Take a look at buildingscience.com and the forums at greenbuildingadvisor.com.

Joe Lstiburek is THE MAN.

@Elmer J Fudd,

I only had an opportunity to hear Joe Lstiburek speak at one seminar many years ago. I can say he's just as entertaining in person as his writing would suggest. When I started in this business some 23 years ago, I devoured every Building Science Corp and Joe Lstiburek publication I could get my hands on. It was tremendously helpful stuff.

There are a fair number of videos findable on the internet covering presentations he's made and I've watched many of them. He is an entertaining guy with a playful personality. There are also a fair number of general papers and publications by him and his Building Science colleagues available to read.

I don't know whether his major contributions have been as an innovator and developer of solutions for common problems or whether he's just been a very effective communicator to spread the word. Do you know?

Some of the suggestions and solutions I've heard him describe have left me with the reaction of Duh!. Why aren't so many of his common sense and practical ideas to address widespread problems more widely known and practiced? Or, maybe they are now? So many problems which, when a light is shined on them, should have been obvious to many but never were over so many years until people like him started speaking up and disseminating information.

@Elmer J Fudd,

I think Joe's main contribution has been the application of basic physics to aid in understanding how buildings work as a "system." Buildings have been constructed for millennia without this understanding.

If your reaction to a particular building science concept is "duh," you're not alone. The physics involved is generally pretty basic. Builders are wont to do things the way they always have; innovation and adoption of new materials, techniques and systems are painfully slow in residential construction.

"Builders are wont to do things the way they always have"

Sadly, this is too frequently seen in humans in general. Like another fellow I've encountered who thinks that doing tasks the same way for years constitutes "experience", rather than understanding that his comments suggest instead it's more like repeating the same mistakes consistently.

I don't think it has been mentioned but high humidity during the summer is often because of oversized A/C systems. A tight house by itself is not usually the problem.

NY state has a variety of climates.

Maybe you don't even have a/c? Thinking at elevation...

It would help to give a little more information. You mention everything from ERVs to minis. What do you have now? You are putting everything on ventilation and I think that is incorrect.

My experience with a tight house in NC is that humidity is very very stable. Like 48-52% without supplemental humidification in the winter and no separate dehumidification. I just have a timer on a single bath fan for ventilation.

But - lots of occupants in smaller house or lots of houseplants can certainly change humidity levels quite significantly.

What is your RH% running in the summer, now, and in the winter?

Also, humidity can be higher first year after build.

A SIP house is typically very, very tight. I liken it to a thermos bottle except that the interior conditions also change over time due to factors other than heat transfer. Moisture is generated inside the home by the occupants themselves and their daily activities such as cooking and bathing.

Ventilation of a SIP house is critically important. Unfortunately, this is an area where the building code lags the building science. Fresh air ventilation should be mandatory and constructing a SIP house without one is nothing short of HVAC "professional" malpractice. Installing a properly sized HRV-- if there is none--is a no-brainer for a northern climate. Assuming there is no supplemental humidification (and I wouldn't recommend it,) the HRV will likely remedy the winter indoor condensation problem. Summer dehumidification and shoulder season dehumidification may require supplemental dehumidification to what an air conditioner provides. I suspect they'll need a dedicated dehumidifier for that--preferable one integrated with the HVAC system and not the $200 variety purchased at a big box store.

"We’ve had numerous HVAC salesmen out here to advise . . . "

It is most times best to receive advice from someone that not trying to sell you anything.

Even if you paid for Charles to visit your home, paying for five star accommodations and meals, you would be further ahead than guessing which salesman's product is best for your situation.

(I have always found CRH's advice straight forward and top notch, unless I misinterpreted it and made an ass of myself)

@Mark Bischak, Architect,

I'm from upstate NY and wouldn't mind an all expense paid trip if it's not to an urban area. Problem is they're a little short on fine dining and fine accommodations in the rural portions of the state where I'm most at home.

If your reaction to a particular building science concept is "duh," you're not alone. The physics involved is generally pretty basic. Builders are wont to do things the way they always have;

LOL.

That being said... another screwed up what sounds to be a recently built home. AND let's blame HVAC salesmen? Who built it? "duh" - uh yeah!

When it comes to new construction why is it there are many companies that have fine print on offers they put in print that these offers do not include new construction?

See there's alot being said here / builders and architects patting one another on the back. Yet you have a problem that is probably due to more than just the HVAC alone.

I'm one such company I don't do new construction. Why? because builders like to turn these trades into commodities. It's all about money and nothing else to them. They aren't in it for service. You will always need HVAC service.

So you get another builder and architect involved, they might tell you to tear it down to the foundation and start over. There's a popular builder on Youtube that did just that to a home in Austin, Tx that started out as a remodel on a budget? It's laughable what "most" builders do..

You have a problem and you're getting sold whether you like it or not. HVAC contractor didn't build the home and 9 times out of 10 there was little to no choice in regard to HVAC contractor when the house was built as these things are often "controlled" by the builder.

Then they will turn around and blame the HVAC contractor. It's more about passing the buck.

So why would I post here? Give an opposing view point. The OP never commented again so... one can only imagine that some of these thoughts didn't pop in his / her head already.

@Austin Air Companie

To be sure, there's more than enough blame to go around on this one. That said, we don't know the contractual relationships. We don't know if there was an architect involved. We don't know if the OP was their own GC. We don't know what was asked of the HVAC contractor nor who designed the HVAC system.

What we do know if that the OP's home has some fundamental HVAC problems. How about offering some of the practical insights you've gained in your career as an HVAC replacement contractor that might be useful for fixing the OP's problem instead of your usual self promotion and builder and architect bashing?

It is fine to decline a job because you feel you can't do quality work, whether that is because you don't have the knowledge and experience or because the contractor is exerting unreasonable control or price obligations on you.

However, once you take that job then you have a responsibility to provide satisfactory results. As an HVAC professional, you can't take a job then get paid for it, only to blame the contractor who hired you for the bad result. You took the job! You took the money! If you felt like the results were substandard because of outside factors then quit the job and give the money back.

@Austin Air Companie -"Then they will turn around and blame the HVAC contractor. It's more about passing the buck." Can someone help me find the definition of ironic?

"How about offering some of the practical insights you've gained in your career as an HVAC replacement contractor that might be useful for fixing the OP's problem instead of your usual self promotion and builder and architect bashing?"

+1

"How about offering some of the practical insights you've gained in your career as an HVAC replacement contractor that might be useful for fixing the OP's problem instead of your usual self promotion and builder and architect bashing?"

As I have said many times this is an in person on location type job and even after telling you this I don't know how many times now over the course of many years... to this day you still don't want to pay any attention to this bit of wisdom? Why?

Charles sums it up here in addition to what I said above as to WHY I don't?

To be sure, there's more than enough blame to go around on this one. That said, we don't know the contractual relationships. We don't know if there was an architect involved. We don't know if the OP was their own GC. We don't know what was asked of the HVAC contractor nor who designed the HVAC system.

We don't know. So why the architects and builders gather on this thread to pat one another on the back? When... we don't know?

I'm not here to play guessing games. I actually work in the field, someone calls me I don't play guessing games then either. I show up in person for an "in person" job.

As an HVAC professional, you can't take a job then get paid for it, only to blame the contractor who hired you for the bad result. You took the job! You took the money!

Contractors don't hire me, home owners do. This is primarily the problem when it comes to new construction. I don't do new construction for that reason among other reasons.

Builders created this problem. I doubt they will ever fix it because: ? _________________ you know.

"I'm not here to play guessing games. I actually work in the field, someone calls me I don't play guessing games then either. I show up in person for an "in person" job."

At least you didn't suggest the OP's problem was dirty sock syndrome.

Most folks posting on houzz.com use the forum to solicit help. If you need to show up at their door or be paid to provide it, then please do everyone a favor and stop using houzz.com as a vehicle to promote your politics, propagate your stereotypes and belittle those with more relevant expertise who are actually trying to help.

"Contractors don't hire me, home owners do. This is primarily the problem when it comes to new construction. I don't do new construction for that reason among other reasons."

Homeowners are intended beneficiaries regardless of who hires an HVAC person, I don't really see the point of splitting hairs about who hires an HVAC contractor. Nor is that the primary problem.

"Builders created this problem. I doubt they will ever fix it because: ? _________________ you know."

No HVAC contractor is required to work for a builder, so far as I know slavery isn't legal here. HVAC contractors could fix their own problems any time they want by refusing to do poor work. In fact, that is not only their right, it is also the REQUIRED LEGAL STANDARD!

If someone offers you $50 to hit yourself in the head with a brick and you end up with a concussion, it is your fault for hitting yourself in the head with a brick. Blaming the ATM for giving the guy $50, or the guy for offering you $50, may be convenient for your pride, but that is all.

No HVAC contractor is required to work for a builder, so far as I know slavery isn't legal here. HVAC contractors could fix their own problems any time they want by refusing to do poor work. In fact, that is not only their right, it is also the REQUIRED LEGAL STANDARD!

ha, ha, ha... if only it was that simple. The builders create the problem they don't solve it. The builder will tell you if there is a problem to contact them, don't call the HVAC guy that they likely had a hand in hiring?

Why? You have to be able to read between the lines... there are many middle men when it comes to building a home. There are many more "people" that are told what to do, given supplies and told to go "do it".

Because of "time" -- you could call it speed... because the faster you "do it" the faster it gets done the faster the builder gets paid and he can move to the next festival and the next and the next and the next (add naseum). You also have to understand why a HVAC contractor would work for a builder... it's more like bankers hours. They may have a call out number but 9 times out of 10 the home owner will pay for that.... or they simply schedule a call during normal business hours.

So the HVAC contractor, the one with the licenses and hopefully some know how --- hires the grunts to do the work. The builder is responsible for "arranging this middle man festival".

When you have a party planner, does the planner not get paid for planning? Remember, the builder created it. This is why many of them tell you to contact the builder directly.

Now if you go out on your own build your own home and you hire all the contractors, those contractors hire all the subs and GC's below them... the middle man festival is still there. But you're the planner... so there is no way out of it except for "I don't do new construction". Because there are many that don't do new construction --- you call them after the fact to solve a complicated problem maybe they are set up in similar fashion you get a salesman and he's just trying to sell... that's his function. He doesn't have new construction experience either.

Note: 1 year after a home is built it's not considered new construction, it's considered a home with problems. Sometimes this could stretch to 2 years, but rarely does.

This "middle man festival" is only one such problem as I alluded to above, of which is often times my bread and butter a few years later because the middle man fesitival moves to a fresh plot of land elsewhere.

If you get a 20 or 30 year old something to your home, how much experience could they possibly have? Not that I was ever 20 or 30 something... but complex problems created by? _____________________ require what to solve it?

Remember I'm not here to play guessing games. Just providing clarity as to how messy things can get.

*contractual relationships*: middle man festival. (I make it too simple for you to connect the dots...)

@Austin Air Companie,

Well, Ray, you've done it again. You've managed to add more content to this thread than any other poster--none of which answers the OP's question nor helps them move toward resolving their HVAC problems.

If you want to start a new thread for the purpose of flogging builders, there should be lots of folks here on houzz.com who will gladly add their comments on their experience. In the interim, I'll repeat my request:

How about offering some of the practical insights you've gained in your career as an HVAC replacement contractor that might be useful for fixing the OP's problem instead of your usual self promotion and builder and architect bashing?

CR Homes, he said he doesn't do new construction but he's not lacking opinions, insults or "insights" about it.

Try leaving the front door open year round. That should at least reduce the amount of condensation on the windows.

(If anyone is going to bash architects, I may as well give them good reason to)

CR Homes, he said he doesn't do new construction but he's not lacking opinions, insults or "insights" about it.

Of course, why I would I attempt to delete my primary bread and butter source? Usually at least 2-3 years after the middle man festival has run it's course.

The OP is long gone after the builder and architect show up to pat one another on the back. But lets not pay any attention to that?

Oh, we're beating up the builder and "possibly" the architect in a thread in which the home has a defect... yet you come in here to blame the HVAC contractor... I'm just merely providing context there is more to blame than the HVAC contractor when the builder has "contractual obligations" to fulfill.

You can't run and hide Charles, nor push the blame away by trying the change the subject...

LOL, so much fun. I love my job.

Try leaving the front door open year round. That should at least reduce the amount of condensation on the windows.

Open some windows. What were you born in a barn or something? Ha, ha.

I don't believe it's been established that the OP used a general contractor so it's a little premature spending "air time" criticizing their efforts. The OP's asking for help to remedy a HVAC problem and you appear to be unwilling or unable to offer any. If that's the case, I suggest you take your builder bashing to a thread where you can join like-minded individuals.

The OP's asking for help to remedy a HVAC problem and you appear to be unwilling or unable to offer any.

Your help Charles Ross, was to get an all expense paid trip to include fine dining and fine accommodations.

I wouldn't call that a remedy.

Someone is reading these posts wrong.

Your help Charles Ross, was to get an all expense paid trip to include fine dining and fine accommodations.

I wouldn't call that a remedy.

If Charles Ross accepted an all expenses paid trip including fine dining and fine accommodations he would be required to present a solution... a.k.a. a remedy.

That is how compensation for services work... If you are hired for your expertise in a particular industry, you are required to actually have and provide expertise in that particular industry.

So, suppose a terrible architect and a terrible builder hire a great and responsible HVAC professional. Then you might wind up with a family room addition that is accessed through a master closet (yes, I have seen this before though I doubt an architect was involved) and a house without a single straight wall, but the HVAC system will be the one system that works as intended because that is what great and responsible professionals do.

@Austin Air Companie,

My recommendations were stated in the very second post of this thread.

@Mark Bischak, Architect's suggestion for the OP to have me travel to NY was made in jest. I appreciate his sense of humor and I responded. I don't think he knew I lived in NY in my "formative years."

Honestly, Ray, I think debating an issue with Mr. Potato Head would be more productive than debating it with you.

following

So, suppose a terrible architect and a terrible builder hire a great and responsible HVAC professional. Then you might wind up with a family room addition that is accessed through a master closet (yes, I have seen this before though I doubt an architect was involved) and a house without a single straight wall, but the HVAC system will be the one system that works as intended because that is what great and responsible professionals do.

Maybe in Neverland, not in new construction.

What precisely do you think the term: builder grade comes from?

HVAC is even worse in new construction due to "contractual obligations" - builder grade, says it all. Because Mr. Ross is more worried about fine dining and fine accommodations. But hey he only said this in jest.

It didn't sound like jest to me. The OP didn't even stick around to congratulate Mr Ross on the second post to this thread. Builder grade? Even I can see it a mile away. He gets two likes people patting him on the back?

Sounds like good boys 'middle man' club. You think people coming here reading these threads *the majority of them* can't read between the lines of what is said, much less of what "isn't" said?

Honestly, Ray, I think debating an issue with Mr. Potato Head would be more productive than debating it with you.

Yes Mr. Ross, of course. You can put your thumb in Mr. Potato Head's back and he won't do anything to stop you.

You can only wish I would roll over. Throw some silver dollars in the wishing well, pennies aren't doing it. LOL.

And your valuable HVAC insights to help the OP are what?

"It didn't sound like jest to me."

The idea of CRH going to the OP's site was initiated by me to illustrate the need for the OP to find someone local to visit the site to gather information to come up with a viable solution; someone other than a salesman. CRH picked up on the absurdity of the OP going to such length to get a non-salesperson's advice. In doing so, CRH revealed related (but not directly) information that I was unaware of that made the situation "closer to home". CRH and I have been exchanging jestful comments for quite a long time now, even though we do not know one another. Most of the time I recognize the jest and play along (but there was this one time that I still hang my head in shame, but I digress).

Without jest, I advise the OP to get a HVAC engineer involved to come up with a solution.

Still trying to figure out "dirty sock syndrome". Afraid to google it.

Having an HVAC replacement specialist pontificate on the industry practices of builders and architects is pretty rich.

@Mark,

I'm still learning to write posts for an appropriate reading comprehension level. I had concluded that writing as if writing to Jethro Bodine (of Beverly Hillbillies fame) should work, but the most recent evidence suggests an even lower level might be necessary.

BTW you have sufficiently flogged yourself for a prior post. It's not necessary, there are no hard feelings, my friend. Keep the humor coming. We certainly need it!

"Having an HVAC replacement specialist pontificate . . . "

True. But there seems to be a photo finish amongst the "numerous HVAC salesmen" and a supreme ever-knowledgable source is needed to put this issue to rest forever. I did not make mention of the OP being less rich after the supreme ever-knowledgable source's visit (not meaning a visit from CRH).

I personally took the comment as hyperbole... An exaggeration that was useful in making the point. I also think it is a reasonable and fair point about the agency issues in the HVAC contracting industry, but I can see why someone who brags about replacing HVAC units might get upset when someone questions the impartiality that their business model is largely built on.

ETA: "It didn't sound like jest to me." - Any reasonable person would recognize the point being made, and@Austin Air Companie is just looking for drama to pin on someone else after he got called out. I once wrote that a poster would be better off lighting their money on fire than pursuing an issue through the legal system and not one single person thought I was really advising that the OP should set their money on fire. I submit that his outrage is a fabricated distraction.

@Austin Air Companie is just looking for drama to pin on someone else after he got called out.

LOL, I got called out?

I think you need to re-read the entire thread. I called out the builder and architect from my first post when it was "apparent the OP had left the building" because?

I'll tell you... the home has a defect and the two people responsible for this defect is the builder and architect. Yet these two want to blame the HVAC, when? ironically enough due to "contractual obligations" of the home builder they selected the HVAC contractor.

So given this newly described insight that apparently Bry911 can't read and understand neither can the builder or the architect?

Then you want me to chime in with a solution for a home I haven't visited and that I am supposed to assume that this is only an HVAC problem? "I addressed this when I said: I am not here to play guessing games."

I guess you failed to read and understand that too. Something that is all too common on this board.

The goal of the builder becomes change the argument to "dirty sock syndrome" of which doesn't belong in this thread for "obvious reasons". It would be best for Charles Ross to get me under contract, probably the cheapest way forward -- you could save your wishing well money and just pay me to shut up.

Then I'll say due to "contractual obligations" I can't tell you.... ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Can please explain what your calling out the builder and architect has to do with your inability to recognize hyperbole?

It is almost sad that you can't see the irony of responding to a post about your inability to spot hyperbole with a post about someone else's reading comprehension.

Let me break this down for you. Mark made an exaggeration as a tool to communicate relevance and emphasis, anyone with a 6th grade reading level could spot the hyperbole. You then claim you believed it was literal, expecting us to believe you can't read at a 6th grade level. I respond that you can read at a sixth grade level. You post again, in what I can only assume is an attempt to prove me wrong about my assessment of your reading level.

----

I had several contracts classes in law school, so please do explain contractual obligations to me some more. While you are at it, please let me know how you get around the UCC contract obligations by saying contractual obligations. Or you could just stop typing...

Can please explain what your calling out the builder and architect has to do with your inability to recognize hyperbole?

vs you reading and understanding my responses? Nice try. Have fun.

We'll have to charge you with drama next...

@Austin Air Companie,

Ray,

You've attributed the reference to "contractual obligations" to me in numerous posts. For the record, it originated in this post--posted by another poster on this thread. Your recollection is second only to your reading comprehension level.

So OP needs an HRV (or is it "a HRV?) specified by a non-salesman steak eating HVAC design engineer installed by a non-new construction HVAC contractor who with no contractual obligations or contract obligations not in his/her 20's & 30's who is local so they can enjoy reading Joe's book.

I looked up hyperbole and it wasn't funny.

I looked up hyperbole and it wasn't funny.

I admit confusion... Are you suggesting that hyperbole needs to be funny? Or that the definition itself wasn't humorous?

I found the definition unfunny.

I selfishly enjoyed reading this thread and felt the need to express my thanks to all involved through poor quality humor.