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Mechanicals

Hiding Ductwork With Architectural Details

Planning ahead and thinking outside the box allows builder Jason Black to incorporate HVAC duct chases in the design of interior rooms.
A Geothermal Heat Pump Takes Care of Heating and Cooling

Required by the developer because they're quiet, ground-source heat pumps are also efficient.
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Electric Floor Warming and Uncoupling in A Single Layer

These underfloor systems can work with almost any floor covering.
Minisplit Heat Pumps Efficiently Heat and Cool this House

Three indoor units provide the right mix of comfort and efficiency for this well-insulated but complex floor plan.
Designing a Sprinkler System for a California Home

Plentiful well water allows for a simple fire-suppression system separate from the domestic water supply.
A split-system heat-pump water heater

Locating the compressor outdoors and using CO2 as the refrigerant eliminates some of the biggest concerns builders have with typical hybrid water heaters have.
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High-Performance HVAC for Whole-Home System Design

The trend of whole-home system design is gaining ground in high-performance home building. This approach considers the home as a single system with interdependent parts, including framing, walls, insulation, windows,…
On the Way to Net Zero

Renewables are part of the strategy, but conservation comes first
FHB House 2017: Mechanicals

From minisplits to radiant heat, the 2017 FHB House mechanicals demonstrate reasonably priced principles of efficient design.
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The Comfort of Radiant In-Floor Heating

The Ampex Insulated PEX Panel by Amvic Building System has been specifically designed to provide easier, faster, and the most cost-effective installation and performance for Hydronic Radiant in-floor heating systems.