HVAC: House Design - HVAC input please
Pensacola PI
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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tigerdunes
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
Requesting input on HVAC system install proposals
Comments (4)The furnace should use the high stage whenever you do a temperature set back of more than 5 degrees. I personally like to set back the temperature at night. In the morning is the only time I hear my furnaces go into the high stage. It would be good to do a ROI calculation on the 80% vs 95% furnace. Also see if there are any utility rebates for the higher efficiency furnace. Normally I would recommend getting a high efficiency furnace but with low gas rates and mild winters it may not be worth it....See Morenew home hvac design suggestions
Comments (11)Is the lower level the same square footage as the 2nd floor? If so, consider partitioning off a small area (check building codes) for your HVAC system and laundry. Being that the 3rd floor is approximately 20' x 20', I think you would have more flexibility with the duct system, starting from the ground, up. The utility area could be conditioned, so you could have a high efficiency furnace installed without problem. I assume the house if being built to high energy standards. Just make sure the HVAC contractors do all of the 'manuals' for heat loss/gain, duct sizing, equipment selection, etc. My own (non-professional) preference would be for a gas furnace, due to its higher air temperature (compared to heat pump). Duel fuel is an option, however. Are you able to select your contractors? If so, I can recommend a first class man in the Toms River area. V...See MoreSingle HVAC zoned or two HVACs without zoned system
Comments (27)The biggest problem with HVAC zone systems is knowing when to choose it as a solution and when not to. Some HVAC companies it's about "sell, sell, sell" whether or not it works... there's more money in "sell, sell, sell" --- when it's only about money? So does the comment above mean I do it for free? No. If you think that you are reading things that aren't there. New construction? best to choose separate systems 9 times out of 10. In order for a zone system to work, you have to know what you are doing. Most HVAC companies staff (the techs they send you) are 20-30 year olds. How much practical experience could they possible have? It's best for HVAC zone systems to be an elegant solution. A HVAC zone system is a tool in the tool bag. Not all homes are suitable for zone systems. Some homes there is no other way, and in some cases complications to those problems will make an HVAC zone system design possibly more prone to problems. You have a problem now, do you want more problems. These decisions among others are decided "in person" --- so considering that becareful what information you decide upon from the internet. Just because it's here doesn't necessarily mean it's true. That said: Depending on equipment level chosen, how many different floors you have in your structure, how much room you have available... will all be factors that make you decide one way or another. From there it's in your best interest to pick a contractor that is skilled: especially when it comes to HVAC zone systems. (there's a lot of garbage out there.) (click to enlarge if necessary) I service the Katy, Texas area....See MoreHVAC Dilemma! i want some help in regards to my HVAC system . thank y
Comments (11)Sizing can be less of an issue when you have multiple units. Because each unit is controlled independently, provided of course the unit itself is not over sized for the area in which it serves resulting in excessive short cycling. In your case 3 ton plus 2 ton isn't necessarily equal to 5 tons of cooling... unless you drive those thermostats really low. By having two systems with total capacity of 5 tons (which, most of the time this would be oversized for a 1700 - 1800 sq ft structure) has a few advantages. 1. You have the ability to use one system only during low heat days or set the opposing unit higher. The unit set higher only runs if load conditions warrant.... meaning if it's not hot, the thermostat controlling the unit does not call... the unit can not run without a call... 2. Utility bills can be much less... because you rarely use both systems at the same time. You run the bedroom system when you sleep, the other when you're awake. If you have a home office in one the bedrooms you may need to rethink things a bit. 3. Extra capacity for when it's hot out. When it's hot you have the capacity to cool the home. (even while entertaining guests --- additional people add heat) Remember heat waves come, heat waves go... a so call 'properly sized' AC system is essentially properly sized roughly 10% of the time... especially if that system is a single speed AC system. Alot of people I come across like to sleep cool. So for that reason I doubt I would change the configuration of the space. Once you realize what you have, the choices you make are mostly budget type concerns. Essentially a set up like this runs like a 2 stage system. This kind of subject is above the pay grade of many... choose your contractor wisely. I service the Katy, Texas area....See Moretigerdunes
7 years agoPensacola PI
7 years agomike_home
7 years agotigerdunes
6 years ago
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