New construction: proper mechanical sizing??
Kaya
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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One Devoted Dame
3 years agoCircle + Square
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Proper bath fan exhaust in new contruction
Comments (3)Personally I wouldn't do it. I'd have a external vent for each fan. It's really up to the local code in your area. Most of the time it may be permitted if (and only if) there is a integrated damper on each fan to prevent backdraft. And, some municipal codes require that no two fans could operate at the same time. In the cases where code permits multiple exhaust vents into one duct, then they are the type where there is a central fan (sucking) not several fans (pushing). Plus, there are dampers that must block the bathroom vents that aren't being used. Example link below. You also can't or shouldn't terminate in the attic, inside at the soffit vents or inside into a roof vent. In other words it should be hooked to its own dedicated roof jack/vent. Also the duct work from the fan housing to the roof jack should be insulated to prevent condensation from warm vent air and cold duct. This is commonly overlooked and is a big deal in cold climates. Here's a bit of the code: The IRC is pretty clear on this: (underlining and bold are mine) - M1501.1 Outdoor discharge. The air removed by every mechanical exhaust system shall be discharged to the outdoors. Air shall not be exhausted into an attic, soffit, ridge vent or crawl space. That does not leave any room for any air to be pushed back into the living space by any other mechanical exhaust system. Then the IRC adds this: - M1507.1 General. Where toilet rooms and bathrooms are mechanically ventilated, the ventilation equipment shall be installed in accordance with this section. - M1506.2 Recirculation of air. Exhaust air from bathrooms and toilet rooms shall not be recirculated within a residence or to another dwelling unit and shall be exhausted directly to the outdoors. Exhaust air from bathrooms and toilet rooms shall not discharge into an attic, crawl space or other areas inside the building. That clearly states that exhaust air from the bathroom/toilet room fan shall be exhausted ... directly ... to the outdoors. Based on the above two code sections, unless the installation instructions specifically state that two exhaust fans may be connected to a single duct, then two exhaust fans may not be connected to a single duct. Unless, of course, permitted by local code. Here is a link that might be useful: Ventilator example This post was edited by audiomixer on Sun, Feb 17, 13 at 22:46...See MoreNew construction, AC freezing up/leaking
Comments (10)This is a brand new system, chances to have a leak is very small because the builder does not like that either. any problem with the house will waste their time and money. To find out if there is a leak is not that easy, especilly if the leak is a small one. However, assume you do not have HVAC gauges, but you can do this: watch/check the temperature of the large pipe near outside condenser, should be cold and wet. check it every day at the same time of the day (means at the same outside temp). If it gets warmer, you have a problem, or possible leak. Also check the temp difference between incoming cold air and return air inside your house (again same time of the day,use the same register). they should be the same always(around 16-20). if not, there is a problem....See MoreNew construction vs old construction home values
Comments (19)My fiance and I have been looking to buy our first home for almost a year now. We have been looking for an older home (pre 1930's), because we love the historical feel, especially victorian architecture. A lot of us have that same dream. When I was a teen, I was dating a guy that was in a fraternity that was out of a beautiful Victorian. I remember the stairway, the flowers that were engraved in the wood. I remember the "dome room" and while it was a PITA to put furniture in, amazed me every time I went into it. I remember beautiful moldings, everything was etched and 3 or 4 fireplaces. It had a decent sized kitchen from what I remember, also had a servant room. Man I loved that house and swore that one day, if I could afford to have the house moved I would. The house was located in one of the worst neighborhoods. You had to lock your doors to drive there and run in the house. I bet that in it's day, it was one of the grandest houses. They ended up knocking it down, don't know when but I drove by about 16 years ago, there was nothing on the lot. Anyway, a lot of us have the same dream, to own a beautiful, grand house. Reality is the lack of things needed to live in it in today's world as Tricia said. Since you are not married with kids yet, it wouldn't really matter much, you would probably get by fine. Once you have kids and they start getting older is when you will notice how hard it is to raise a family there unless you luck out and get a house that has larger rooms where you can make closets, or one that has a decent kitchen. I wonder then if my fiance and I should actually change our dream to accomodate the current economy and the deals available? IMO, this might be a good idea, at least for now. Being newly married can be stressful. Unless the 2 of you are currently living together, you have to learn to live with your partner. How do both of you handle stress? Buying a house that you are working on all of the time is very stressful and could eventually start pulling you apart. You'll come home from work some days so tired but you have to sand & throw another coat of spackle on, or paint, or run out to the home store to buy supplies. Hubby & I worked on our last house starting 2 years after I moved in. We removed paneling, faux brick, painted, put in floors as well as putting a new floor frame on a concrete slab in the laundry area to build it up so that we could put a floor down. By the time we sold we were tired & cranky. Add to this a roof, electric upgrade, plumbing, which was a job in itself since there was only 1 shutoff valve, which meant we lost water for the day. We also did central air, a hot water heater as well as new furnace, and had planned to redo all of the baseboards as well. Are there any houses that are in between the old house and new construction for a compromise? You might be able to live a little bit more comfortably and not have to work as hard. It will also give you an idea of how the 2 of you work together as a team (or not). You can save the Victorian house for later on...See Morejumbo construction loan with new construction ADVICE needed!
Comments (19)My husband and I ran into a similar problem when we had our big addition/remodel. What my husband did was contacted both the bank and the appraisal company and showed them our building plans and asked that they base the appraisal on the prospective build out. The bank worked with us. The residential lending officers actually visited our home on three separate occasions to ensure that we were in fact upgrading the home to the level we proposed we would, understandably they needed to ensure their money was going where it should be. So about midway through the project they increased our construction loan by 25,000, and 3/4 into the project they gave us the final 40,000 they agreed to lend us. This was still about 25,000 shy of our desired amount. In addition to our discussion with the bank, we sat with the contractor and asked where we could cut some corners. He offered us the opportunity to do some “homework” throughout the project which included cleaning up the work site at the end of the day ourselves and preparing the area for the following day, drilling holes in the framing to save a ton of time that we would normally pay the electricians 125 per hour to do, and the biggest savings was painting the house ourselves. You may not have the time or desire to do this much hands on but I gotta day not only did we save enough to complete the project, but we came in under budget enough to furnish a few of the rooms. Best of Luck!...See Morekevin9408
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agochispa
3 years agoDavid Cary
3 years agoKaya
3 years agoDavid Cary
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoKaya
3 years agoclt3
3 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
3 years agomike_home
3 years agotigerdunes
3 years agoKaya
3 years agotigerdunes
3 years agoDavid Cary
3 years agomike_home
3 years agoJake The Wonderdog
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
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