New Build, how do my specs look?

[jhartbarger]

I am building an 3000 sq ft Energy Star home that will be sprayed with closed cell foam (so it’s very tight) and this is my spec’d HVAC tell me what you think.

Climate Master Tranquility 27 4 Ton Geothermal.
Variable Speed Blower
Honeywell 8000 TS Thermostat
Aprilaire 5000 Electronic HF Air Cleaner
Aprilaire 600 Humidifer
Aprilaire 8100 HRV Ventilator
Marathon 75 Gal pre for Desuperheater (unwired)
Navien CR-180 Tankless WH

They are also installing 9kw of auxiliary and 19k of optional emergency heat strips.

Located in Toledo, OH (45mins due south of Detroit, MI)

Jason

[teddy bear]

What part of country do you live in? It make a difference in equipment needed. Regards TB

[jhartbarger]

location added

[BaldLoonie]

Who in their right mind would live in Toledo? There's a maniac on the loose there, goes by twilli!


How well are you building the place? Humidifiers are needed in leaky homes. I sure don't see the need for it in a well built place! If it is tight, you will need that ventilator or maybe consider one of TB's dehumidifier/ventilators.

[jhartbarger]

Who in their right mind would live in Toledo? There's a maniac on the loose there, goes by twilli!

Didn't know there was a fellow member around these parts :) should I be on the lookout?


How well are you building the place? Humidifiers are needed in leaky homes. I sure don't see the need for it in a well built place! If it is tight, you will need that ventilator or maybe consider one of TB's dehumidifier/ventilators.

Like I had mentioned it is a Energy Star build and being sprayed with closed cell foam so it will be very tight. The reason I had the humidifier in there was because the house lots of hardwood floors.

[ampulman]

Didn't know there was a fellow member around these parts :) should I be on the lookout?

Don't worry. He will be along shortly and find you.
AM

[BaldLoonie]

I wouldn't put the hum on now, you can always add it later. House that tight wil likely need the ventilator to lower winter humidity or as I mentioned, the combo ventilator/dehumidifier sold by Thermastor. Got a friend here who built a house like that and had to go that route to lower humidity in the winter.

twilli will find this thread and show his ugly mug in his avatar :p

[jhartbarger]

I wouldn't put the hum on now, you can always add it later. House that tight wil likely need the ventilator to lower winter humidity or as I mentioned, the combo ventilator/dehumidifier sold by Thermastor. Got a friend here who built a house like that and had to go that route to lower humidity in the winter.

twilli will find this thread and show his ugly mug in his avatar :p

So scrap the Humidifier for a dehumidifier?

[BaldLoonie]

That would be my suggestion based on the description of the house. TB will be back and tell you more.

http://www.thermastor.com/Ultra-Aire-UA-90H/

[jhartbarger]

I will wait for TB to reply again but from what I am hearing it sounds like I would scrap the humidifier and the Aprilaire 8100 and based on house size go with a Ultra-Aire XT150H

[paul42]

I will wait for TB to reply again but from what I am hearing it sounds like I would scrap the humidifier and the Aprilaire 8100 and based on house size go with a Ultra-Aire XT150H

The XT150H is a very efficient unit, but if your house is as well sealed as you are hoping for, then it will probably be larger than you need.

Spray foam CAN make for a very well sealed house, but it is not a guarantee. Make sure you have a reliable installer and consider a blower door test afterwards.

[jhartbarger]

The XT150H is a very efficient unit, but if your house is as well sealed as you are hoping for, then it will probably be larger than you need.

Spray foam CAN make for a very well sealed house, but it is not a guarantee. Make sure you have a reliable installer and consider a blower door test afterwards.

Yes a pressure test will be performed as well as a infrared test to find any leaky spots. As far as the XT150H is concerned i was just guessing based on the websites sizing

[teddy bear]

I am building an 3000 sq ft Energy Star home that will be sprayed with closed cell foam (so it’s very tight) and this is my spec’d HVAC tell me what you think.

Climate Master Tranquility 27 4 Ton Geothermal.
Variable Speed Blower
Honeywell 8000 TS Thermostat
Aprilaire 5000 Electronic HF Air Cleaner
Aprilaire 600 Humidifer
Aprilaire 8100 HRV Ventilator


The size of the dehumidifier is dependent on the quantity of fresh air and the number of occupants. For 6? occupants (6 X 7 cfm) plus (.01 cfm X 100 sqft. space) = 72 cfm. Toledo has a max outdoor dew point of 76^F. The Ultra-Aire 90 H is adequate for the amount of fresh air and number of occupants. Exceeding 125 cfm of fresh air requires UA XT150H. Small benefit for the HRV in your climate. For winter humidifcation, decreasing the fresh air will increase the indoor %RH. Thanks everybody. Regards TB

[arc8]

Is that place humid? if yes, than you don't need a humidifier.
Or is dry in the winter? if yes, than you don't a dehumidifier.

But, you do need an HRV or a ERV, i prefer the ERV.
The specs look okay, but i haven't seen your load calc, i cannot determine if the equipment is right. But at least those equipment are good stuff.

My recommendations,
1. for a tight house, consider an ERV for total exhaust system. use this for all exhaust, bathrooms, kitchen, etc.... not the dryer!
2. radiant floor heat whenver possible.

[geodude]

Erv, yes! it will balance the humidity We install them quite often on homes like yours as the bath exaust system, quiet, energy effcient, humidity control and in some states they qualify for energy effciency rebates.