HVAC Design Contractors
Last Post 23 Sep 2015 08:33 PM by BadgerBoilerMN. 5 Replies.
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berkyUser is Offline
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02 Sep 2015 11:00 PM
I'm currently looking heavily into the HVAC design (manual J/T/S/D/etc). Based on various threads I've read here, many people seem to like EnergyWise Structures. While I am definitely considering using them, are there others that people have used successfully? Any that you have felt are NOT up to par?

So far I've found through simple searching and forum browsing (I have no idea if some of these are good/bad/other):

EnergyWise Structures (www.energywisestructures.com)
Energy Vanguard (www.energyvanguard.com)
Optimal Building Systems (optimalbuilding.com)
Home Energy Partners (http://homeenergypartners.com/)
Perfect Home HVAC Design (http://www.perfect-home-hvac-design.com/)
Steven Winter Associates (http://www.swinter.com/markets-residential-energy-consulting-hvac-mechanical.htm)
ConsultAir HVAC Design Solutions (http://www.loadcalculations.com/)
DuctWorks Heating and Cooling (https://www.ductworks.net/hvac-layout-design-services/)
Carstairs Energy (http://www.carstairsenergycalcs.com/hvac_design.php)
*Local Contractors

I dont' want to overpay, but more importantly I don't want to get bad calculations either. I know some local contractors could do this as well, but I would not be using them for installation of the system.

Any help is much appreciated.
agagent3User is Offline
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22 Sep 2015 01:45 PM
I have used the Manual J spreadsheet available at this site; http://www.acca.org/communities/community-home/librarydocuments/viewdocument?DocumentKey=0bc73e80-6c3c-43cb-bdb2-43316a380fa4 It enable one to do a room-by-room load calculation. I have also used BEopt from the National Renewable Energy site. It is satisfying when one comes up with the same answer AND it works in the home. I have sized three homes using this process and found it sized the equipment appropriately. As a side note, the "professional" HVAC people were way off in terms of equipment sizing. Needless to say I was very disappointed in the "processionals" that came recommended to me.. As the saying goes, "figures don't lie, only lairs figure". And I'm reminded of the other saying, "garbage in; garbage out".
berkyUser is Offline
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22 Sep 2015 03:39 PM
Thanks! I have also found this nifty little site that I plan to use as well.... Once the plans are finalized.



https://www.coolcalc.com/

BadgerBoilerMNUser is Offline
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22 Sep 2015 05:48 PM
Bashing "professionals" always makes me think of the first profession...and lawyers. It is a bit insulting to be rounded up with the first, but certainly degrading to be lumped in with the latter.

We have been using "expensive" Wrightsoft Manual 'J' software for a decade now without over-sizing a boiler, condenser or ERV. Not even once.
MA<br>www.badgerboilerservice.com
agagent3User is Offline
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22 Sep 2015 06:23 PM
I don't wish to demean professionals however, I think in this laissez-faire environment the home owner needs to become informed and discriminating in his/her choice of builders, installers etc. (Look at the popularity of Angie’s List) I have always been told to rely on the "professionals". As my former colleagues reminded me, many professionals are salesmen first. I think of a dairy cattle nutritionist I came across who was out selling mineral and balanced rations to dairy farmers. Unfortunately he never had any formal training in dairy nutrition. His prior experience was in selling dishwashers. He sold a lot of mineral but didn’t last.
BadgerBoilerMNUser is Offline
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23 Sep 2015 08:33 PM
It is good to be informed and many HVAC contractors lack basic design skills. This is why they call them tradesman. However. the true tradesman bristles at the "word" salesman. Most just want to make good systems work for their customers. Don't get me started on General contractors. Find a competent tradesman by asking the manufacturer for a reference. If they can't produce an ACCA Manual 'J', ask for another.

PS, Angie doesn't know anything about HVAC. Maybe window washing, house cleaning et. al. :-).

MA<br>www.badgerboilerservice.com
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