new home construction - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| jlb
 |  "new home construction"
, posted Fri 7 Nov 21:52  
WE are planning to build a new home and are a little overwhelmed at all the options. We are building an ICF (insulated concrete form walls) home in Houston - very humid.
Our impression is that this very tight house needs 12-14 Seer w/ expansion valves ,variable speed furnace, fresh air intake with media filter, thermostat with humidistat. Is that correct? How important is sheet metal ducting vs silver flex R? Do you need UV lights to control mold growth on the evap coils?
Thanks,
J
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Replies:
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| Xenos
Webmaster 
| "Re(1):new home construction" , posted Sat 8 Nov 07:16
Hi J just to aid you in clarification. Seer is Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Basically it’s The EER Energy Efficiency Rating. Taken at 3 different operating conditions. This has nothing to do with the operation of the equipment other than how much it’s going to cost to run. IF everything is designed correctly a 10 SEER 48,000 BTU is the same as a 12 SEER 48,000 BTU unit. Only the 10 will require more hydro.
I am not a fan of Variable speed furnaces however if humidity is a concern it’s your best alternative. Some manufactures have a dehumidification cycle built into their furnaces. Where if the humidity gets to high the furnace will cut the speed of the fan increasing the latent heat removal of the unit and in some cases even start the heating to help out. This is not cheap mind you and this may be where this SEER comes into play as the energy you have gained with a higher seer will be off set the costs of dehumidification.
I cant make a comment on the duct work or the UV light other than I have never seen or even saw and add or article on using UV to control mold in a cooling system. If may be the next new thing I just haven’t hear of it yet. This is sort of the same with the duct work I have only used metal ducts but it may be a climate thing and your local contractors are the professionals when it comes to local climate.
Xenos.
The best way to escape a problem is to solve it.
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| | Ad Mech
| "Re(2):new home construction" , posted Wed 12 Nov 20:36
Concrete block, sounds like a prison cell, but to each his own.
Are you planning on just a heat pump system or a forced air and a/c. A/c naturally de-humidifies. De humidification is not normally a problem in the winter...UV lights are made by several different manufacturers..one of the best by honeywell..go for the double light unit if you are concerned about mold growth and have respiratory problems...a heat recovery air to air whole house filter system (Braun is one) will help with winter moisture and has a Hepa filter built in...last about 2 years costly to install about a grand and filters aren't cheap either... Best solution...
In floor radiant heat..you'll thank me after the initial cost of installation..A/c system at 12 seer with UV lights and a make up air system on a timer for whole house ventilation.
good luck
Dave
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