Hi…getting ready to send out plans for a new house to prospective GC’s and I want to be relatively specific on several items including the heating system (we’re in the pacific northwest so not a lot of need for central air. probably use a whole house fan). I think we’ll use a forced air unit so other than efficiency (what would be a good number?) what else should I make sure the unit has? It will be a two story with a walk out basement, 4bdrms, 2800sqft (w/o basement) 3800sqft (w/ basement). Is there a brand name that is better than another? Any particular type of “set up” that you could recommend?
Thank you to everyone for reading this message!
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Different areas of the country have different ideas about home heating sources. Here in New England, oil is still king, though it's taken a beating lately. A Bernum boiler with a Beckett burner are common, with the heating fluid routed through an air handler using a Taco circulator and zone valve. (The forced air setup is good to have should you decide on A/C at a later date.)
When we converted our electric baseboard heat to forced air, it was because of DW and daughter's allergies. (The doc actually wrote out a prescription for the change in heating systems.) We included electrostatic precipitators in both units (one for each floor) as well as a humidifier, though living in the PNW, that probably won't be an issue. I also have mechanical filters at the air handler intake which knocks down a large amount of the big stuff.
Highly recommended is an air replacement unit. A slipstream of interior air is pumped through a heat exchanger whereby some of its heat is transferred to incoming exterior replacement air. This knocks down the stale air so prevalent in tight houses.
My heat-pumps are Trane, as are the air handlers. I've had no problem with either, and we converted over ten years ago. BTW, spec out the best thermostat you can get; it makes the system more versatile.
Good luck.
how do you control your air exchange unit?
Thanks Jim III
I control the rate of exchange by limiting the number of times I let the dog and cat out, as well as harrassing my two 16 yo's to close the door when they exit the house. I don't have an exchanger, though when the pets die and the teens go off to college in a few years, I may get one.
Doesn't answer your question, but fact is, my doors are open so often in the winter, the snow on our Christmas tree is the real McCoy.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Hate to hijack a thread, but........
Why is it that heating with oil is popular in that area? I haven't seen oil heat here in Illinois since the 1970 or so.Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
Boss,
Good question. I assume you're using gas? Different parts of the country have their preferences; it's a regional thing. The PNW uses electricity for heat because of the low cost per kwh produced by the hydroelectric plants out there.
Here, it seems electric baseboards were installed quite often up until 15 years ago, partly because oil prices had spiked, partly because electrical baseboards are cheap, which keeps the coasts down on the spec houses, partly because nuclear power was suppose to drive down the cost. But electricity is more expensive here and in the NY area than just about anywhere else (though California may dispute that), driving a lot of people into looking for alternative sources. (The nuke plant I worked for ending up costing 4 billion when put into service in '85.) Oil prices moderated, and a lot of people went that route. Even now, as I tramp through a lot of homes under construction, oil burners are predominant, usually connected to hydronic systems via baseboard heat.
Gas is slowly making inroads here. The higher efficiency ratings of the furnaces are luring a lot of people into that arena. The only problem with gas, is its history, and people's perception of its potential problems. When we were looking to convert, my DW refused to even consider gas. She claims to get headaches in a house heated by gas, or where there is a gas cook stove. And every few years or so, the news headlines a gruesome story whereby all the occupants have died from CO poisoning, invariably due to a faulty gas furnace. (Usually from an older and malmaintained unit, though they aren't so quick to point that out.)
Anyway, hope that answered your question, and you didn't fall asleep half way through it.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Thanks fer the info.
Around here (central Illinois) I'd say 90%+ of new construction is natural gas. The balance is electric, ground source, or propane. I don't even know of anywhere you can get heating oil.
Funny how things vary from region to region.
BTW - Why do they call it "forced" ait heat? The air isn't really forced - Just kinda gently pushed along by the fan.
Maybe it would be PC to call it "persuaded" air..................(-:All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.