i have been researching insulation and HVAC and finding some disturbing information. Many of the problems are considered “normal” or ‘standard’ construction practices, though clearly they should not be. And while they don’t result in major issues in a house, they do fall short and lead to higher operating costs.
Example: poor fiberglass batt installations; oversized HVAC, even when following handbook load calcs.
However, with some attention to detail, and recognizing that it can be done wrong or right, many problems can be avoided.
Does anyone have any ideas how I can talk to my builder to avoid some of these pitfalls? I will be living in the house a long time and will be forking over alot of money.
Some sites recommend language to put in the contract (e.g. require RESNET Grade I installation for batt insulation, which includes a laundry list of requirements), some recommend hiring an inspector (e.g. Energy Star / HERS inspector; independent review of load calcs).
some more info: I am working with a well established and respected local builder who is traditional and seems to prefer the traditional building methods (e.g. fiberglass batt insulation). He works with a local, well established HVAC company (brick and mortar store, new and replacement, service, etc).
4000sft new construction in Greenville, SC.
Someone different but related since this is a discussion point:
Example below talks about EER instead of SEER. Does any of this make sense to you?
- Customers should request certified performance data (Total cooling capacity, sensible cooling capacity and EER) for the base equipment (SEER ≈ 13) and the higher SEER options for 95oF outdoor air temperature and 75oF indoor temperature and 50% relative humidity (63oF indoor wet bulb temperature).
- Cooling equipment with a sensible heat ratio (SHR = sensible cooling capacity ÷ total cooling capacity)3 greater than 0.75 with an indoor air temperature of 75oF and 50% relative humidity (63oF wet bulb) should be avoided in hot-humid climates.
Replies
we have a blower test required that puts an extra bit of pressure on insulation companies and HVAC contractors to install and seal their products as required.
HVAC contractors should not just be going off a handbook. a manual j takes into account windows (amount, ratings) doors, sqft, insulation... request to see this prior to the contract signing
Good Luck
When I visited a local American Lung Association project here to learn about healthier ways to build a house, nearly all they talked about were non-toxic components. Duh...
There appeared to be a ventilation system, and the president of the well-respected HVAC company was there to answer questions. I asked what the ACH rate (air changes per hour) of the ventilation system was. He didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Neither did the ALA person on site. I grabbed all the available literature... nothing.
If you are planning for ventilation, good luck. I'm met exactly one HVAC person who knew anything. His reason was excellent, he had an asthmatic daughter, had to learn. Operable windows, when never opened as is normal here in central Virginia, do not provide much ventilation. One HVAC salesman told a friend having a very expensive custom house built that opening the front door a couple of times per day was all the ventilation he needed.
My friend knew our house, with it's .5 ACH air system. He got a good house, but had to fight for it. Don't know what his insulation is, I carefully avoided much interaction as I was not involved with either the design or construction of the house. I would request better than fiberglass batts. Archives here will have lots of insulation information.
I don't deal with traditional construction, but do heat loss/gain calculations to ensure the house will perform as expected. Some jurisdictions require proof of performance before the building permit is issued. Strikes me as a reasonable requirement. As I recall, SC does not. Or did not, when I was last involved with a house there.
BTW, my friend hired a well-respected archy, and one of the better builders here. He figured he'd done all he needed to do. Wrong. Both the archy and the builder screwed up creating his dream. Cost him a lot extra because he failed to find the mistakes prior to construction.
Caveat emptor.