temperatures and prevents the system from operating at its full efficiency.
It’s like comparing a gas-guzzling Hummer stuck in city traffic to a fuel-efficient Prius cruising on the highway
New Equipment: Proper Sizing and Installation
When installing new heating and cooling equipment, we use precise ACCA Manual J load calculations to size it correctly for your home.
This method considers your home’s dimensions, insulation, building materials, air infiltration, and window performance and orientation to determine the right equipment size.
Our systems are designed to provide consistent, comfortable temperatures throughout your home while minimizing energy costs.
Ductwork and Air Balancing
Ideally, ducts should be placed away from harsh environments like attics and crawl spaces, but bringing ducts into existing homes isn’t always feasible. We aim to keep duct runs short and we use the grilles to bring air to the exterior.
In attics, we bury ducts in insulation, and in crawl spaces, we install a vapor barrier and seal vents to condition the space. This approach resolves moisture issues and reduces heat loss through the floors.
Additionally, we size each duct and grille to match the specific needs of each room, ensuring optimal airflow and comfort throughout your home.
To ensure that every room receives the right amount of conditioned air, we perform detailed air balancing using powered flow hoods. This process allows us to fine-tune the airflow in each room, maximizing comfort and system efficiency.
Heating Pump HVAC FAQs
Why does Eco Performance Builders install heat pumps for nearly every project instead of gas equipment?
The Bay Area’s mild climate plays directly to a heat pump’s strengths; smaller capacity, lower heat output, and high efficiency are enough to comfortably heat and cool a home here without the extremes that push other climates toward larger gas furnaces. That’s the main reason nearly every system installed is a heat pump rather than a case-by-case preference.
What is a Manual J load calculation, and why does it matter for sizing my system?
A Manual J calculation (an ACCA-standard method) determines the actual heating and cooling load of your specific home, based on factors like insulation, windows, and square footage, rather than guessing based on the size of the old system. Proper sizing this way avoids the two most common installation mistakes: equipment that’s too big and short-cycles, or too small and can’t keep up.
My ductwork is old or undersized, do I need to replace it when I install a heat pump?
Not necessarily replace, but it does need to be evaluated. Ductwork and air balancing are addressed as part of the installation process precisely because a well-sized heat pump connected to leaky or poorly balanced ducts won’t deliver the comfort or efficiency it’s capable of ,sometimes the fix is sealing and rebalancing rather than a full replacement.
What’s the difference between a ducted heat pump and a ductless mini-split?
A ducted heat pump distributes conditioned air through existing (or new) ductwork, similar to a traditional forced-air system, while a ductless mini-split delivers air directly through individual indoor units with no ductwork involved. Hydronic air handlers and radiant systems are also installed for homes where a water-based distribution approach fits better than either of those.
Can a heat pump work with a home’s existing radiant heating system?
Yes ,hydronic air handlers and radiant-compatible equipment are part of the range of systems installed, specifically because not every home is a good fit for standard ducted or ductless equipment. Older Bay Area homes with existing radiant heat are a common example where matching the heat pump to the existing distribution method matters.
What kinds of problems come up with equipment that’s already installed, and how are they addressed?
Existing systems are evaluated for issues like incorrect sizing, deteriorated ductwork, and equipment that was never properly commissioned ,problems that often explain uneven comfort or high bills even when the equipment itself isn’t obviously broken. Addressing those root causes is treated as part of the process, not just swapping in new equipment on top of the same problems.
Our HVAC Expertise
Since 2008, we’ve been successfully installing a variety of systems in the Bay Area, including ducted heat pumps, hydronic air handlers, ductless mini-splits, and radiant systems. To ensure optimal performance, we’ve data-logged many of these systems over the years, allowing us to better understand how they perform in real-world conditions. This valuable data has helped us continuously improve our design, installation, and commissioning practices.
Schedule a Free Assessment
Your comprehensive assessment begins with an in-depth call with one of our home efficiency experts, where you can ask all your questions. During our conversation, we’ll ask about your goals, the current setup of your home comfort system, and any time and budget constraints you might have. If you want to move forward with a home evaluation, we can schedule it during your assessment.
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Ten Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Heat Pump
Many factors play into whether any heat pump can give you the results you’re looking for. No matter which HVAC company you choose, this eBook will walk you through the twelve important questions we use to design superior home comfort systems.
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