OT: AC & Furnace

[an]

Brian, yes, I do track by energy usage very closely. I’m currently using http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/ to do the tracking. I can report back once I have more data.

Regarding the appliance, too bad this program wasn’t around last year. I upgraded all of my appliances last year when I upgraded my kitchen, so I won’t be able to take advantage of this program.

I don’t see how using dishwasher will save me energy over washing it my hand. Washing by hand uses 0 energy and very little water. Water is only need to rinse off the soap. My dishwasher doesn’t have heated dry feature.

[sdduuuude]

It is usually called a “whole house fan.”

Typically, the fan resides in the ceiling, with some sort of mechanism to seal off the attic from the main part of the house when the fan is off.

I use Tamarak brand. A little expensive, but quiet, subtle and the seal is motorized and seals well.

However, I had to modify it. The problem was caused by a poor seal between the attic and the house. The fan would pressurize the attic and instead of blowing air out the gable-end vents, it would blow dusty attic air into the house – through lighting fixtures, vents and such.

I ran it for 5 minutes before I decided it would not work. I smelled the attic air in the living room and, being sensitive to dust, took measures.

So, I kept the opening in the ceiling, with the seal in place, and removed the fans. I put the fans right at the gable end, so it pulls from the attic, which pulls from the house – then blows it straight outside. I think I lose efficiency this way, but I don’t blow attic dust into the bedroom.

In the recent remodel, added two fans on the side for more power. It works fine. I grew up in Tucson so I don’t feel the need for AC with these fans in place.

I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.

[sdduuuude]

It is usually called a “whole house fan.”

Typically, the fan resides in the ceiling, with some sort of mechanism to seal off the attic from the main part of the house when the fan is off.

I use Tamarak brand. A little expensive, but quiet, subtle and the seal is motorized and seals well.

However, I had to modify it. The problem was caused by a poor seal between the attic and the house. The fan would pressurize the attic and instead of blowing air out the gable-end vents, it would blow dusty attic air into the house – through lighting fixtures, vents and such.

I ran it for 5 minutes before I decided it would not work. I smelled the attic air in the living room and, being sensitive to dust, took measures.

So, I kept the opening in the ceiling, with the seal in place, and removed the fans. I put the fans right at the gable end, so it pulls from the attic, which pulls from the house – then blows it straight outside. I think I lose efficiency this way, but I don’t blow attic dust into the bedroom.

In the recent remodel, added two fans on the side for more power. It works fine. I grew up in Tucson so I don’t feel the need for AC with these fans in place.

I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.

[sdduuuude]

It is usually called a “whole house fan.”

Typically, the fan resides in the ceiling, with some sort of mechanism to seal off the attic from the main part of the house when the fan is off.

I use Tamarak brand. A little expensive, but quiet, subtle and the seal is motorized and seals well.

However, I had to modify it. The problem was caused by a poor seal between the attic and the house. The fan would pressurize the attic and instead of blowing air out the gable-end vents, it would blow dusty attic air into the house – through lighting fixtures, vents and such.

I ran it for 5 minutes before I decided it would not work. I smelled the attic air in the living room and, being sensitive to dust, took measures.

So, I kept the opening in the ceiling, with the seal in place, and removed the fans. I put the fans right at the gable end, so it pulls from the attic, which pulls from the house – then blows it straight outside. I think I lose efficiency this way, but I don’t blow attic dust into the bedroom.

In the recent remodel, added two fans on the side for more power. It works fine. I grew up in Tucson so I don’t feel the need for AC with these fans in place.

I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.

[sdduuuude]

It is usually called a “whole house fan.”

Typically, the fan resides in the ceiling, with some sort of mechanism to seal off the attic from the main part of the house when the fan is off.

I use Tamarak brand. A little expensive, but quiet, subtle and the seal is motorized and seals well.

However, I had to modify it. The problem was caused by a poor seal between the attic and the house. The fan would pressurize the attic and instead of blowing air out the gable-end vents, it would blow dusty attic air into the house – through lighting fixtures, vents and such.

I ran it for 5 minutes before I decided it would not work. I smelled the attic air in the living room and, being sensitive to dust, took measures.

So, I kept the opening in the ceiling, with the seal in place, and removed the fans. I put the fans right at the gable end, so it pulls from the attic, which pulls from the house – then blows it straight outside. I think I lose efficiency this way, but I don’t blow attic dust into the bedroom.

In the recent remodel, added two fans on the side for more power. It works fine. I grew up in Tucson so I don’t feel the need for AC with these fans in place.

I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.

[sdduuuude]

It is usually called a “whole house fan.”

Typically, the fan resides in the ceiling, with some sort of mechanism to seal off the attic from the main part of the house when the fan is off.

I use Tamarak brand. A little expensive, but quiet, subtle and the seal is motorized and seals well.

However, I had to modify it. The problem was caused by a poor seal between the attic and the house. The fan would pressurize the attic and instead of blowing air out the gable-end vents, it would blow dusty attic air into the house – through lighting fixtures, vents and such.

I ran it for 5 minutes before I decided it would not work. I smelled the attic air in the living room and, being sensitive to dust, took measures.

So, I kept the opening in the ceiling, with the seal in place, and removed the fans. I put the fans right at the gable end, so it pulls from the attic, which pulls from the house – then blows it straight outside. I think I lose efficiency this way, but I don’t blow attic dust into the bedroom.

In the recent remodel, added two fans on the side for more power. It works fine. I grew up in Tucson so I don’t feel the need for AC with these fans in place.

I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.

[an]

[quote=sdduuuude]
I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.[/quote]
Wow, $11k? They must not have been shopping around and they must have picked the best unit from Trane. I’m looking at $4200 for 16 SEER AC unit AND a 95% variable speed furnace.

[an]

[quote=sdduuuude]
I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.[/quote]
Wow, $11k? They must not have been shopping around and they must have picked the best unit from Trane. I’m looking at $4200 for 16 SEER AC unit AND a 95% variable speed furnace.

[an]

[quote=sdduuuude]
I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.[/quote]
Wow, $11k? They must not have been shopping around and they must have picked the best unit from Trane. I’m looking at $4200 for 16 SEER AC unit AND a 95% variable speed furnace.

[an]

[quote=sdduuuude]
I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.[/quote]
Wow, $11k? They must not have been shopping around and they must have picked the best unit from Trane. I’m looking at $4200 for 16 SEER AC unit AND a 95% variable speed furnace.

[an]

[quote=sdduuuude]
I know friends who spend $11K on their AC. Not for me. Not in SD. Maybe inland, it is needed, but we are in a breezy part of Clairemont.[/quote]
Wow, $11k? They must not have been shopping around and they must have picked the best unit from Trane. I’m looking at $4200 for 16 SEER AC unit AND a 95% variable speed furnace.

[sdduuuude]

AC/Heater combo. Definitely didn’t shop around. Some sales guy had his hooks into them, big time.

I just go to their house when it’s hot 🙂

[sdduuuude]

AC/Heater combo. Definitely didn’t shop around. Some sales guy had his hooks into them, big time.

I just go to their house when it’s hot 🙂

[sdduuuude]

AC/Heater combo. Definitely didn’t shop around. Some sales guy had his hooks into them, big time.

I just go to their house when it’s hot 🙂

[sdduuuude]

AC/Heater combo. Definitely didn’t shop around. Some sales guy had his hooks into them, big time.

I just go to their house when it’s hot 🙂

[Author]

Posts