Home HVAC Recommendations?
 

Hey guys and gals,
We're in the process of applying for permits to do some major renovation work to our house. Is anyone on the board a home AC expert, or know someone good? We're looking to convert our older Colonial home in Bergen County to central air. I've heard they make ductwork small enough so that you can adapt central air to anything these days, but I don't know anyone in the business. The back of the house will be ripped open for the addition we're planning, so it would be a good time to convert, I guess. :lol:

Hook a brother up!

Last I heard my friend's dad was in the business, i'll see what i can do

I'm in the biz(12 years in local 38 sheet metal workers union). what do you need to know. BTW colonials suck to put central air in . no attic to put the air handler in

Well, we're looking at doing one of the high-velocity systems, since they're easier to install; the ducting is only like 2". Our house is fortunately not like most of the colonials you see; it's got a real attic almost 5' high at the peak. Our bedrooms upstairs are already full-size, not with the little windows you see in most of the colonials.

So, I guess my question would be, who's a good installer of a high-velocity system?

high velocity is a mistake imo. easy to install, hard to make work as well as conventional. i should mention i own my own business not just talkin out the ass. there is more air noise for sure. if you follow the manufacturers recommendations youll usually end up undersized. so you really need a company that does a lot of them. i myself dont. i have done a few and they work fine. little noisy but they work. its a last resort for me to put those in. if you re doin renovations than you shouldnt have a problem with conventional.

Cool man, thanks for the input! You think if we have a 12' wide section opened up to do a new first floor and second floor room off the back we'll be able to get the conventional system installed easy enough? It sucks you're an hour away from me, otherwise I'd have you give me an estimate.

well the hour part would be your call. ive done jobs an hour away. either way ill help with info. i always suggest 2 small systems for a colonial or 1 system with 2 zones. with the insulation the high velocity ducts get to 4". yes thats small but where you would need 1 conventional duct you would need 3 or 4 high velocity ducts. to answer you question, yes i think if walls are being opened up you shouldnt have a prob with conventional. but again basement system=1st floor attic system=2nd floor :nod:

Very cool, thanks for the info and your help, I appreciate it!

That would be great, but I'm assuming the vents go through the floor when you have a basement unit. We have a mud-job ceramic tile floor in the dining room and kitchen which might pose a problem. ;)