Replies

1. 
   DavidThomas | Apr 17, 2002 10:34pm | #1

   Andy:  That's great.  Wish my wife would help me collect house performance data like that!   So is that without A/C running, or did you not even install A/C?  I argue that is one of the major benefits of the tight house.  If you can leave out an A/C or furnace (by using the HWH for space heating), etc, then you're starting to save capital costs (equipment and $100/ft floor space) in addition to operating costs.

   Solar input into my own place is great when it is 30F outside and the RFH has been left off for 2 weeks.  But without sufficient overhangs, I've got the windows open all summer.  In my defense, I saw it coming but wanted lots of glazing on the west where the views are.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

   
   

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   Edited 4/17/2002 3:35:48 PM ET by David Thomas

1. 
   AndyEngel | Apr 18, 2002 10:33pm | #2

   Nope, no A/C. Given that we can keep the house cool enough for our comfort by opening and closing the windows at the right times for all but a couple of weeks a year, we couldn't justify the expense that A/C and the accompanying ducts would add. We spent that money on a big, useable front porch that's a delight for much of the year. In fact, I think that the house is a little hotter now than it would be during similar weather in the summer because the leaves aren't on the trees yet to shade the west gable. And, the sun angle is a bit lower so there's still some solar gain happening that won't be in say, July.

   Andy Engel, Forum moderator

1. 
   JDRHI | Apr 19, 2002 05:40am | #3

    Andy,

    Just curious, do you have a "whole house" exhaust fan installed?

    We did a major renovation on a three story house a few years back. After buttoning it up tight with ample insulation and vapor barriers we installed the fan, sized for the home, and connected a thermostat. All the homeowners had to do was remember to crack a few windows before they turned in for the night and close `em back up before they left for work the following day. According to them it was better than any AC they`d ever had. Cool fresh air and the house rarely reached 80 degrees.

   JayJ. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

1. 
   tjcarcht | Apr 19, 2002 05:28pm | #4

   Unattended (arguably, ANY) whole-house fans should be connected to a smoke detection / zone alarm / fan shut-down relay arrangement.  Otherwise, if there is a fire, a whole-house fan will greatly assist in burning the house to the ground.T. Jeffery Clarke

   Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

1. 
   JDRHI | Apr 20, 2002 02:26am | #6

    Good point Jeff, this fan was wired as such. Shame on me for neglecting to mention.J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

2. 
   AndyEngel | Apr 19, 2002 08:47pm | #5

   No, I don't have a whole house fan. I sheathed the tops of the 2nd floor joists, so the entire attic floor is useful storage (and I've got a very effective air barrier). There's really no place to put one. There is a ceiling fan in our bedroom, which helps quite a bit.

   Remember, my house is in Connecticut, and what works there probably won't in Florida. The techniques might lower the A/C bill, but I doubt they'd eliminate the need. And, we're willing to sweat a little in the worst few weeks of summer humidity, and to actively open and close windows at the right time of day. I guess what I'm saying is that my house works quite well for tight-fisted Yankee of Scottish ancestry.Andy Engel, Forum moderator