Energy-Smart HVAC
High-performance builder Ben Bogie explains how the components of this cutting-edge, energy-sipping mechanical system adequately heat and cool a home using as little energy as possible.
The total peak heat load for this house is 21,000 Btu. To put that into perspective, 21,000 Btu is about the heat load that you’d have for a bedroom suite in a code-built house, yet we have that same heat load in this entire home with 4700 sq. ft. of conditioned space.
Not only do we have an incredibly low heat load, we also have equipment that sips energy—that uses as little energy as possible—but still maintains a healthy and properly tempered indoor environment.
This is accomplished by using components that are not often paired together on the U.S. market: the Minotair HRV (heat-recovery ventilator system); a hydro coil; a Sanden water heater; and a high-performance Mitsubishi heat-pump air handler.
Watch the full video to learn more, including:
- How these systems work together at different times of the year
- How the heat pump of the Minotair captures a substantially larger amount of energy than normal air-conditioning units from the air stream and transfers it into sensible energy to achieve both ventilation and air conditioning
- What makes the Sanden water heater achieve a high coefficient of performance
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May we please have the pricing for the talked-about units? Thank you.
Hey Ben, 1) So do you have any real world 12 month energy cost for this set up ?
2) what state / climate zone is this house in ? (I think I saw snow in the background) 3) the 2x6 walls looked empty before the fiber board insulation was put up, so.. what's the deal with the insulation spec's ? Please reply thx Jerry B
The heat pump HRV is very cool .... don't see anybody selling it. It's a good idea as some houses need a small amount of dehumidification much of the year.
I don't understand the heat exchanger to the water heater -- is this just using the tanked hot water to warm the air for the HRV ? How is that any more efficient? Still just a heat pump.
The key to any house is getting the load down and sealing it up. I'm in the mid-atlantic and my new house is close to 5ksf and the VS Carrier 36k BTU HP has no problem keeping it cool.
Ben:
I'm just now seeing this review - THANKS for the walk through.
You mentioned there were only two companies with HRVs like the MinotAir unit.
If you do not mind ...
Who is the other company?
Thanks!
Jim