Why Do Million Dollar Homes Get Cheapo HVAC Systems?
I just don't get it. OK, I do get it, but it drives me crazy. It's not just that it drives me crazy, though. This is just plain stupid. I just don't get it. OK, I do get it, but…
HVAC
Does It Make Sense to Move the Building Envelope to the Roofline?
Putting spray foam insulation on the roofline of both existing homes and new homes has been growing in popularity over the past decade. But, is it always the best way to treat the building envelope? When does it make sense…
An HVAC Company That Thinks Outside the Box, Literally
I've written a lot about HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) companies in the Energy Vanguard blog, and a lot of what I've written is pretty critical. I've ruminated about why they won't do things right, gone on a tirade…
Oversized AC, Screwed-up Manual J, ENERGY STAR HVAC Tirade!
I was checking some REM/Rate files for our HERS raters yesterday, mostly submitted for ENERGY STAR homes. I've come to expect Manual J heating and cooling load calculations submitted along with the files to be less than perfect. Mostly, I…
The Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump’s Big Brother – CITY MULTI
In my last four HVAC Design jobs, I've specified ductless mini-split heat pumps. I have four more such jobs underway now. In my last four HVAC Design jobs, I've specified ductless mini-split heat pumps. I have four more such jobs…
Duct-Free Zone – The Advantages of Mini-Split Heat Pumps
Last week, (EVER rater and Green Curmudgeon) Carl Seville and I took a trip up to Suwannee, Georgia to visit the Mitsubishi HVAC facility and learn more about their ductless heat pumps. I've mentioned here before that when I get…
No Carts Before Horses – Design for Energy Efficiency Early
My recent visit to Savannah for the USGBC's green product expo charged up my historic preservation bug and got me to thinking about how to apply building science to historic buildings. My recent visit to Savannah for the USGBC's green…
How to Choose a Company to Do a Home Energy Audit
My two sisters-in-law have been in town the past few days, and one of them needs to get an energy audit for the home she and her husband recently bought in Seattle. I gave her a recommendation for a company…
The Ductopus or the Centipede – Which HVAC Duct System Is Better?
I've been thinking lately that I might be in danger of losing all my friends in the HVAC business because I've been a bit heavy on showing examples of what they get wrong but not so good at showing what…
Keep Out! – One Place NEVER to Put HVAC System Ducts
I had lunch yesterday with a friend who's an HVAC designer and home energy rater in North Carolina, and he mentioned the idea of separating HVAC design from HVAC contractors. For that to happen, though, HVAC contractors first have to…