yesthattom | Revised note to contractor about the new furnace

mtnvwpilot gave me some great feedback. Since I’m dealing with mom-and-pop operations, I shouldn’t be so formal. It might scare them away.

Here’s the new draft.

[contact info]

Hello!

Here’s the situation. We have a carriage house in back with an old (10+ years) furnace that is failing occasionally. It is very inefficient, and heating the house is extremely expensive. We’d like to replace it with something more efficient: either a more efficient oil furnace or convert to gas.

We’re not only concerned about installed cost. We’re concerned with the total cost of ownership (TCO) for, say, the next 20 years.

We would like the following:

1. Furnace: correctly sized (two floors, about 20x20 ft each), high efficiency (AFUE of 90% or higher)
2. (if oil-to-gas conversion) Oil tank removal
3. Insulation of duct between furnace and house and other insulation that would improve heat loss
4. Programmable thermostat (7 days with 4 settings per day, large display, temporary overrides)
5. Recommendations for improving furnace area (would better windows/door improve efficiency?)

We’d love multiple proposals: one for a “budget” system, of high reliability, but low capital cost and another bid for a high efficiency furnace.

We realize that most high efficiency furnaces requires a water drain. We’re interested in creative solutions. For example, the kitchen is on the other side of the wall, maybe the drain can run to it.

An energy audit is being performed on March 3rd. We can send you a copy of the results when we get it.

We would like the installation soon, since the current one is failing and the tenants are about to have their first child.

We’d prefer the proposal to be itemized. Here’s where to send it:

[email, fax, and mail address)

Thanks! Please contact us if you have any questions!

(signed)