New Construction HVAC decisions. Geothermal vs. alternatives with upgraded envelope.

[MGH PA]

Am I gathering it correct that you're looking at geo, but not do radiant floor heat? I understand the radiant heat is a little more expensive (labor cost is a little higher), but with new construction, I'd value the radiant heat over geo. I was lucky and learned about radiant heat before we built. Definitely one of the best aspects of my house. You'll save money long term as you will not set your heat as high and it's more efficient.

It's too expensive to have the Geo unit powering the radiant. I'm getting quotes between $10k + to add radiant to the geo system and that doesn't include the insulation.

 

[MGH PA]

We will probably do duracermaic in the bathrooms to avoid the cold foot problem.

 

[Guidshir]

From the standpoint of a really efficient home, how does a wood stove not poke holes in the envelope?

 

[4570Man]

From the standpoint of a really efficient home, how does a wood stove not poke holes in the envelope?

Some of the better stoves draw outside air for combustion.

 

[deezler]

From the standpoint of a really efficient home, how does a wood stove not poke holes in the envelope?

Huh? You mean a single, insulated chimney box going through the roof? Pretty negligible. You close the flue/damper/stove-intake when not using, for minimal draft.
But whenever it's very cold.... you typically have a fire going and the whole assembly radiates heat.

MGH, I hear you on not wanting to constantly do firewood work. But I have found that I really only need to devote 8-10 days a year outside to cutting and splitting, which my son like to help me with. And then about every other weekend, I have to bring over a new pallet or crate of firewood (using my tractor, of course) to the screen porch door and spend ~20 minutes to carry and stack it right by my patio door. It's really not much time in the grand scheme of things, for nearly free heat. My wife also like to keep the house over 70f, so she's eager to light fires and keep them going. I enjoy it, but recognize it's not for everyone.

 

[Sigarms]

I think my HVAC guy used the old school tip. That's why I ended up with 8 tons when I needed 4-5 at most.

THIS is why you always do a load to verify.

For retrofit, homeowners will generally tell you they don't have a issue with their current system. Charge them money to do the job, and then all of a sudden they will let you know if they had a problem becuase if they bought the house used, any issues they've always put up with BUT after spending money with you they feel like they deserve better.

More times than not on a new construction job, the capacity size of the equipment has been changed because the homeowner decided to change insulation in the home. This generally ONLY happens when the homeowner is actually talking to the HVAC sub. I find it amazing how many GC's won't let the homeowner talk to the subs. Homeowner tells the GC something, the GC is supposed to tell the sub. Ever play that game in kindergarden where you whisper something into someone elses ear and they do the same... Same thing happens when we're adults. Lack of communication.

 

[MGH PA]

THIS is why you always do a load to verify.

For retrofit, homeowners will generally tell you they don't have a issue with their current system. Charge them money to do the job, and then all of a sudden they will let you know if they had a problem becuase if they bought the house used, any issues they've always put up with BUT after spending money with you they feel like they deserve better.

More times than not on a new construction job, the capacity size of the equipment has been changed because the homeowner decided to change insulation in the home. This generally ONLY happens when the homeowner is actually talking to the HVAC sub. I find it amazing how many GC's won't let the homeowner talk to the subs. Homeowner tells the GC something, the GC is supposed to tell the sub. Ever play that game in kindergarden where you whisper something into someone elses ear and they do the same... Same thing happens when we're adults. Lack of communication.

Luckily my GC is letting me pick my subs, so I'm doing all of the research, quotes, etc.

 

[EddieWalker]

Luckily my GC is letting me pick my subs, so I'm doing all of the research, quotes, etc.

Why are you paying for a GC when you are doing his job?

 

[Sigarms]

Luckily my GC is letting me pick my subs, so I'm doing all of the research, quotes, etc.

Seems you have a good GC.

I've seen submittals put out by engineers that the end user has abssolutely NO CLUE what they're getting.

Recently had a local county animal shelter spec'ing out 30k for a new building on HVAC using ductless mini splits. Pure sheer stupidity. Luckily I knew the contractor and common sense prevailed.

 

[deezler]

Luckily my GC is letting me pick my subs, so I'm doing all of the research, quotes, etc.

Wait, what is the point of having a GC if you have to do all the work!?!? Lol. This exact scenario you mention is the only reason WHY I hired a contractor.