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Homeowner Forum / Construction / June 2008



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New House A/C

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jam6444@yahoo.com - 26 Jun 2008 17:02 GMT
when should the A/C be turned on in a house under construction?
there's painting still going on inside and lots of work to be done.
It's mid 90's outside right now(and humid).  Will the workers get mad
if I don't run the A/C? (which was just installed).  the HVAC guy said
it's o.k. but never when floor sanding.   Which brings up another
question.  Should I run it for the benefit of the floors i.e. to get
them to an "indoor" humidity level?
Bill - 26 Jun 2008 17:10 GMT
Yes, run it as much as you can for the workers. Also offer them drinks and
snacks too. You will get very good work done.

Now if you turn it off...

<jam6444@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> when should the A/C be turned on in a house under construction?
> there's painting still going on inside and lots of work to be done.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> question.  Should I run it for the benefit of the floors i.e. to get
> them to an "indoor" humidity level?
John Grabowski - 26 Jun 2008 17:20 GMT
> when should the A/C be turned on in a house under construction?
> there's painting still going on inside and lots of work to be done.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> question.  Should I run it for the benefit of the floors i.e. to get
> them to an "indoor" humidity level?

There is a tremendous amount of dust floating around during construction.
Even though you have filters the stuff will still get into the ducts.  I
would not do it unless a contractor needs it for the paint to dry or the
floors to acclimate.  If you do turn on the system, get a load of filters
and replace them at least weekly.  Use the good pleated filters.
Andy Energy - 27 Jun 2008 14:47 GMT
> <jam6...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> floors to acclimate.  If you do turn on the system, get a load of filters
> and replace them at least weekly.  Use the good pleated filters.

If the filter is in the filter grill and it a high efficiency filter
and the ducts do not leak the ducts will stay clean.

1.    If the filter is at the furnace no filter will keep the return
clean.
2.    If the filter is not a high MERV rating the system will get dirty
no matter where the filter is.
a.    High MERV rated filters produce high static pressure and should not
be used unless the return grill is sized properly.
3.    If the return ducts leak (always do unless duct sealing and testing
is performed) and any of it is in the conditioned space.

If all the above is correct I’d get a good supply of filters and it
checked daily to be sure it is not plugged.  Better yet have a static
pressure probe installed and replace as the static pressure goes up.
This is how all systems should be set up to determine if the filter is
producing too much static pressure.
Cwatters - 26 Jun 2008 19:39 GMT
> when should the A/C be turned on in a house under construction?
> there's painting still going on inside and lots of work to be done.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> question.  Should I run it for the benefit of the floors i.e. to get
> them to an "indoor" humidity level?

Wood flooring should normally be acclimatised for some time before laying so
I guess yes.
RicodJour - 26 Jun 2008 19:41 GMT
On Jun 26, 12:02 pm, jam6...@yahoo.com wrote:
> when should the A/C be turned on in a house under construction?
> there's painting still going on inside and lots of work to be done.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> question.  Should I run it for the benefit of the floors i.e. to get
> them to an "indoor" humidity level?

You can run it, but plan on checking/changing/cleaning the filters on
a weekly basis at least.  The AC guy should have mentioned that you
shouldn't run it if there's any drywall being sanded.  That dust is
the worst.  And you should ask that any substantial cutting of any
materials be done outside - unfortunately that's going to be a tough
sell with a nice cool house sitting there.

I don't know if the workers will get mad, but you might return to the
house to discover that it's already been turned on and nobody knows
who did it.

If you do decide to run it for the workers, they'll appreciate it,
you'll get better work out of them and won't have all of their sweat
dripping on your new house, but you should make it clear that the
system is not to be abused.  If someone doesn't obey your house rules,
you'll turn it off.  Turning it off once it's on _will_ come across as
punishment and that's not a good thing when people are working on your
house.

If you don't want the system running at all, you should make it clear
that the system is not operational and if there is any damage due to
unauthorized use, you'll be charging the contractor.

R
S. Barker - 27 Jun 2008 06:12 GMT
Another suggestion.  If your new system has one of the high efficiency 5"
thick filters, like a lot of new ones do, then take that new $50 filter out
and put in a stack of the standard 1" filters.  After all the work is done,
then put your good filter back in.

s

> when should the A/C be turned on in a house under construction?
> there's painting still going on inside and lots of work to be done.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> question.  Should I run it for the benefit of the floors i.e. to get
> them to an "indoor" humidity level?
Andy Energy - 28 Jun 2008 16:56 GMT
> Another suggestion.  If your new system has one of the high efficiency 5"
> thick filters, like a lot of new ones do, then take that new $50 filter out
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> news:2403c1ac-e987-4309-a287-50d5c86814eb@j22g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

Let’s think about putting 5 low MERV filters on top of each other.  It
does not make the hole size smaller.   The size of the hole is what
removes the smaller particles.  It may catch a small amount more dust
but not sufficient enough to keep your HVAC system clean.

If one installs 5 high MERV filters it will restrict the air flow and
likely ice the AC coil and this can cause issues like sending liquid
refrigerant to the compressor and this will shorten the compressor
life.

So in conclusion:  Install the 4-5” or a 2” over sized pleated filter
(I would hope this is what is in the system and is at the return
grill).  Check it every day and replace as needed.  Yes it is going to
cost but it’s your choice.  Spend some now or have your ducts cleaned
and spend more later.

Cleaning ducts is not a perfect science and will not clean
everything.  There is also the concern of tearing the duct lining.  So
if you have ducts cleaned there should be a duct test for leakage
before and after.  Good luck finding a company that will do testing
and if you do you will not like the price.

Andy

> > when should the A/C be turned on in a house under construction?
> > there's painting still going on inside and lots of work to be done.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
 
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