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Hi,

The 2009 IRC requires that any kitchen exhaust fan that is over 400 CFM have a make-up air system that is the same CFM as the kit exhaust fan....and the make up air is wired to come on when...

If only he had gas present.......

From my experience each mfg changes rebates quite often, so I'd be suprised if any given website could assimilate all that and report it accuratately.

Yes, good point on the bold. I did not realize the 1st stage of the 5 ton system had such a high output on stage 1.

The proposed system seems decent for your climate and system location (attic). In your area, I assume your elec rates (all inclusive, including taxes) are relatively high so a 16 SEER seems...

With a 5ton whole house cooling load, obviously a single 5 ton geo (two stage), zoned and with proper ductwork would suffice for summer....and would rely on elec resistance back-up for some of...

AT the top you said you "measured" heat loss at 19k vs. software estimate of 35k . What was your method to "measure" the 19k?

The fiberglass batt insulation you're using.....does it have paper on one side? If so, THAT is your "vapor barrier" and you do not want to add an additional vapor barrier in that situation. Based...

If the attic location offers the best HVAC system airflow, then you could consider intalling the unit and ductwork in attic, and then insulating the roof rafters, rather than, or in addition to, the...

If you add roughly $100k to the bid, you'll probably be covered.

Tell your landlord the heat pump won't stop running to satisfy the thermostat in relatively mild weather (ie, far from dead of winter).

I agree with what Baldloonie said above. In short, it often pays the homeowner to insulate well. Going above code minimums regarding R-values never hurts.

If you go with two systems, try to...

The compressor in the outdoor unit is single stage in the XR15.

When I say "sweep" I'm essentially referring to the fittings you have currently. It's not uncommon to see flex duct with kinks....but you've got that covered with your current hard pipe ducting. ...

My reasoning is.......it's not uncommon for kit exhaust fans to exceed 800-1000 CFM's (right or wrong)......and SOMETIMES such fancy cooking equipment is in a relatively small 1 story home.....with...

I agree it doesn't make sense. But water dripping in the summer???

Seems like there's a blockage but he apparently checked that.

Maybe try an entirely new fan (quality fan and sized properly...

What CFM do you want/need for the kitchen exhaust? How big is the home (cubic footage)....and how tight is it?

Broan makes a decent one with damper and screen. Here's a pic.....http://www.reesewholesale.com/images/broan/broan_636_enlarged.jpg

If you're getting water/condensate back in the summer, that...

Do you have any recommended brands for whole house ventilating dehumidifiers?

I think if you have the resources and plan to live there for some time, it's foolish building new and NOT doing what you're proposing.

Maybe a constant pressure, or some call them variable spd well pump will solve the problem? Again, a well guy with open loop geo experience should know.

If you go with a modulating furnace, or any furnace with a variable speed fan, you can probably achieve SEER/EER efficiencies (if you include a new A/C system along with the furnace) to qualify for...

For clarification, you're saying the duct that used to draw in outdoor air and introduce said air into your ductwork is now simply sitting on/near basement floor, and drawing THAT air into the air...

The customer wants a two speed kitchen aid, 200/500 CFM. Based on that, per code I need to add MUA to the house.

Wandering if a simple MUA vent (same duct size as blower) with barometric damper...

what type of fossil fuel will you be using for heat....nat gas, or propane?

Good points, especially in the FL climate.

Any brand recommendations for whole house dehumidifiers?

For the fresh air wall-mounted intake vent, with screen and damper, whether for HRV/ERV or MUA in general, can anyone recommend a site/supplier that carries high quality wall-mounted vents?

A lot...

What do you mean, ...."only vented with soffit"? Does that mean there is NO ridge vent AND no eave vent? Or does that mean that section ONLY has ridge and soffit, with no eave vent?

If it's only...

make sure your soffit vents are open (not blocked with insulation, etc). Keep the attic fan, and as noted above, maybe lower its operating point a few degrees.

I'm doing something similar right now for a cust.

First, and not to get distracted, LP in in my region is one of the more expensive ways to heat a home. That said, and not knowing your electric...

The 2009 IRC, for the first time, effectively mandates tighter homes vs the 2006 IRC.

That means a visual inspection to ensure proper envelop sealing, OR a blower door test at completion of...

Regarding the MUA, a variable spd exhaust fan introduces another challenge.

If the exhaust maxes out at 600 CFM, so you need a 600 CFM intake somewhere. But, if the exhaust is variable speed, and...

Is this new construction, or a retrofit? Do you have nat gas, or propane as your fossil fuel supply? If nat gas, what's the cost per delivered therm (should be between $1-$1.5/delivered therm)? ...

Seperate question on this issue.....

Thermadore notes that their one exhaust fan, for example, is 500 CFM, and requires a 5" round (or 6", I forget).....duct for said fan.

When I review my...

Have you worked with many inspector's....in the capacity such that your pay will be complete upon final cert of occupancy?

I just talked with my local inspector about this and this new IRC code...

Good info, thanks for posting.

I'm facing this task now. Currently I'm trying to convince the customer to select a vent hood that maxes out at 400 cfm. If that doesn't work, I need to decide if...

Pg 488 of the 2009 IRC, upper right hand corner.

I'm going to ask local inspector if they're enforcing it, yet.

Going to be a real treat for folks retrofitting their kitchen only (ie, not...

Go to mfg training. See their websites and/or call the regional rep for training that may be coming to your area.

+2

In heating dominant climates, which sounds like the case for the original poster, the 2 stage units allow the sizing of the system, BEFORE accounting for back-up, to be larger....since cooling...

With your current system, how is the temperature on the 2nd floor in the summer/winter?

Does the condenser (outdoor unit) in #2 have 2 stage compressor?

In general, #2 should offer better...

Rebates not applicable if ALSO capitalizing on local utility company rebate for same purchase.

For example, PECO energy offers a $300 rebate on a 95% furnace, you CANNOT then tap the state's fund...

Oil furnace with baseboard heat? Do you mean oil boiler?

Regarding the gas water heater, I'm assuming you mean nat gas, and NOT propane? If she does have nat gas, than the oil furnace/boiler can...

Without knowing all the details....I'd say your best bang for the buck would be to skip the tankless water heater in favor of a direct vent tanked model (assuming it qualifies for CleanEnergy),...

Confirm with the contractor the minimum SEER, EER required to qualify for the NJ Clean Energy program. Personally, in your climate I wouldn't go much beyond the minimum SEER, EER as the payback is...

Yes, there are folks doing 6 figures pre-tax. Probably fewer today than 3-5 years ago, given the economy....but many still doing well even today.

The question is, WHY do you want to get into...

In your climate, and with no nat gas available, AND assuming relatively high elec rates......a dual fuel....heat pump with oil back-up makes the most sense.

Unless you own an oil company.
...

Don't forget about warranty too. Not sure what the warranty is on the 14ACX relative to the Carrier outdoor you noted.

Talk to the owner directly, without the salesman present. Explain your reasoning.....professionally. If the owner is long-term oriented and truely wants to grow, he'd be foolish to discount what...

The end game is to reduce energy consumption.

Nothing like big brotha to mandate "solutions" for energy reductions....many of which, like you discussed, work on paper but not too well in reality....

And the next breath they talk about housing affordability issues!!!!!