Fireplace? Decision Making: Energy Wise & Otherwise
1 zone or 2? Buyer wants changes?
How bad is “Oversizing?”
How can we reduce the heat load? Concealed Unit or Wall Mount?
When to keep old equipment? Western Exposure?
Change Order?
Need an ERV-HRV?
Ducts Inside Envelope or in the Attic? Does a Room Add makes sense?
How much can a 2 ton do?
How tight can we get this one?
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Manual J? Manual D? Mini Split Heat Pump? What Size? Even with 2 Room Adds? How about a Garage Conversion? Still 2 ton? Rigid Insulation?
Low E 140? © 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
The Sign Sold The House Actually, the client had responded to our CraigsList ad about 18 months ago. She had loved the work, just wasn’t sold on the neighborhood. She remembered our sign and when she saw it in a “better” neighborhood, she called and after a quick look, said, “I’ll take it.”
This is the 6th house (out of 12) that has been sold before it was finished. Pre-sales are great but have their own challenges (discussion)
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
© 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
This Thing’s Gotta Go They make a big noise when they hit the ground!
No need for a crane with gravity’s help.
This one is 30 years old, and although our lipstick flipping competitors would just put in a new filter and keep on going, for us, that’s not a choice. Take it off before the re roofing. G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
© 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
We Love Pools Because most investors dont. Especially in the hot Cental Valley, a pool is a draw for buyers. This one needs a re-plaster. Shop around. Contractors are hungry. Good prices abound.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Bad Roofing Detail This needs a metal valley. Although this may work for a few years, it wont last for the 30 year rating of the shingles.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Correct Valley Detail Here the metal valley flashing is installed under the new 30 year comp roof.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
New PEX Install Photo shows that we dont remove more drywall than necessary. We never technically do a “full gut remodel” No use filling up the landfill ... Or buying new drywall.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
© 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
That Cabinet Soffit Was The Worst Energy Bandit Area where soffit was removed gave free access from the attic down the walls. If this soffit had not been removed, the walls should have been sealed at the top or filled with insulation, along with the soffit. We prefer to remove them and have a flat ceiling. G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Fireplace Had To Go
With apologies to interior decorators and Realtors who like them. They are the biggest energy losers around. G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
10 Weeks To Get This Piece Of Paper
Unbelievable! G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Recycling Save the landfill Save the labor Save the money New drive to rear alley will work perfectly for new buyer’s truck and landscape maintenance trailer
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
High and Low Eyebrow Vents The main purpose of doing this is to eliminate conventional eave vents which are energy losers. It takes an infrared camera to see and believe this ... But once you see ... You’ll minimize eave venting. G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Wrap On Eastern Addition We were just going to do this conventionally, when the buyer decided to convert the garage sometime in the future. Adding rigid foam to these new walls will drop the heat-cool load enough to allow the smallest Heat Pump to still work!
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Example of Rigid Foam This was a previous home where we used rigid foam over rotted plywood siding. Note the gable vent to add venting. And the Mini Split Heat Pump Location.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
After Final Dash Coat
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Trusses & Roof Installed Using trusses, even on such small jobs like this, still saves money and allows a perfect match in the roof plane of the existing trusses.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Living and Dining Bump Out We wouldn’t have done this addition if it had to stand on it’s own merits. But all the trades were on site to do the Bath and closet addition at the other end of the house. And this extended into wasted sideyard. Now the Great Room & Dining Area will be Remarkable G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
© 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Foil Backed OSB This helps a little. The additive alternate pricing difference is so small, it is worth it to go ahead and add it.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Before The Bump Out Note the old cellulose insulation, Gable Vent Let In bracing, not used any more.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Panasonic ERV For $300 materials and $300 install, why would we not give our clients clean fresh air? For some reason new home builders have resisted all the way till this year. A sad commentary, which indicates that contractors need regulation ..... Or the buying public needs to wake up, get educated and DEMAND better building G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
ERV & Mini Split (typical) Panasonic ERV
Fujitsu Indoor Unit Wall Mounted
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Indoor Unit From Stock Photography Indoor units can be quite unobtrusive.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
ERV & Concealed Unit Of Fujitsu Mini Split
Concealed Unit & Ductwork is above this lowered ceiling
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Panasonic “Spot ERV” This unit delivers fresh air all to this spot. Circulation from both zones is required to distribute the fresh air. Not A Problem.
© 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Mini Split Concealed Unit Before It Got Concealed Notice the hard pipe instead of flex. Hard pipe is smoother and produces less static pressure. Mini Splits are less able to overcome static pressure than their bigger American Cousins. So Mini Split Ducts should be as short and straight and smooth as possible. G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Mini Split - Air Velocity The moving dampers, easily throw the air 18 fee across the space. This is a good application for open space floor plans.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Confirming Velocity and Adjusting Dampers. In this application, the dampers should be adjusted for balance and locked in place before the ceiling is installed.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Hard Pipe With Smooth Transitions Smooth Square to Round Transitions and straight runs create the least static pressure and make this system work better than anyone expected. It’s old school work and many HVAC installers dont have the knowledge or tools to do it. It pays to ask.
Dampers
Transitions
Freon Lines
Condensate Drain
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Mini Split Roof Mount Reasons GEE mounts the outside unit on the roof 1. Avoid Theft 2. Avoid kids & sticks = Back Yard Blender 3. Avoid Lawnmower rocks 4. Avoid dogs confusing them with fire hydrants 5. Shorter Freon run 6. Less elevation change 7. = More energy efficient 8. Save space in side yard. G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Mini Split Ground Mount Reasons why most contractors mount the outside unit on the ground: 1. They’ve always done it that way. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. I cant think of any more...
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Mini Split Using Flex Ductwork This is not as efficient as 1. Indoor Unit on the Wall 2. Ductwork in the Conditioned Space 3. Hard Pipe Ductwork. But it works in a very tight envelope with a low load. (Not recommended without the tight envelope and good insulation) G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Mini Split Using Flex The entire unit is wrapped in additional FSK insulation. This would be skipped by normal HVAC Contractors. The envelope and insulation is so efficient that the customer has rarely turned on one whole zone (bedroom wing) after one year.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Gas vs Electric: Surprised? Why the cost to heat is the same: 1. 300% efficiency vs 80% Even 300 vs 92 would not make much difference. 2. Stay in low tiers and get “electric only” rate
Here’s the address of the online calculator
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Note the Variables. $.16 electricity $1.25 gas 80% efficient furnace (roof mount) 300% efficient heat pump Good R8 ducts on both
© 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
One Way To Mount Mini Split Concealed Units. Two Concealed Units Sharing a large 20” x 30” Filter Return Box
(You wont see this anywhere else... Trade Secrets Revealed? Or just big boys havin’ fun with the toys?)
Ducts to Bedrooms go this way
Ducts to Living Area go this way
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
© 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Looking Up At 2 Concealed Units Sharing a 20x30 Filter Grille & Access
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
2 Concealed Units In The Attic Ducts and Unit and Attic still need insulation
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Hard Pipe Boot is sealed Ducts still need sealing and insulation
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Third Permit Roof and Change Order incl Gas Line
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Pool RePlumbing Permit
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Original Permit (s)
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Plot plan showing both room additions
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Shows total square footage. Newest (owner’s) plan is to convert the garage
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Note Minimum Energy Standards
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Floor Plan
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Owner Requested and Paid Change Order Wall Removal and Stove Relocation
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Foundation Plan showing required footings G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Roof plan showing required venting
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Section Showing Trusses
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Electrical Plan
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
HVAC Plan Showing central location and shared filter. All runs are very short and/or straight for max efficiency on the low static Mini Split Blowers.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time
Typical Home Performance Contracting Decision Tree Sell Customer on appointment Diagnostics & Test In Computer Modeling and Proposal Preparation Get input from roundtable Decide on a Scope of Work Try to sell the job Customer slashes budget Re model the revised scope Lick wounds Create new scope and proposal Yahoo! Make the small sale Retest & pretest for program Install the job Test out 3rd party test out Turn in to Providership Wait. Negotiate. Get coveted piece of paper Wait .......
Typical GEE Decision Tree Look at the job Decide it’s going to get the 30-13-55-15-300-8-.5-ES-3PV* Package Do the Job * Package includes U30 windows, R55 Attic, R13 walls, 300% heat pump, 15 SEER AC, R8 ducts, .5cfm50/sf leakage, Energy Star Lites & Appliances, 3KW PV system = Near Net Zero All the time we dont spend, goes to Family Time, Inventing new systems, Saving the Planet etc.
G r e e n E a r t h E q u i t i e s . C o m
Š 2010
Saving The Planet One House At A Time