Hello to All. Some very smart folks here; I’m not one of them (yet).
We have a 1904 4800sf home in the hot and humid Gulf Coast, and planning some upgrades. Seems that every piece of the puzzle in inter-related. The house is frame construction poplar siding, daylight basement/stand up crawl space w/ half of it concrete floor. Masonry piers and masonry walls. 13 ft ceilings and about 40 3×7.5 original pretty wavy glass windows. Hip roof with soffit, ridge vent ventilation. Only insulation is blown in the attic floor. Asphalt shingle roof (white).
There’s a 5 ton Carrier high efficiency a/c with heat strips and supply ducts all in the attic space which is cavernous.
There’s a 5 ton gas packaged unit for the downstairs with supply ducts in the basement. This unit needs replacement soon.
There’s also a 1940s vintage gas boiler in the basement with functional radiators up and down, but using it is expensive.
After reading your great posts and building science, etc., I’m a bit confused as to how, or even if, these new highly efficient energy building practices would work in an old house. Please give me your thoughts on my plans as follows:
1. New aluminum shingle roof light grey over ice and water shield, over sheathing. This should give good reflection of heat.
2. Seal attic with icynene spray foam to make a non-ventilated attic. Should the blown ceiling insulation be removed?
3. Storm windows with uv block and IR block film applied.
4. Replace downstairs package unit with high efficiency gaspack, or install split unit and modify the ducts.
5. Do something to waterproof the basement. Have no idea yet!
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
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Greetings George,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
A person with no sense of humor about themselves is fullashid
Thanks razzman.
Well George, since we struck out here you may be able to receive some input at the Journal of Light Construction's forum.
It's a site for builders and remodelers but at times will offer advice for homeowners.
Good luck.
http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.storefront
A person with no sense of humor about themselves is fullashid
Those guys are mean over there. Where's Pippen?
It is shameful for this board not to have responded even after five bumps. So I will respond and if I am wrong then someone will correct me.
1] Aluminum shingles? Flattened beer cans? Should reflect a lot of heat.
2] I assume you install the foam between the rafters. There is some web site out there which recommends this.
3] Maybe double paned glass so you can open the windows at night and let the hot air out and the fresh air in?
4] Consult an A/C contractor about this. Get four bids. Pick their brains. Do it yourself.
5] Why would you want to waterproof the basement? How will the water get out?
~Peter
Sounds right. A basement should be dry.
hot and humid Gulf Coast. I,m in the same area, yes its hot
Asphalt shingle roof (white) Get rid of the asphalt, go tin, metal roof, not shingles but metal. better for hurricanes
5 ton Carrier high efficiency a/c with heat strips and supply ducts all in the attic space. Whoever thought of a cooling unit in hottest part of a house was a idiot. get it downstairs in a closet.
Seal attic with icynene spray foam to make a non-ventilated attic. Not a good idea in a humid area. humid, mold, termites, keep it dry and as cool as possible.