HVAC Design

[wilymcgee]

as an HVAC design professional, everything the Kimberly said, is 100% what SHOULD be done, and is what's done commercially, load calcs are very important!

[ericklodnicki]

Matt, thanks for putting these videos out. Your production quality has absolutely ramped up, and the content provides a really great foundational basis for considering so many elements of a build. It's all such a stark reminder of how considerate and deliberate you really should be when designing and then executing a remodel or build. Again, many thanks.

[TedKidd]

Yup, it all starts with an energy model!

Our process has a different step 2. We think step 2 should be exploring building shell improvement opportunities rather than equipment selection. At this step we do some iterative design charrette exercises.

Once you've settled upon how the house is improved, rerun the load calc, THEN pick equipment.

[DarronRansbarger]

1% of a $1, 000, 000 home is $10, 000. That's steep for engineering of only one system in the home.

[leonelramirez]

I have a small HVAC business. Before getting big im learning how to use the software so i can do it the right way. Its pretty tough but going to be worth it. None of that rule of thumb here. Good job lady.

[turtleturtle]

How do I find a good company like Positive Energy. That is the hardest part of the whole job.

[positiveenergy]

Awesome video! So cool to see Kimberly in action!

[JoniAntonio]

I contacted an HVAC company to install the ductwork and and the heating and cooling equipment $35, 000 in Boston, MA. I hired a company like hers to do the calcs for under $500. I received the plans and i am running the ductwork myself. I will also run the electrical for the units and i will just need to hire a plumber to run the gas pipes. I estimate this whole project to run me under $10, 000. Its so important to get the numbers right, you only get one shot at this.

[pingrn]

I must say the video, editing and production are all excellent. I am a little disappointed in the content in that no real design choices and decisions are discussed, much like the earlier insulation video. At least "This Old House" did some of that in their efforts.

[kruck]

Matt, I’m getting ready to have a house built that will have an above garage apartment. The house is one story and the main HVAC system will be in the crawl space. How would you suggest heating and cooling the apartment space? Dual zone, two separate units, or a mini split? My concern with a mini split is keeping the living area, bedroom, and bathroom of the apartment an even comfortable temperature.

[ajbeck]

Who are you going to hold accountable when/if you have issues with the system?? The 3rd party “design” company or the install contractor?? As a professional HVAC contractor I refuse to even look at a 3rd party’s Manual J, D, S, Z, C or T... ultimately I’m the one that’s held liable for the system... my ass is on the line.. the biggest problem with this industry is the GC wants to get the cheapest possible HVAC contractor to do the work, and they in-turn have to cut every corner they possibly can to try an turn a profit. I blame the GC 99.9% on the shitty mechanical systems you see in homes today..

[johnvandemark]

It's not that these people are wrong but it's going to cost you 4 times as much and still be hot upstairs in the summertime. Every house I go into is pulling 80% of the return air from the first floor. Get that balanced out and you will have a much more comfortable home

[specialblend]

I like having a third party pick the equipment. less likely to cut corners or try to upsell.

Off topic, but what model green office chairs are those?

[rockp]

Hi Matt and Kimberly, great video - thank you for putting it together. What do you recommend for filtration when installing a ducted system? This question applies to both the ERV and the air handler. Thank you for your time.

[Brendodrum]

Hey Matt,
How important is it to have a local HVAC designer? I live in the Puget Sound area of WA state. My wife and I are building a home this year and want to get the HVAC system designed/engineered. We’ve had some trouble finding an HVAC designer locally that isn’t already busy or who hasn’t shifted their business to mostly commercial building. However, I can find many online companies that will work with us. So, I was wondering, how important is it to find a local HVAC designer? Would it be appropriate to hire Positive Energy?

[ghettohey]

Yeah thats all good but not being able to give a solid estimate on the cost is a sticking point for alot of people. Just telling people that it will cost 1% or 2% of the total cost to build probably scares alot of potential customers off cause at the end of the day people want to be able to control costs or know exactly how much something will cost. If this company would have a set price for say different sq ft then it would be better.

[Jookyforever]

Do you select structural design consultants as well, or leave it to the architect?

[ZimorKilled]

"500 sft / ton", "put the ducts wherever we can fit them" ... no way I will let a contractor with that mentality anywhere near my design.

[BoomhauerWorldwide]

Are these people an engineering firm? Or do they literally just do load calcs?
It is often done poorly, but duct design isn't rocket science.

[publicmail]

In FL here it's a shame how people are sold just a condenser with their 40 year old blower and ductwork, code changes should prevent this. Efficiency is all about sizing and duct work, my neighbors elec bill is 2-3 time mine because they have mismatched poor AC. In the hottest months my AC operates 4-4.5 hrs per 24hr. Either side of me they run continuously, and very old units. Goes the same for heat pump.