Original message
| learnalot
 |  "questions on new system"
, posted Mon 21 Jul 23:40  
We have installed a new central air conditioning split system and I am full of doubts. Compared to the window units we used to have, we are getting too much humidity for some of us and all our musical instruments. Should the system be able to maintain humidity at around 45%? Will I need additional equipment to do this (have read about "heat pipes"- but don't know).
Is the higher humidity (between around 50 and 65%) a sure sign that the system was oversized(Amana 3-ton 16SEER which we are using to cool the top floor of a bi-level, since the coolness always used to just flow down the stairs and be fine downstairs).
We are having to use fans to keep relatively comfortable at a thermostat setting of 74 degrees, but this is too warm for some of us (3 out of 4 of us adults are working at home most days).
I have read that it can be a mistake to use a pleated filter in the system. True? What instead (we have put in a 3M Filtrete).
I have also read that the attic exhaust fan (runs on thermostat, otherwise closes louvres that used to be open) that we just installed may be a mistake, in that it sucks moist air into the house and may be pulling cooled air into the attic itself through various pathways. When it's on in the heat of the day, it goes full blast, while the AC is often silent.
We also installed some replacement windows which are much tighter and more energy efficient than what we did have. Since the AC doesn't seem to be doing much of anything most of the time, this can feel kind of claustrophobic, especially in a closed bathroom that has no air conditioning but does have a fan going that's vented to the outside. The AC turns on just for a few minutes, then goes quiet. Should it really be active much more of the time? Should it make a powerful whooshing sound or be more of a gentle breeze (we sometimes get blasted awake by a cold wind at 3;30 in the morning).
Was really hoping for some significant savings on our electricity bill and help for the warming planet with all these changes, but so far the consumption is only 10% lower than same month last year, same temp.
I can smell that smell of dry dusty wood from the attic in the dining room at times, too, which seems to mean there is a problem somewhere. My husband says he can feel a leak of cold air into the attic from the plenum!
We think the installer did the right calculations, and is competent. They say they fully guarantee their work. What should I ask for when they come back - besides checking for leaks?
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