New Construction, looking for advice regarding off-grid system sizing

Re: New Construction, looking for advice regarding off-grid system sizing

Rossman wrote: »

so was looking at something like this, but I don't know if that "power saver" tech is worth anything at all in regards to off grid...

I have Lennox, but older model, about 4 years ago, 96% efficient. It is very quiet and works well. Mine wasn't designed for off-grid. The energy consumption depends on duty cycle which changes a lot depending on many factors. The problem with Lennox is that they don't sell their products and you will have to hire a contractor. I live in rural area, and the only contractor I could get was really bad one.

Forced air is not the only choice. As an alternative you can embed pipes into the floors and heat it with hot water that is heated by tankless water heater. It is supposed to be more efficient system which produces radiant heat. Supposedly makes you feel cozy and let you keep thermostat at lower temperature and still feel warm. This might be more efficient. But I don't know much about it.

Re: New Construction, looking for advice regarding off-grid system sizing

Since you are of grid and 'out there' do you plan on using any other forms of heat, ie wood cook stove or wood heater in the basement? or an external multi fuel furnace?

In floor heating installation of piping is a snap once you get a hand on how 1000 feet of pipe will unwind on you, when you are not expecting it. Her is a new product that combines insulation and clamps for the 1/2 in Pex pipe.
http://www.beaverplastics.com/Insulation/documents/insulworks.pdf a Canadian made product.
TIP: make sure the fill under your floor is REALLY level. I thought is was OK to good but when the styro went in the high spots became evident quickly.
I did it for future installation of radiant heating, problem is you can't do it after the concrete is laid... so if you think you might do it now. BTW the basement is warmer than the upstairs in winter with no heat.
Also if you will have a full height basement in ground , recommend using ICF's insulated concrete forms http://www.logixicf.com/. They cost a bit more but only takes 3 guys 2 days to put it all in place for a 32' x 38' basement. But hire a carpenter who has done/used it before. Probably saves a fair bit of money if you are isolated. Matter of fact you can build the entire house out of them.

here is our place as of last month.
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Re: New Construction, looking for advice regarding off-grid system sizing

I hired a cement floor finisher, cost about $1 per sq ft. I thought that was reasonable as they had a 4 hr drive one way, an overnight stay, and they didn't leave till after 10 pm and drove home. looks like a mirror.
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Re: New Construction, looking for advice regarding off-grid system sizing

I know someone that has an in floor heating system and uses a tankless gas heater that works for both the heat and hot water. Apparently, there can technical problems with the tankless heaters, and also can be difficult to find a technician that knows how to service and repair them efficiently. They just had a problem with theirs, and it took numerous trips from a local plumbing outfit, to finally resolve the problem. If I had a choice, I would stick with a regular forced air furnace.

If you live in a cold climate, an HRV makes sense for fresh air, as you recapture some of the lost heat. It is not difficult to incorporate the HRV into the furnace ducting, and as mentioned have it come on only when the furnace fan is turned on.