New Construction in the Lakes Region

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

When we built our current home they were required to meet the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code requirements, some features were good such as heavy insulation in the attic, others were actually not good. It turned out the house was too tight and did not allow enough fresh air in.

You might try an energy recovery ventilator. We had one installed last year--pricey but worth every penny

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

You might try an energy recovery ventilator. We had one installed last year--pricey but worth every penny

His point was that if they had built the house with just a little more natural air exchange... they would not need the extra equipment.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

His point was that if they had built the house with just a little more natural air exchange... they would not need the extra equipment.

You are correct, but now I do have a super tight home so some options may help.

Up until now I have dealt with it mostly by keeping a couple windows not fully closed and the family going in an out all day. But overnight it can have a "stuffy feel especially when the HVAC is not running.

Thanks

[XCR-700]

If you ever what to hear a horror story about hardwood floor refinishing, we can start another thread,,,

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

His point was that if they had built the house with just a little more natural air exchange... they would not need the extra equipment.

I understood that. I thought he was struggling with a house already built.

More broadly though--I'm pretty sure that a tight house with an energy recovery ventilator is more comfortable, more economical, and greener than a leaky house. Thus the extra equipment is good

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

I understood that. I thought he was struggling with a house already built.

More broadly though--I'm pretty sure that a tight house with an energy recovery ventilator is more comfortable, more economical, and greener than a leaky house. Thus the extra equipment is good

There is an ongoing debate on that subject.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

There is an ongoing debate on that subject.

People can debate until they are blue in the face, and if there is not enough fresh air getting they may end up being blue in the face,,,

But seriously this is a matter of legitimate concern.

I hope people only pay attention to such matter as well as fumes coming out of all the goods we bring into our homes beyond the construction materials.

Most dont know that almost every paper bag is coated in something and the same for clothing. Never wear any new clothing shipped in from over seas unless you wash it first. Way too many goods have been treated to keep insects and rodents from being interested and most of those chemicals are not good for you.

I'm sure some will disagree, so be it,,,

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

People can debate until they are blue in the face, and if there is not enough fresh air getting they may end up being blue in the face,,,

But seriously this is a matter of legitimate concern.

I hope people only pay attention to such matter as well as fumes coming out of all the goods we bring into our homes beyond the construction materials.

Most dont know that almost every paper bag is coated in something and the same for clothing. Never wear any new clothing shipped in from over seas unless you wash it first. Way too many goods have been treated to keep insects and rodents from being interested and most of those chemicals are not good for you.

I'm sure some will disagree, so be it,,,

Sorry,

[John Mercier]

The debate is the best means to achieve the results.

Even on heating cooling... you and I standing in the same room in almost exactly the same conditions may have a different ''comfort level''.

I can consume a beverage - and almost definitely any food - and my comfort level changes.

The same goes for air quality. I am very sensitive to smoke - small particulate matter. Others not so much.

So the debate is a perfect standard, which can never apply universally.
It is why product knowledge and application is so valuable.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The debate is the best means to achieve the results.

Even on heating cooling... you and I standing in the same room in almost exactly the same conditions may have a different ''comfort level''.

I can consume a beverage - and almost definitely any food - and my comfort level changes.

The same goes for air quality. I am very sensitive to smoke - small particulate matter. Others not so much.

So the debate is a perfect standard, which can never apply universally.
It is why product knowledge and application is so valuable.

Agreed as long as the debate stays on subject and the debaters do not go on personal attacks. In the world of forums and blogs such matters turn personal really quickly. Too quickly,,, Its just so easy to get frustrated and cut lose and too many fall victim to this pitfall.

Its not at all like debating a similar matter in person.

[John Mercier]

It isn't really done on a forum. It is usually member of a particular industry.
This one would be HVAC.

If two people are in a room, and relative humidity is constant... depending on activity and such... their skin surface temperature will be slightly different and they will feel hot or cold.

With air exchange, the same thing.
A certain concentration of a pollutant has differing effects on each of us.
So some may need more exchanges per hour, others less.
And those could vary depending on what the pollutant is.

The industry tries to debate the perfect... but more likely strike a balance for the majority with the understanding that individuals, even in the same household, will differ.

''ASHRAE (formerly called the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommends (in its Standard 62.2-2016, "Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings") that homes receive 0.35 air changes per hour but not less than 15 cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) per person. as the minimum ventilation rates in residential buildings in order to provide IAQ that is acceptable to human occupants and that minimizes adverse health effects. ASHRAE also suggests intermittent exhaust capacities for kitchens and bathroom exhaust to help control pollutant levels and moisture in those rooms. ASHRAE also notes that "dwellings with tight enclosures may require supplemental ventilation supply for fuel-burning appliances, including fireplaces and mechanically exhausted appliances.''

See how the standard leaves room for more than the standard...
So if you tighten down to the standard, you may be too tight.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by XCR-700

People can debate until they are blue in the face, and if there is not enough fresh air getting they may end up being blue in the face,,,

But seriously this is a matter of legitimate concern.

I hope people only pay attention to such matter as well as fumes coming out of all the goods we bring into our homes beyond the construction materials.

Most dont know that almost every paper bag is coated in something and the same for clothing. Never wear any new clothing shipped in from over seas unless you wash it first. Way too many goods have been treated to keep insects and rodents from being interested and most of those chemicals are not good for you.

I'm sure some will disagree, so be it,,,

And some people just live in fear of everything.

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Biggd

And some people just live in fear of everything.

And some people like me, vent a lot about, well almost everything!

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

You might try an energy recovery ventilator. We had one installed last year--pricey but worth every penny

Never heard of it, I'll look into it!

Many Thanks