Cooling Fairmeadow Eichlers without losing the look
Fairmeadow’s Eichlers line the concentric streets locals call “the Circles.” Many still run on original radiant heat, and most were never designed for air conditioning. We fix both.
Call 650-460-3483438 Cambridge Ave, 94306
Fairmeadow is a 1950s Eichler neighborhood in south Palo Alto known for its concentric circle street layout. Many homes still have original radiant floor heat and no air conditioning. ComfortFlow services radiant systems, installs ductless heat pumps for cooling and heating, and plans every install around Eichler post-and-beam design.
Fairmeadow’s curving streets set it apart from the grid around it, and its Eichlers are some of the most recognizable mid-century homes in Palo Alto. Like most Eichlers, they were built with radiant heating in the slab and large glass walls. Many Fairmeadow homes still have their original radiant systems, which makes repair and replacement planning a common conversation here.
What Fairmeadow homeowners ask us most
“Can we add air conditioning?”
Yes, and ductless is usually the answer. Post-and-beam ceilings and flat roofs leave no room for ducts. A multi-zone ductless heat pump can cool the main living space and bedrooms, and also take over heating if the radiant system is failing.
“Is our radiant heat worth keeping?”
If the slab loops hold pressure and the boiler is healthy, radiant is wonderfully comfortable and worth keeping. If you’re adding water often or the boiler is near the end of its life, we’ll compare repairing it, converting the heat source to an air-to-water heat pump, or switching to ductless heat.
“Where will the outdoor unit go?”
On curved lots, the side and rear yards vary a lot from house to house. We find a spot that meets the City’s calculated setback, stays out of view from the street and keeps line sets short and neat.
A Fairmeadow
homeowner checklist
Five things that make the first conversation faster and the recommendation more accurate.
- Check whether your radiant boiler holds steady pressure
- Note the hottest rooms on summer afternoons
- Look at side and rear yards for an outdoor unit spot
- Think about whether you want cooling only or heating too
- Ask about the CPAU rebate if you are replacing gas heat
Fairmeadow
HVAC questions.
Answers from ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto, specific to Fairmeadow homes.
How many indoor units does a Fairmeadow Eichler need?
It depends on the floor plan. Many homes use one head for the main living area and one for each bedroom wing. A load calculation decides it. Typical Fairmeadow layouts use one head for the main living and kitchen area and one for each bedroom wing. Rooms with large west-facing glass may need more capacity. ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto sizes each zone to avoid oversized heads that short cycle and leave the air clammy.
Will ductless heads look out of place?
We choose head styles and locations that work with the beams and sightlines, and route lines discreetly. Slim ducted units are an option in some layouts. Options include low-profile wall heads, ceiling cassettes and slim ducted units hidden in soffits. We match head placement to the beam layout and keep lines inside where possible. Exterior line sets can be covered with paintable trim that blends into Eichler siding.
Can ductless replace my radiant heat completely?
Yes. In Palo Alto’s mild climate, a ductless heat pump system can provide all the heating and cooling an Eichler needs. Palo Alto’s winters are mild enough that a properly sized ductless heat pump system can keep an Eichler warm on the coldest mornings. It also adds air conditioning. Replacing a gas boiler this way may qualify for the CPAU Heat Pump HVAC rebate.
Do you repair radiant boilers?
Yes. We service boilers, circulator pumps, zone valves and controls, and diagnose slab loop leaks. We also check combustion safety and carbon monoxide on gas boilers during every visit. If your boiler is near the end of its life, ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto can price a like-for-like replacement alongside an air-to-water heat pump, so you can compare the long-term costs.
What does “the Circles” mean?
It’s the local nickname for Fairmeadow’s concentric circle street layout, one of the most distinctive street plans in Palo Alto. The curving streets give Fairmeadow a distinct feel and also mean lots vary in shape. That affects where an outdoor heat pump unit can go under the City’s setback rules. We check each lot individually rather than assuming one layout fits every home.
Do you work in Greenmeadow too?
Yes. Greenmeadow is right nearby and has a similar Eichler setup. Both neighborhoods were built in the mid-1950s with radiant floors and glass walls, so their homes share the same heating and cooling challenges. We also serve Midtown, Barron Park and the rest of south Palo Alto.
What Fairmeadow homes ask us for most
Also serving near Fairmeadow
ComfortFlow is headquartered in Palo Alto. Read our main HVAC Palo Alto page for an overview of everything we do.
Comfort for your
Fairmeadow home.
Tell ComfortFlow HVAC Palo Alto what’s happening with your heating or cooling, and we’ll start with the right questions. Serving Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Los Altos, Stanford and the Peninsula.