A/C in a church

John R. Hall

After being inspired by a Wall post a couple of years ago, I visited a contractor friend who was doing a replacement job for a church in western Michigan. Church jobs are interesting, as Wallies will attest to, because of the unique shape of the building(s), abundance of windows (heat loss/gain), usage (load demand on days of worship and meetings), and the reluctance for church elders (at times) to understand the true costs of installing and maintaining an efficient HVAC system.

I think that designing a system for older commercial buildings like churches and schools can be challenging yet very rewarding, kind of a niche market. I am always interested in these types of stories and welcome any feedback from Wallies.

This is the link to the article from August, '04:

http://www.achrnews.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,1338,131098,00.html

ed wallace

A/C in a church

as some of you know i am putting together a proposal to install an A/C system in a historic church in Cambridge Ma. I have 2 proposals 1 is a hi-vee system the other is multiple mini split systems I would like to find some churches in the new england area that has either of these systems installed in order to meet with the church people to ask questions can any body help me
thanks in advance
Ed Wallace

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Mike E_2

I'm not located in the New England area, but my church did install 4 mini splits 3 years ago. I am located in SE Wisconsin. If you have any questions, I would be glad to discuss my experience with them.

The one thing that I would definately reccomend is to get a system that has programmable wired thermostats as an option.
The one thing that I hate about our systems is the remotes.

Mike E_2

I'm not located in the New England area, but my church did install 4 mini splits 3 years ago. I am located in SE Wisconsin. If you have any questions, I would be glad to discuss my experience with them.

The one thing that I would definately recommend is to get a system that has programmable wired thermostats as an option.
The one thing that I hate about our systems is the remotes.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7084/img01912ox.jpg
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1770/img01928gk.jpg

Michael

Mike T., Swampeast MO

If there's a nearby chapter of the "Society for the Protection of New England Antiquities" they can probably direct you well! I've heard on an "old house" site that they were VERY helpful in JUST this sort of thing.

Here's their website.

tim smith

A/C in church

Depending on the size of the church and if it is large enough, you may want to look at the Mitsubishi City Multi. It is a multiple zone heat pump with a commong distribution box with reversing valves in the distribution box. It will heat and cool at the same time depending on zone requirements and recovers energy especially when there is demand for both heat and cool. The air handler sizes are vary wide, I think between .5 ton to 5 ton units. One house I saw had a 15 ton outdoor unit with 7 air handlers. I think these units go up to 40 tons. Just a thought.