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

[Sigarms]

How is this for a line set job?

Again, is it photo shopped or isn't it?

View attachment 593375

 

[jk96]

Yeah, cheap residential .. So you are getting a duct board and flex system, which is the cheapest you can get.
Sure hope none of it is in a crawl space or attic. I also hope they are good at putting that duct board together, or it will all fall apart in a few yrs.

Went to a guy's house last week. He called me complaining he doesn't get very good air flow .
Checked out his duct board and flex system and showed him where the duct board trunk line was coming apart at the seams, and air escaping into his basement.. His basement was warm though !

Heck, If you have the room. I would have them go with round metal pipe over duct board and flex. Round should be cheaper than square duct work put together with S locks and drives. And a heck of allot better than duct board and flex

This is why I asked about the duct system. Most residential customers don't know the difference and would never think to ask. We specified all hard duct in ours. There is no flex used anywhere but the fart fans.

 

[MGH PA]

This is why I asked about the duct system. Most residential customers don't know the difference and would never think to ask. We specified all hard duct in ours. There is no flex used anywhere but the fart fans.

Yep, thanks for all of the advice so far everyone. You've really given me a crash course education on this all.

 

[kenmac]

Yep, thanks for all of the advice so far everyone. You've really given me a crash course education on this all.

the cheapest isn't always the best. Neither is the most expensive.
But, if all they install is duct board and flex. I would pass

 

[kenmac]

Just for you. My director of technical services asked me how I edited the photo LOL Do a websearch. It's an original picture I assure you.

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well, You win the award ! I thought I had seen just about everything. But, I have never seen this:laughing:

 

[NorTracNY]

I think I'm now understanding why the quote for the radiant floor heating was so much more expensive than the forced air. It should be a few thousand more, but not what you were getting quoted.

Building a new place can certainly be difficult. So many choices at every stage. I remember the process for us. You end up having to put a lot of trust in a few people to do it right or it takes forever. Luckily you seem to have planned on it taking some time. In the end you'll be happier, but until then, you're likely to be pretty overwhelmed. And I'll agree with most of the recent comments about the low and high quotes. It's also the case that the lowest and highest quotes are not actually quoting the same job. The lowest is the person that wants to win with the lowest price and will do everything as cheap as possible. The highest might be the guy that would do it to make you the happiest and keep a reputation for quality.

 

[Sigarms]

I think I'm now understanding why the quote for the radiant floor heating was so much more expensive than the forced air.

Have no clue where you got that idea, because depending on layout, flooring and boiler, forced air could actually be more.

With radiant heat, you get NO air conditioning whatsoever.

Back up North and new contrstruction, for better homes, it was radiant heat and high velocity for AC.

 

[jk96]

Have no clue where you got that idea, because depending on layout, flooring and boiler, forced air could actually be more.

With radiant heat, you get NO air conditioning whatsoever.

Back up North and new contrstruction, for better homes, it was radiant heat and high velocity for AC.

Why would you not have AC? You still have to install all the ductwork for the AC side which is typically the reason radiant is so much extra.

 

[Sigarms]

Why would you not have AC? You still have to install all the ductwork for the AC side which is typically the reason radiant is so much extra.

My father has radiant heat only. I replaced his boiler in 94, it's still going strong.

Installing a boiler with pex / copper and or even cast iron radiant is going to be cheaper than adding AC onto the job with exisiting heat.

As noted in my previous post, most common meathod I used back in the 90's up north with radiant heat was using a high velocity system for AC. Still cheaper for radiant only though.

The question becomes why spend the extra money on radiant if you don't have to and you want AC as well?

To each their own as long as you're willing to spend what it's going to need to cost.

 

[kenmac]

Why would you not have AC? You still have to install all the ductwork for the AC side which is typically the reason radiant is so much extra.

Funny, back in the 70's we actually installed duct work and furnaces with no A/C (heat only) in new construction homes, while homes in the same subdivision got A/C added.

I travel to Texas this weekend to pick up my new system. Depending on weather, Hopefully I can get installed in the next few of weeks.
If all works out as planned, I should save some on my heat /cooling cost.