New England B.S. Thread

Bumper definitely, winch not so much but rather have it than not.

 

The winch is more for the fishing and camping we do. we wrapped up this year with over 1300 miles off road and about 40miles of trails. Added a few hours to the day on a couple of trips with events that could have easily been remedied by a winch.

I do enjoy wheeling. But we are mainly backwoods travelers at heart. Thus I enjoy Maine so much.

 

We are being told a 5 month build time which puts us feb-march. Things are moving pretty quickly and almost all the rest of the sub contractors are already lined up and ready, so maybe more towards Jan-Feb if we get lucky.

Get it!

100%. I love my truck, but I will do the same things to it the day I buy a truck that I will a month before I think about selling it.

I try to twice a year, once in spring and once before winter. I have been doing sealant over wax though.

I might have a 2016, and I might live on crappy dirt roads to Be happy to let her drive it around a bit if you guys ever go anywhere near this way. I'm in Savoy MA. My wife absolutely loves it, and it hasn't let her down yet, but only have about 45k on it.

 

On the spicy drinks..

I am a fan of Tequila...

I am a fan of spicy, Jalapenos, Habaneros, and Chipotle, in all forms are use regularly in the cooking in the house. Chili in the crockpot currently has a blend of jalapeno and chipotle... and NO BEANS.

I had a buddy, that added Tabasco to a shot of tequila, while we were in.... Mayport, FL I think..... called it a Prairie Fire. Been hooked ever since.

If youre a fan of spicy ritas…. see if you can find the recipe for Jose Mangins "Satans Gizz".....

ANYWAY, its Friday, I am home. VERY happy to be home.
Capped off the week with a "NEAR MISS" at work.
Eyes are red, and still watering, sinuses hurt....

ANYWAY....

@Bridge4 who is doing the mechanical/HVAC for your new place?

 

I am about 95% sure we are going to be using Pariseau Heating and Cooling in Pittsfield MA. They did our systems for our business and we haven't had any issues and they have a good relationship with my builder. They also are responsive when I call them for service questions.
The only reason I'm not 100% is that we get our propane from H.A. George in North Adams MA, and consulted with them on a few different options like a heat pump or full HVAC etc.. However, they don't like installing full systems and prefer to service them and deliver the gas, so I don't think they are doing the installation, but if it was anyone other than Pariseau it would be them. They did fill up our houses tank yesterday though, so we have electric, water and gas...just no roof!

Both companies are great to work with in the few years I have been dealing with them, and have solid local reputations.

 

Everyone ready for the Sox game ?

 

Got fire?

 

I gotta work tomorrow so I can't watch it all, bummer.

 

@Bridge4
What about dual fuel?

I have one of those in my first house up here(being rented now).
Installed and started 5 years ago.
Its full heat pump, with propane back up.

Resi is not my area of expertise... but, i can certainly answer damn near any questions you'd have.

 

I was certainly debating on it..... but, its too cold, and most of wood is wet.

 

I went to high school with someone who works for them designing new systems. At least I think it is the same company.

 

Do you/did you at some point do that work? I know you like to be so no need to go too much into it.
My builder at one point was having us look at a dual fuel where we had the propane heater for winter which is what I think you are saying would be good. I have leaned towards a traditional hvac set up because I guess that's what I am familiar with. We have a heat pump in a section of our business that works okay, but I guess I didn't like the way it was sending the air in, and wasn't aware it could be duct'd like a regular system if there was space. **It is a mini-split, so now that I understand I can use ductwork this changes things a bit for me and I need to rethink this more.

So, if you could maybe list a few pro's and con's that might help clarify how it might all work that would be very helpful. I've looked at some info online and get the basic principle of how it works, but I'd like to hear from someone with actual experience. The house is 1300 sqft, and I think there is still time to change whatever system I would go with. I think our real choices are HVAC system vs heat pump system.

I've met a handful of the guys, but don't see them often so don't really remember any names, and only a few faces. But all nice guys and like I said, we were happy with the work.

 

Only residential ive done is my own places, a few family members, etc. I have done smaller resi sized systems for medical server rooms, switch gear, etc.
But, Ive been commercial industrial since i got my apprenticeship 10 years ago.
On the design, i have a guy that sizes the system, and draws up ductwork based on manual j or s, depending.
Once that is done, i can do my thing.

Anyway, yes, a dual fuel is great. Equipped with the right setup, and tstat, it will operate wonderfully.
Cannot compare a minisplit to a proper split.
A decent split, you will probably set it to switch over to LP between 35 and 45 degrees, depending on desired indoor temp.
The joy of a heat pump, at optimal temps, you get the thermal transfer or the refrigerant, plus additional heat from compression.
However, their performance curve drops with temps, particularly when the outdoor coil starts running a surface temp at or below. Most have a tstat thzt engages a defrost protocol below 35f ambient, which means, after a set amount of run time, it turns back to an air conditioner for 10 minutes.
Coupled with a modulating 95+ furnace, and a new tight home, you can get a pretty effecient COMFORTABLE system if the start-up tech knows what theyre doing.

Minisplits are their own category, and i have only installed 1. They have their place, but, as a primary heating system, NO.

Clear as mud? Lol

 

Sox are going to find out how well their right-handers handle the regular lineup of the Dodgers

 

Yeah thank you! Between that and what I've looked at online I think I might have to go back to my builder and admit he had the better idea from the start. Reading about the newer ones that can really control the environment much more and get it just how you want it. Coupling with a nice heater and it sounds like a real win.

1 last question. How good it is on a 95 degree day cooling it down to say, 70? I'm real bad in heat trying to sleep.

 

Ask away man. Ive basically dedicated my life to this since ive been a civilian.
Even when i was working toward my degree, i had a focus on heat transfer....

Anyway, that isnt a simple question.
The ac side is sized based on load... i.e. how much cooling you need at design conditions.
It will totally depend on how your system is sized/designed. But, oversized, can lead to it cooling too fastm and NOT removing humidity, leading to swampy cold, and mold issues over time.

There are many ways around this. VRF systems, allow a bit of wiggle room, as well as 2 stage.
Say you need 1.5 tons. A 2 ton, 2 stage, will run at max when needed, but, would "unload" to about 2/3 capacity(approrox 1.2t), which would lead to longer run times, and much better dehumidifcation.

Comfort, complexity, and all are limited soley by your budget.
More than happy to help.

 

Okay well then I will ask a few more questions

Would your average reliable company be able to properly size the AC? I am assuming there is some sort of formula based off of size and maybe if it's going to be blasted by sun all day or not?

I also don't get why it's rated by tonnage?

I was reading about the advantages of a 2 speed, also can run with less noise at the lower levels, although sounds not really a factor, more a bonus. I did see some of these companies have variable speed motors and I didn't see much explaining the difference, but again making an assumption, I am guessing they can be even more efficient and run at a handful of different speeds?

Do most of them come with the dehumidifier in them? Or is that just part of the process of how a heat pump works?

And an even harder, probably impossible question to answer. If you pay up for the higher efficiencies, and fancy things...can you make back that savings before the thing dies?

Thanks again!

 

Answers in bold...

Happy to help

 

I think there are Calculators for this. They talked about recently on "This Old House"
Sq ft, insulation, window facing, several factors....

 

Uuugh this Sox game. Announcers still think Kinsler was out? His finger got the bag before the tag.

Now he's thrown out at home - no slide.

And extra innings means you're on edge every pitch