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Installation of heating and air-conditioning systems is a complex and specialized process. Lacking the necessary skills and experience, most of our homebuilders opted to subcontract this job to professionals.
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In this segment of DIY's Be Your Own Contractor, some of the do-it-yourselfers discuss the installation of their heating and cooling systems and their decision as to whether to hire subcontractors or undertake the installation themselves.
Who's Doing the Work?- Dedicated do-it-yourselfer Fred Samuels (figure A) advises that you shouldn't skimp on cost when it comes to heating and cooling systems. These are elements that will contribute more than just about anything to your overall comfort in your home, and they represent a long-term investment.
- For his home in Rockwood, Tennesee (figure B), Fred contracted with a professional heating and cooling company to install his HVAC system and the main ductwork in his basement (figure C). However, Fred ran all the ductwork within the interior of his home (i.e., the ducts to the vented registers throughout the house) himself.
For those who opt to hire subcontractors, Fred advises against simply picking a company from the yellow pages. It's advisable to talk with several companies -- and ideally some of their prior customers -- before making a final decision. It's also important to remember that the work of heating and cooling contractors may impact the work of other subcontractors such as those for plumbing, electricity, drain lines, walls, etc. Coordination among contractors may be a key concern.Doug Kerr (figure D) advises devoting considerable attention and financial resources to the envelope of the house -- i.e., the basic structure, exterior walls and insulation. If you have extra money in your budget later in the process, then you might consider some of the more sophisticated heating and cooling systems rather than a standard one. This was the strategy that Doug followed for his home in Los Angeles, California (figure E).For Doug -- who built his home in the warm climate of Los Angeles, California -- his greatest priority was on making the cooling system as efficient as possible. He designed his system so that he could close off individual rooms when not in use to help save on cooling expense. Closing the ducts to unused rooms results in shorter and less frequent cycling times for the cooling system.
In the segment that follows, the do-it-yourself contractors discuss the role and impact that windows and doors have on the heating and cooling of the home.
RESOURCES :
Energy-Efficient Building: The Best of Fine Homebuilding
ISBN: 1561583405
From The Best of Fine Homebuilding book series.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Save Energy, Save Money
ISBN: 0028642791
Authors: Alvin Ubell, George Merlis
Macmillan / Alpha Books
Website: www.macmillan.com
136 Best Ways to Save on Your Home Energy
ISBN: 0376012048
(January, 2002)
Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com
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