Community: Mechanicals

Much of the value of this site is the pooled experience of members and their willingness to share it. This page offers a Community area formatted for Questions & Answers dedicated to Mechanicals. Other topics appear to the right.

Anyone may ask a question and anyone may answer. Sometimes one of our 15 Advisors may chime in; in other cases, you'll get the wisdom of some of our members who have some experience in this area. We encourage everyone to give us the benefit of both their questions and answers. The usual rules of courtesy apply.

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3 Answers
Combined HRV and mini-split ?

Are there commercially available units which combine heat-recovery ventilation with an air-to-air heat pump?

I'm imagining something that could transfer heat from the exhaust duct to the supply duct of the HRV as needed during the heating season and vice-versa in the cooling season. Heat transfer within the HRV would be wholly conventional and the additional heating/cooling would be introduced in the duct supplying air from the HRV to the house.

Asked By Interested Onlooker | Mar 5 10
23 Answers
Best Ventilation Bang For The Buck In My Climate

I am in the process of a planning a new house. Approximately 2,000 - 2,500 square feet. ICF construction with sealed attic (spray foam under roof deck). I expect the house to be tight and want to make sure I provide for proper ventilation. I've read about the various options and I am now trying to determine what would be the best bang for the buck in my climate. The house will be built in the Lubbock Texas area (360 miles west and slightly north of Dallas). Climate is fairly dry.

Asked By Donald Cullon | Feb 24 10
2 Answers
My copper pipe is corroding and joints and faucets are being eaten up.

Copper joints are green then turn to white powder substance. We have some very expensive gooseneck water spouts that tend to hold water and these fixtures are being destroyed by same as the copper joints. The water is extremely soft but contains a lot of salt. I would like to know what would be the best solution to correcting these problems.

Tom Fleming

Asked By Carol Fleming | Mar 2 10
4 Answers
Is it safe to have a gas stove with a pilot light in a superinsulated house?

Our new super insulated home is nearing completion. My wife found a good deal on a used 36" Garland gas stove. We are about to purchase the stove but it has occurred to me it might not be a good idea to but a stove with a pilot light in a house like ours. The house has a heat recovery ventilation system and a wood stove with an external air supply. There is also a range hood above the stove vented outside. I have heard that I could generate negative pressure inside the house which would extinguish the pilot light.

Asked By David Simpson | Mar 1 10
18 Answers
How do YOU mix the Air in your Home?

In North Texas, the standard is forced air...that's all we know how to do.
Air conditioning is almost mandatory and forced air has been the method.

I have read posts from cold climate folks that use radiant heat or a fireplace as the heat source and they do not even have an air conditioner or duct system.

The forced air systems that we have around here are MONSTERS.
The units are usually large and the duct work looks like an overgrown octopus.

The typical attic is the worst place for these units and the maze of ductwork...

Asked By John Brooks | Feb 24 10
1 Answer
I'm a builder planning my first conditioned attic and have questions and concerns.

1. We build slab on grade. Any problems placing sealed combustion furnaces (Carrier) and water heaters (Navien) in the conditioned space? My concern is that I assume they are at least somewhat leaky (CO, CO2, etc.). If so, does that pose a problem to IAQ?

Asked By James Fincher | Feb 23 10
5 Answers
Low voltage electric radiant floor heat

There was a question about electric radiant floor heat mats several days ago. I've seen a product called Step Warm Floor that uses a graphite based strip and runs on low voltage electric that the manufacturer claims is much more efficient - they suggest is one of the most efficient heating methods around. It also costs about 4 times as much as the normal voltage electric mats. I'm no expert on electric theory so can't tell from the numbers if this would really work as advertised. Does this product have a track record of verified use? Any experience among participants here at GBA? Thanks.

Asked By Donald Lintner | Feb 15 10
1 Answer
Is a geothermal system good if we like a very warm house?

We live in NY and my wife likes to keep the house very warm during the winter. As part of a larger renovation I'm considering a geothermal heating system, but I'm not sure if it works as efficiently if we keep the house so warm - would the backup system be on more often than not?

Asked By John Zuckerman | Feb 13 10
12 Answers
Electric radiant heat mat for bathroom?

I am designing a well insulated double stud wall house - r35/r55 in New Hampshire. We would like to use solar hot water with some sort of boost/backup for not only hot water but radiant heat on the first floor. We will pour tubing in the basement slab for future use if we finish off the walk-out basement and decide we need it. We were thinking about no heat on the second floor except for electric radiant mats in the bathrooms under slate tile. It seems fairly efficient and cost effective especially if we are looking towards photovoltaics down the road.

Asked By Robert Swinburne | Feb 11 10
1 Answer
The Vermont Bun Baker

Have any of you guys living in Vermont heard of the Vermont Bun Baker?
http://www.vermontwoodstove.com/
It seems like it might be a nice little unit, but I can't seem to find any reviews. The website claims 70% efficiency and EPA certification, but again, I can't seem to find anyone who's actually used one.

Asked By Lucas Durand | Feb 10 10

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