Central A/C and Aquariums?

[cardiffgiant]

We're getting quotes for central air and one company suggested going up to a larger unit to help with humidity from our reef tank. Has anyone else found his to be necessary? I don't want to wind up with a unit that's too big and have it short cycling all the time.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I have not noticed an issue with humidity. I have a 1,300 sq townhouse with a basement sump which is similar to yours. I do have a dehumidifier going in the basement on a 4 hour cycle.

 

[Capt_Cully]

The room where our tank is located is notably warmer than the rest of the house when the central air is on. We usually have it at 72-74 and only use it when temps get into upper 80s or it's a particularly muggy day. 240 gallons of 80 degree water tends to act as a giant radiator. Not sure it helps with your humidity question, but it's in the same vein. Food for thought.

The humidity in the room is combated with open windows at night during warm weather, and a gas fireplace during the winter that keeps that same room crispy and dry.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I've got a ~1750ish sq foot house with central air. I'm not sure off hand the specs on it though. It was put in before I moved into the house. There hasn't been a problem with humidity on the first floor at all. I run a basement dehumidifier though. Ever since I put the breeding system in (4x20 gallon tanks, 8x10 gallon tanks, and a 55 gallon sump), the basement feels humid.

I suggest running a dehumidifier anyways.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

how bad is the humidity in your house?

how bad is the humidity in your house?

did anybody take a reading? The less humid you make the air in your house the faster evaporation will take place. I wouldn't opt for the bigger AC unit unless you have a serious problem with high humidity/mold/mildew.

 

[SkiFletch]

I would agree that the larger unit is probably not necessary. IF you find that your humidity levels are a concern, as mentioned a lot in this thread, adding a de-humidifier is a much simpler and more cost-effective solution that's directly addressing the problem. Using a bigger AC unit is like trying to drive finish nails with a sledge hammer. Sure it will do it, but you're wasting a lot of effort.

 

[ReddyW]

I used to know some AC engineers from a York plant. They were working on a compressor that could vary the output so it would run at a constant load. They said it would be more efficient if it ran all the time rather than cycling.

 

[thor109]

Here a calculator that might help

https://www.expresshvac.com/hvac_sizing.asp

I had 5 estimates when I got mine. Only one company actually figured it out, others just guessed or recommended what they had in stock. Smaller is better as it will save you money.

 

[redrider911]

A larger ac unit should not help with humidity. It would short cycle. Several years ago, load calculations were changed so that smaller sizes were installed so that they would run longer and decrease humidity.
What kind of system are you putting in?

 

[cardiffgiant]

You guys have confirmed my thinking. I don't find the house to be overly humid. The only reading that I've taken is in the basement, which hovers around 50% with a dehumidifier going. I think that this particular company was looking for an excuse to get me to buy more equipment than I need.

I've been pitched a couple of systems. I have a Heil furnace and was looking to redo my ductwork, convert laundry shoot (that used to be a duct) into a 2nd floor air return, and add central air. I've been pitched goodman, concord, trane, and lennox equipment. I'm staying away from goodman, and don't know anything about concord. I'm familiar with trane and lennox.

 

[thor109]

What I did was do my own research, (you have done some since you know to stay away from goodman) once you know about hvac have several companies come and give you quotes , ask questions and judge there answers. A complete split system cost between 1500 and 3000 at installers cost. They usually pay 2 guys about 4 hours pay each to install. I know you are having extra work done and take this into account. If someone in your neighborhood has a hvac van parked out front of their house you might want to talk to them.

 

[redrider911]

What I did was do my own research, (you have done some since you know to stay away from goodman) once you know about hvac have several companies come and give you quotes , ask questions and judge there answers. A complete split system cost between 1500 and 3000 at installers cost. They usually pay 2 guys about 4 hours pay each to install. I know you are having extra work done and take this into account. If someone in your neighborhood has a hvac van parked out front of their house you might want to talk to them.

I just priced out a side job. Heil HE furnace and a/c and humidifier and everything needed to install it cost me $3000 in material. It's a full day to install it with 2 guys. I would not want to work for a company that pays or expects it done in half a day, nor would I want that company to install it in my house.

National fuel has a $375 rebate out now. Some equipment manufacturers are offering financing as well.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I could relay my own personal experiences in this thread but homes and loads are so different it might not be "accurate" for anyone else's situation. Instead though, I'll make a simple suggestion. Go spend $30 on a portable digital thermometer/hygrometer. I have one that logs a maximum and minimum temperature and humidity for each 24 hour period. I can put it in various places around the tank (or the whole house) and get a really interesting picture of what's happening for both temperature and humidity. I've collected data for things like changing outside weather, turning the AC or heat on and off, and so on. It's been really eye-opening. Anyone wondering about how their reef tank impacts temperature or humidity should consider getting one of these meters so you can have some real data. I mean, we hammer home the concept of getting data (testing) for the things you're dosing in the tank, why not take the same approach here?

 

[thor109]

I just priced out a side job. Heil HE furnace and a/c and humidifier and everything needed to install it cost me $3000 in material. It's a full day to install it with 2 guys. I would not want to work for a company that pays or expects it done in half a day, nor would I want that company to install it in my house.

National fuel has a $375 rebate out now. Some equipment manufacturers are offering financing as well.

I'm with you. I have 3 friends making 13 / hr that install 2 systems a day. Some days they work 10+ hours sometimes they do one install and work 6. I put a 2 ton ac with 50k down draft in my house. Equipment cost 1500 and new return duct and line set another 300. I had a guy come and solder the lines because I dont have a vacuum pump and needed an extra two pounds of freon. All said and done a little over 2k

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[redrider911]

$1500? What kind of equipment did you put in, a fire pit and ceiling fan?

 

[Jacwil]

$1500? What kind of equipment did you put in, a fire pit and ceiling fan?

"He's got peeps!"

 

[thor109]

2005

14 seer 2 ton ac with 50,000 btu two stage furnace. Shipping was 299 but still only cost $1432.99 delivered. Like I said big markup.

 

[redrider911]

That's a deal of a century! What brand?

 

[thor109]

Ruud/rheem. They haves worked flawlessly for 7 years. The flame sensor was bad on year 3 but I found you just wipe it off with scotch pad and good as new.

 

[redrider911]

Yep, clean that thing every year.