Unico warms a Midwest Bed and Breakfast

4 ton air handling system and trunkline installed in the attic and supply lines run to the second floor ceilings, providing comfort to all of the guestrooms, baths and the central hallway.

In the verdant hills of Southern Illinois,just 45 minutes north- east of St.Louis,sits an historic piece of property known as The Homeridge.

Built in 1867,The Homeridge is a 14-room,Italianate Victorian three-story brick mansion lovingly restored to its original splendor by its owners,Sue and Howard Landon.

The Landon 's,both Natives of Jerseyville who met in Chicago after graduating from college,purchased The Homeridge in 1992 and moved to it from the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, where they had lived for 35 years.

They "retired "from their respective careers to renovate the home and operate it as a bed and breakfast.

The Homeridge features 18-inch thick,double brick walls,12-f t ceilings topped with crown molding and a 12-foot by 12-foot cupola that offers a breathtaking view of the lush countryside surround- ing the property.

The Landon 's spent a total of eighteen months on the building 's renovation,a project that included rebuilding the front porch,side portico and cupola and refinishing the wood floors and hand-carved curved,wood staircase that ascends to the guestrooms.

The four guestrooms themselves offer the crowning touch of the Landon 's efforts to restore the home to its original elegance as they are decorated with period antiques,Waverly wall coverings and original porcelain pedestal sinks.

Sue and Howard had succeeded in returning The Homeridge to its tradi- tions and roots,but just one problem remained.

How would they keep their guests comfortable through the extreme temperature changes f the Midwestern seasons?.

Though the home 's original 450,000 btu boiler and radiant heating system worked like a champ, Homeridge had no respite during the blistering Summer months and the radiators Was a bit too much in the chilly?.

But hardly frigid, season's of spring and fall.

The innkeepers had just about given up the idea of adding Central air without making major Renovation concessions when they Came across the Unico System while watching an episode of This Old House.

Shortly thereafter they contracted with Intagliata Heating and Cooling,dealers of the Unico System located in nearby St.Louis,to outfit The Homeridge with a central air conditioning and heating system that would be a compliment t the existing boiler.

Shawn Intagliata and his crew installed two Unico Systems to The Homeridge.

A 4 ton air handling system and trunkline were installed in the attic and supply lines were run to the second floor ceilings, providing comfort to all of the guestrooms, baths and the central hallway.

A 5- ton system was installed in the basement with the trunkline in a closed perimeter loop layout.Supply lines terminate in the first story floors and are capped with oak outlets stained to match the home's oak flooring.

Both systems were installed with Lennox add-on heat pumps to provide heat in the chilly spring and fall months.The boiler only kicks in when the outside temperature dips below 30 degrees.

Sue Landon has been so pleased with the Unico System that she has become a virtual one-person marketing and advertising agency, filling in each and every visitor to The Homeridge with information about the system.

Says Sue,"Our guests stay cool and comfortable on the hottest days of the year,and we 're able to keep them warm and cozy during chilly times without having t fire up the entire boiler.

"She loves it when guests are curious about those round holes in the ceiling,and spec- ulate as to whether they are part f the lighting system".

One couple even asked me if we had installed closed-circuit cameras in the guest rooms,"laughs Sue.

"They were quite relieved when I told them that the holes were simply the outlets for the air conditioning system".

The Landon 's should be commend-ed for their success in restoring this stately piece of Illinois 'history,and Unico,is proud that we were project.

The Homeridge stands as an example of dedication to detail and tradition as well as the benefits of the Unico System.Visitors to the St.Louis-Southern Illinois area are urged to make a stay at this beautiful inn a priority for planned future trips.

The Homeridge will treat them in unsurpassed style and comfort.

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