Advice from here: “Own your plan”
Obviously we favor owning and understanding your Mechanical Systems (that’s what we are all about) but what about your house plan? There are the One-Stop Building Contractors offering the Turn-Key project. “No Muss, No Fuss”, “We Design, We Build, Leave the Worrying to Us”. But you are going to live in this house. Is this your best option?
A real case: Skylight over the kitchen sink. Nope; and now the metal roof is on. Heat duct cut in directly under future “home” of the china hutch. In other words that old adage, “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail”.
Mechanical systems are no different. Has your mechanical contractor looked at heat loads? The HVAC industry has a good procedure known as Manual J for this very purpose. Even a Manual D for duct sizing if using Forced Air. Has your contractor availed himself to these resources? Odds are, Not. Rule of Thumb is the name of the game.
Hydronics, the situation is even worse with ½” tubing being the norm for in-floor heating. Can ½” tubing be used? Sure. But not without doing the numbers and sizing accordingly. What is the point of installing 300’ loops of ½” tubing and then run out of heat at 150’ at design conditions? Not a good idea and the homeowner will not even be aware until the temperatures drop to Design Conditions and the house is cold.
With a Manual J and flow rate calculation, these numbers can be known and above situation avoided. At least ask the questions and maybe even talk with someone that knows the answers. Rule of Thumb is the name of game. Our advice: Choose not to play.
Obviously we favor owning and understanding your Mechanical Systems (that’s what we are all about) but what about your house plan? There are the One-Stop Building Contractors offering the Turn-Key project. “No Muss, No Fuss”, “We Design, We Build, Leave the Worrying to Us”. But you are going to live in this house. Is this your best option?
A real case: Skylight over the kitchen sink. Nope; and now the metal roof is on. Heat duct cut in directly under future “home” of the china hutch. In other words that old adage, “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail”.
Mechanical systems are no different. Has your mechanical contractor looked at heat loads? The HVAC industry has a good procedure known as Manual J for this very purpose. Even a Manual D for duct sizing if using Forced Air. Has your contractor availed himself to these resources? Odds are, Not. Rule of Thumb is the name of the game.
Hydronics, the situation is even worse with ½” tubing being the norm for in-floor heating. Can ½” tubing be used? Sure. But not without doing the numbers and sizing accordingly. What is the point of installing 300’ loops of ½” tubing and then run out of heat at 150’ at design conditions? Not a good idea and the homeowner will not even be aware until the temperatures drop to Design Conditions and the house is cold.
With a Manual J and flow rate calculation, these numbers can be known and above situation avoided. At least ask the questions and maybe even talk with someone that knows the answers. Rule of Thumb is the name of game. Our advice: Choose not to play.