New home is coming along! (appointed, best, builders)

[davephan]

Originally Posted by RexLan

There are times one simply cannot participate further. Another peek into your lack of knowledge and now the fan club has chimed in.

I see you picked up a new buzz phrase - J load calc ----

I have been a HVAC engineer doing small jobs like hospitals and schools for the better part of 40 years and never had any idea that an oversize AC system may not reduce humidity ... tip of the day I say and I'm going to spend that knowledge wisely ... LMFAO.

All the folks who like it hot - personal choice.

I'm done with you kids - have a nice day .....,

What do you think about two stage air conditioning? We had a two stage air conditioning system installed along with a new high efficiency furnace a couple years ago. The heat and humidity only lasts for a few months in Minnesota, but the two stage air conditioning does a much better job cooling and dehumidification than the single stage air conditioning in our experience. The system alternates between cooling and dehumidification. The heating is more uniform too, since the fan is continuously running, but usually at a very low level. The blower is continuously variable. How common are two stage air conditioning systems in Florida? After experiencing two stage air conditioning in Minnesota, I think it would be even better in Florida, where the heat and humidity lasts longer and is more severe.

[SgtRich]

Nothing dramatic to post, house is plodding along, which is fine by us, we're in no hurry.

Looks like they're about to put in the stem wall for the pool, drywall is pretty much finished, cabinets should be going in "soon".

[mr&mrssunshine]

looks like you are having a tall island bar not a flat one piece ?

[RexLan]

Originally Posted by davephan

What do you think about two stage air conditioning? We had a two stage air conditioning system installed along with a new high efficiency furnace a couple years ago. The heat and humidity only lasts for a few months in Minnesota, but the two stage air conditioning does a much better job cooling and dehumidification than the single stage air conditioning in our experience. The system alternates between cooling and dehumidification. The heating is more uniform too, since the fan is continuously running, but usually at a very low level. The blower is continuously variable. How common are two stage air conditioning systems in Florida? After experiencing two stage air conditioning in Minnesota, I think it would be even better in Florida, where the heat and humidity lasts longer and is more severe.

2 stage is superior, hands down but with say a 4 ton system you will still be running over 2 1/2 tons on low stage. During dehumidification it is still running the compressor for cooling so the coil will condense the moisture but significantly reduces the air flow.

Problem with FL is it is down, dirty and cheap and most folks will not pay for the quality - it is expensive. I have only seen a handful of quality HVAC installs. Most all are done with flex and strung all over the place, not necessarily without sagging and lots of ductboard.. Contractors love to use boxed in returns, sometimes in supplies too, and branch out from them ... we call them ductoctopus!

The only difficulty with the staged equipment and very long run cycles is the overall efficiency is really skewed. People tout the high SEER but the real number is the EER which accounts for the total energy used in the process. For example you can easily have an 18 SEER unit but it will not be energy star certified because of the low EER ... needs to be 12 and most units will be 10.5 - 11, but high SEER. Mine is this way.

In FL you do not want you AH fan running continuous as the attic temps can be well over 120° and you will pick up heat in the duct system even though FL recently went to an R8. What you want is a long cycle time between starts and this is best accomplished by NOT over sizing the equipment or running too much air across the evaporator. However, it does need to be sized sufficient to handle the hottest day and coolest inside temp you want.

I just put a Carrier 5 stage Infinity system in my new home w/4 zones. It stages down to 25% and runs down to 1 Ton and 400 CFM. It does a good job on dehumidification but I also put a Honeywell DR-90 whole home dehumidifier in the system and it will take up to 90 pints a day out of the air. Great investment for $1,500 and it allows you to downsize your HP about 1/2 Ton and use the latent heat for cooling. You can also (with correct controls) not use the HP/fan coil as a dehumidifier and it will pay back pretty quick. The DR-90 only runs 200 CFM and can also provide some ventilation - excellent product.

Probably too much information but it will give the Rat some more buzz phrases to go with the Wikipedia text ...

[SgtRich]

Originally Posted by mr&mrssunshine

looks like you are having a tall island bar not a flat one piece ?

Yes, I "think" that's correct, it's been so long I can't recall! So I went back to the diagrams and I believe that's correct.

Our thinking was that way, you don't see dirty dishes or pots sitting on the lower level, as the higher level blocks that from the living room.

My sister has a similar arrangement and we liked it. You do give up a larger space overall but, hopefully that's ok.

Your thoughts/opinion?

[SeaRay35]

Originally Posted by SgtRich

Yes, I "think" that's correct, it's been so long I can't recall! So I went back to the diagrams and I believe that's correct.

Our thinking was that way, you don't see dirty dishes or pots sitting on the lower level, as the higher level blocks that from the living room.

My sister has a similar arrangement and we liked it. You do give up a larger space overall but, hopefully that's ok.

Your thoughts/opinion?

We have similar in our newer home and love it. Upper area for stools and hides most of the things on the lower.
Hopefully we can keep this thread to your house

[mr&mrssunshine]

personally I hate them, yes they hide cr@p you cant be bothered to put away but give me the flat 'party' bar everytime


here is a nice one we did for a client

[SgtRich]

Thanks guys for both your replies. I can see the appeal of either personally, the flat party bar, which we have in our current house, does give you more room, for parties and similar.

But, I really like having a place to put our bar stools also, which we already have and are very nice. So, we need to use em somewhere!

I also like having the bar at, well, bar height. For placing your drinks, resting your elbow and so on. And then, you can have your margarita mixer and fixins on the lower shelf and it's not as ugly as being on a flat surface.

So obviously, we went with the higher bar for reasons stated. Just a personal preference I spose. We'll let ya know in a few months if we still like it!

[SeaRay35]

This is ours

[Pau Hana Daz]

Originally Posted by SgtRich

Thanks guys for both your replies. I can see the appeal of either personally, the flat party bar, which we have in our current house, does give you more room, for parties and similar.

But, I really like having a place to put our bar stools also, which we already have and are very nice. So, we need to use em somewhere!

I also like having the bar at, well, bar height. For placing your drinks, resting your elbow and so on. And then, you can have your margarita mixer and fixins on the lower shelf and it's not as ugly as being on a flat surface.

So obviously, we went with the higher bar for reasons stated. Just a personal preference I spose. We'll let ya know in a few months if we still like it!

We'll just have to see once you're all moved in and have us over for cocktails...