House getting 'too tight'?

18 years ago

We're gradually doing a whole house renovation and have replaced almost all of the windows, roof, HVAC units, vent fans and insulation.

However, I'm afraid that we are fast reaching the point where the house may be "too tight" and we need to intentionally bring in more outside air. (Though we do go in and out a lot during the day, we haven't experienced any noticable air quality problems, and I do crack open the kitchen window when I use the vent hood to improve performance.)

Hubby is a professional remodeler and thoroughly competent DIY'er, but "too tight" houses simply didn't exist as a problem way back when he was learning the ropes, and we're not sure how to go about bringing in more air.

We're located in a hot and humid climate, and want a make-up air system that doesn't require a lot of manual effort on an ongoing basis, that doesn't kill our fabulous energy savings (>50% even with price increases), and that doesn't cost a mint to install.

Is there such a thing? And can anyone recommend a 'primer' to help explain how it all works?

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Comments (5)

geshields
18 years ago
We live in Houston and we just installed a Honeywell DH90 dehumidifer. It has a port on it that you can connect an outside vent to. It will filter and dehumidify the incoming air. Other option is to connect a fresh air intake to your A/C return plenum with a damper. When A/C kicks on, you will be bringing fresh air in and it will be filtered and dehumidifed also.

Greg
dan_martyn
18 years ago
An ERV or HRV is an option you can investigate. Is contains a heat exchanger to recover heat in heating mode and cooling in cooling mode.

Keep Cool,

Dan Martyn

Here is a link that might be useful: Broan HRV
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energy_rater_la
18 years ago
12x12 filter back grill located under porch
6" flex with barometric damper to return.
air is filtered and dehimidified
www.skuttle.com

this is what we do in hot humid La.

if your home falls below .25 air changes per hour (ach)
fresh air is needed, blower door testing is necessary to
detrmine if a house is too tight.
for the most part..homes are not too tight..except homes designed to be tight.

best of luck.
sweeby
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the great ideas!

I'm particularly interested in the solutions that bring fresh air directly into the return air plenums. That just seems like such a logical and cost-effective way to use the existing equipment to condition the incoming air.

Energy_Rater - Do you have any more information about blower door testing? If the house is not too tight, I'd love to be able to just relax and do nothing! ;-)
energy_rater_la
18 years ago
Contact your state's dept of energy or dept of natural resources they should be able to provide you a list of raters local (or close) to you
Resnet also provides a list of raters
Rating fees (blower door testing, testing of ductwork..diagnostic services) vary from individual to individual as we are all for the most part self employed.
I charge $500 for one hvac system in an average sized home of 2500 sq ft. Prices will vary, but make sure you question the raters you talk to and make sure that you understand what they are proposing to do.
best of luck