Northern CA - Air Quality for New Construction Home

[kevinsf1]

Hi friends,

I'm currently doing a full remodel on a home I purchased in Alamo, CA (East Bay Area). The home is going to be relatively small, 1-story (2225 sq/ft).

I'll be building a completely new HVAC system; with new 5-ton AC/Furnace units and all new duct work (plus new windows, doors, insulation, etc.). I've been also doing a ton of research on indoor air quality...

I started my research into air purifiers, but also wanted to have a way to bring fresh air into the house. Summer nights are often cool enough here that with outside air being ventilated into the house, I believe we could likely minimize our AC costs in the summer, while bringing in fresh outside air to replace the stale air inside.

After reading this forum, I've discovered the Ultra-Aire products and am now thinking this is the right direction to go. That said however, based on the moderate climate I live in, I'm wondering how important a dehumidifier really is and whether I should just go with an ERV instead.

Two, I'd be eager to know if based on my climate, I should also be considering a humidifier as well or would that be overkill?

Three - does anyone have experience pairing an Ultra-Aire to a smart thermostat like a NEST or EcoBee (also impressed with the new Johnson
Controls Glas system)...and ensuring the motorized damper works correctly?

Thoughts or recommendations?

-Kevin

PS - Also tracking this Molekule thread which seems really interesting...would love to add the Molekule HVAC whole-house system down the road to work alongside my Ultra-Aire!

[teddy bear]

Elevation in coastal CA generally determines the moisture level of the air outside the home. When the outdoor air dew point is <55^F, fresh air ventilation is all that is needed. At sea level, expect +60^F dew points with cool damp air off the water.
Regardless, an air tight home should have mechanical fresh air for the times the home is closed and occupied.
This will would do if you are on high ground in western CA.
If coastal a small whole house Ultra-Air 70H would do well to bring the fresh air, filter and mix plus circulate throughout the home. Thank you for your consideration.
Keep us posted on your thoughts.
Regards Teddy Bear

[kevinsf1]

Elevation in coastal CA generally determines the moisture level of the air outside the home. When the outdoor air dew point is <55^F, fresh air ventilation is all that is needed. At sea level, expect +60^F dew points with cool damp air off the water.
Regardless, an air tight home should have mechanical fresh air for the times the home is closed and occupied.
This will would do if you are on high ground in western CA.
If coastal a small whole house Ultra-Air 70H would do well to bring the fresh air, filter and mix plus circulate throughout the home. Thank you for your consideration.
Keep us posted on your thoughts.
Regards Teddy Bear

So you think the smaller unit would be fine for our home even if the unit is sized for less than 1800 sqft and the home will be 2300? Assuming the smaller size because our climate isn’t that humid?

[BALloyd]

Who told you that you need 5 tons of cooling for a remodeled 2300 Sq ft house????

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

[kevinsf1]

One of the contractors. Seems like overkill, huh?

[teddy bear]

So you think the smaller unit would be fine for our home even if the unit is sized for less than 1800 sqft and the home will be 2300? Assuming the smaller size because our climate isn’t that humid?

Yes I do. I assume you are near the water.
Keep us posted.
Regards Teddy Bear

[john5220]

I have a 12K BTU AC in a 8x10 foot room I generally find it to be useful and handy on evenings when the sun is blasting the windows. I heard this is oversized for my room

[dan sw fl]

~ 2 TON

ATTACHMENT
____________ LOAD CALC 2300 SQ FT