hey constantin

Larry Weingarten

I'll add that I met Constantin a few Wetstocks ago and am certain that if more people had the broad perspective, care and acute vision that he has, the world would be a MUCH nicer place. We're lucky he spends time here.

Yours, Larry

lenny_4

any updated photos of your project

Last time i saw photos of your project the installer had put in your vitocells. Do you have any updated photos of your new install?

Mad Dog_2

Installer?

I thought you did your own installs too? Seriously, not just bustin chops. Mad Dog

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Constantin

Patience, they're coming...

... the HVAC side of the building project has been slumbering in a cinderalla-like state for a while now. I have been insulating the pipes when I have the time, but outside of that, we're focusing a lot on finish work inside and soft+hardscape on the outside.

I just updated the GFX install thread to show the finished product. I hope to have pictures of our condensers going in soon... 5 tons it is...

Mad Dog_2

Just looking for a straight answer

Not trying to be cute. I just never was really clear on how you fit in to the hyronic puzzle. Are you a design guy, rep, GC. Just curious. Mad Dog

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Unknown

I believe

Constantin's background is not in heating , but in computer or software work , but I'll let him clarify . ( Oops , got that wrong , sorry Constantin ) .

I wish more of our customers had the knowlege of heating that Constantin does . Hell , I wish most heating contractors did .

Just curious , why 2 posts of basically the same question Matt ? You're looking for a straight answer , has something he posted in the past made you believe the contrary ?

Bob Eh?_2

I believe Constantine is a HO. Like myself he seems to want to make sure he does the right things in the process of organizing his new home and has obviously invested a lot of time into making sure that the money goes toward investing in long term satisfaction.

These days it seems that the construction industry generally baselines around providing code level designs and I have found that it is a lot easier to get Granite counter tops (and other cosmetic elements)than decent mechanical, HVAC, ventilation, and electrical design and installation.

The upshot of all of this is one ends up being your own GC and take control of finding appropriate trades suppliers to work with. This means you go out and research the thing to death so you can rationaly evaluate those trades as it would appear that the craftsmen in the crowd are few and far between.........

So far I am on track to producing what I want, for about the same money as a package solution, that should provide at least 45% lower energy demand, lower maintenace, and vastly improved comfort!

I have a team that is all on the same page, works together (No bitching about considering the other players etc.), and has gotten right into it. They have found several innovations along the way to further improve the initial design and work flow as a team. I would even say that we have achieved a family home atmosphere even as the job progresses.

One of the side effects is I am now afflicted with the dreaded "Wallitis" with advanced complications due to afflictions due to lurking around other building science sites! I believe had this occurred earlier in life I would likely be a P&H contractor as I type as opposed to being a networking and computer infrastructure designer. (An occupation that shares most of the same skill level diversity problems as your trade.... Bull baffles clients but doesn't produce the desired results as it were)

What ever happened to commitment to move ahead with pride in workmanship?

I feel blessed that I can spare the cycles to undertake this task and since I see us living there for a couple of decades I will reap the benefits for years.

Bob

Constantin

Hi Guys, I wasn't able to answer the second post last night...

...too tired.

Matt, if you did a search here, you could find a semi-CV of sorts when Mark Eatherton had the same question. To recap, my undergraduate degrees were in Manufacturing Engineering and Economics, then worked as a consultant to the DoE, among other things. Then I got an MBA and am now working as a Practice Leader for technology and innovation management in a medical device consulting company.

While I may have helped set some of the coming efficiency rules in the HVAC industry and developed an outdoor gas waterheater as part of my consulting experience, I still refer to myself as a mere homeowner for a reason, i.e. I do not work in the trade and I do not claim to have the same knowledge or experience as the many luminaries on this board about all aspects of heating systems.

Constantin

I couldn't agree more...

I spent about six months immersing myself in all things construction to understand just what lay ahead. It's what allowed me to write a 30 page spec sheet for the project, plan the various infrastructure projects, and detect BS whenever a contractor tried to snow me.

It was also what made me realize that I had the wrong GC initially. However, I was able to switch to a wonderful GC before major work commenced. The excellent tradesmen in all areas of construction that blessed our house with their hard work, laughs, and committment followed. Being intimately involved in the construction of the home has not only been extremely rewarding, but a great education in problem-solving, on-the-spot decisionmaking, etc.

Here is but a minor example of their work, the Harry Potter door™. Note the second (fully articulated) door built into it, which provides access to the space below the front stairway. That in turn has allowed us to accomodate two toilets under the stairs, one for the cat, the other for humans. Both toilets are evacuated via a HRV, so the smells should be kept to a minimum. Neat, eh?

J.C.A._3

Ron,

Having met and spoken with Constantin at Brookhaven, I think we both got the impression that he was being more than straightforward.

He doesn't claim to be a boiler specialist, BUT does come across as someone who has studied extensively in the mechanical trades.

At the Brookhaven seminar in April, I got the chance to sit across the table from him, and asked for a few translations on the "propaganda" that Dr. Tom had brought back from ISH.

His backround is in engineering, and it comes through loud and clear when speaking with him.He told me more things about different metals that manufacturers use, than anyone else could ever explain in a short period of time.

Having moved here from Germay(I believe), he also sees heating in a slighly different light than most of us do.
I think his pursuit of the best heating system for his own home has given him some drive to learn and make the most of the information he can get from us, the professionals.

Like I said earlier, having met Constantin, I will listen to what he says, and remember to think a bit deeper when it doesn't make sense, because he MAY know something other than what I have been taught. Rock on Connie. Chris

Constantin

Many thanks for the kind words, Chris.

... I hope that I don't confuse you all the time! Yet, your reminder brings a smile to my face as I remember the acronym-inquiry thread (what is WRT, IIRC, etc?) or Starch's (?) inquiry on how to pronounce my name.

Meeting you, Steamhead, Bill Nye, Eleft, Alan, Scott, etc. out at BNL was a true pleasure. There is nothing like sharing a couple of cold beers in good company and a tour of BNL to boot! The place reminded me so much of my old place of employ, from the cinder-block walls to the wear-and-tear, it was hard not to have flashbacks to long days and nights working in the lab... Nevermind all the cool toys!

Like you, I believe in giving back as much as I can and, for the most part, participants here have been appreciative. So, thanks again for the kind words, and don't hesitate to correct me if my ideas are out of line with reality, your experience, or you need a better explanation of why I'm thinking the way I do. To me, the Wall is a wonderful repository of information and every day more deposits are being made.

Mad Dog_2

Fair enough...

now i KNOW. I barely have enough time to search for my underwear and socks in the morning....let alone do searches on people at the wall... You certainly bring alot to the table here - no question. Just never had the time to learn about you. Now I know where you're coming from. Impressive resume. Mad Dog

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Larry (from OSHA)

it might just be

my computer screen, but the Harry Potter door looked kinda dark. I've lightened it up a little. Constantin, thanks for your perspectives on so many topics.

Larry (from OSHA)

Mad Dog_2

Well, Ron they were posted on two diiferent days

and I thought perhaps he was taking me wrong, so I wanted to clarify that I was genuinely just curious as I have seen him post here quite a bit and wanted to really know who he was, what his background was, and what he did for a living now. AS he stated himself here in his impromtu resume, just now, he IS not the average homeowner. In many of his posts, however, - albeit, in a very gracious and self-effacing way - he descibes himself as merely just "a homeowner." He probably is one of the most informed homeowners in America, hydronically and otherwise. Didn't know I was being chaperoned again, Ron. Sorry for asking the question. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

I too, would love to meet you someday

You are definitely an interesting cat. I'll buy the first round. Glad I know who you are now. Sorry to bum-rush you for an answer - one of my faults is impatience. If JCA, Bill Nye, and steamhead think your allright!!!!!! - you must be. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

10-4 Larry

Thanks, Mad Dog

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Maine doug

Hmmmm. If the

risers are 8 inches, the door would be OK for a 3-1/2 foot person. Is there someone living there you have not introduced??

Mad Dog_2

Very cool

they built that new? Either way - very beuatiful and charming. Mad Dog

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Mad Dog_2

Maybe that's where spot lives

From THe Musters. Mad Dog

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ScottMP

Thing ?



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