Choosing HVAC for Energy Star modular home w/gas- suggestions?

JLytel

Would like to hear suggestions on selecting HVAC system for new Energy Star modular house w/gas. We're interested in green alternatives but geothermal is too pricey; we like radiant but also need AC. Ideas welcome, thanks.

kpc_73

If it were...

my home I would go w/ a condensing gas boiler... Stainless steel type ( Embassy Onex or Triangle tube) Then either go w/ panel rads or Hot water baseboard sized to run off of low water temps at design temps.. say 140- 160F.
Radiant would be good in the bath aresa just as floor warmig... kpc

Ron Gillen

Mod/con for sure

If you're having a basement, radiant floor for sure. Main floor is always a problem for me if you need A/C. After living with infloor on the main floor I could never recommend a fan coil unit (might as well have a furnace) but you need the duct work for the A/C. Energy star home will need a ventilation systen (HRV/ERV) but the ones I've seen wouldn't work with air. Someone will probably tell you of a good unit that has ventilation and A/C capabilities. For comfort you want infloor.

Unknown

Mod con w/ mini split hp

Low temp radiant system for sure , the lower the temp the better. Mod con boiler and for the a/c I would use a heat pump mini split. The heat pumps are very efficient at warmer temps and are great to take the chill out in early spring and late fall. On the a/c side they offer many benefits such as dehumidify mode, zoning, remote control. Higher end units like samsung look like black mirrors and LG has one that is a picture frame, cant even tell its an a/c. Even the lower end units like NCP or Chigo are very efficient and work great.

Darin Cook_9

Spot On

Tony is right on the money. Your operating costs will be VERY low, which is where the real savings are in a system.

Darin

The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro)

I second that.....

eliminating ductwork (or most of it) eliminates a major air leakage path for typical homes. In a fire situation, it also eliminates a path for smoke through a home. Typically stud and joist spaces are used for return air in my area, so with each return air opening in the firerated drywalland the removal of the firestopping at each floor level, the fire integrity of the home is greatly compromised.

Boilerpro

steve_29

Tony x3