New windows = LOW pH

[serpentman]

Just thought I'd share this for those contemplating window replacement. 2 weeks ago, we replaced our windows. My pH at the time was 8.1. Over the course of 2 weeks it has steadily declined. Last night it hit 7.68 as an all-time low. The obvious cause is CO2 build-up. When we purchase a new house, this will be remedied by installing an air exchanger. Til then, I hope I can keep it together with Kalk until I can air out the house. Already lost 2 corals

 

[cbcostanza]

Sorry to here about your lost corals. I guess there is a benefit to having an old house with old windows huh!! Good luck.

Chris

 

[scottfarcuz]

Tell your wife and kids to go outside if they really need to breathe.

I have the same issue. I can open a window and raise my PH by .3 within a few hours.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

This is a good example of how elevated air CO2 levels will lower the pH of the ocean.

 

[serpentman]

I guess its good on one hand, its obvious I have been losing a ton of $ in wasted heating/cooling. On the other hand...

 

[mattyice]

personally i recommend an air exchanger in any house that is pretty new (new houses are built so tight that no air can get in or out) i have an ERV (energy recovery ventilator) in my house and i dont have to pay any more money on energy bills but i also get fresh air in and stale air out, but then again i pretty much have an Aprilaire show room in my basement lol any heating and cooling question you guys can just PM me and i can do my best to help you guys out

 

[serpentman]

We are in the process of selling our house. When we move, an air exchanger will be a high priority. I would have installed on on this house but wanted to hold off until the move. Do you have any recommendations as far as equipment is concerned?

 

[mattyice]

as for an air exchanger i recommend either a york or aprilaire unit (both high quality products) and im guessing that it will be tied into the duct system in the house, if you really want good information i would look at aprilaire's website and www.aprilaire.com i know that personally i sware by this equipment because i have just about everyone of their residential products in my house, and just so everyone know this isnt me trying to sell you on any one piece of equipment this is just me and my personal experiences with their products, now if you lived closer i would say give MAP heating and cooling a call and we could give you information and have someone really explain its benefits to you, but the best info would be from aprilaires website, if you want any info though i can get some and send it out to you

 

[serpentman]

Will this also help with humidity issues in the winter? I was planning on installing an air exchanger for the winter. I may need a central dehumidifier as well.

 

[mattyice]

well i also have the aprilaire dehumidifier in my house lol, we keep the house at about 35-55% humidity in the winter and summer, we have it tied into our duct system and because of it our basement came up for 69* to 72* without any extra in heating bills, by humidity issues do you mean too dry or two humid in the winter?

if its dry a properly sized humidifier will work wonders

if its too humid from a humidifier i recommend the air exchanger to bring in the dry outdoor air and send out the humid air (the aprilaire and york ones have a heat exchanger in side of it so you barely loose any heat) or i recommend an automatic control for your humidifier if you have one, this will work off of an outdoor air sensor to automatically adjust the amount of humidity released in the air to eliminate you having to constantly adjust the humidistat based on the outdoor temperature

as for the products im talking about im not sure what the size of your house is but here is a run down of what i recommend

Aprilaire Model 8100 - ERV (energy recovery ventilator)
Aprilaire Model 400 - Evaporative Humidifier (uses 100% of water) houses up to 4000 sq. ft.
Aprilaire Model 500 - Humidifier - For houses up to 3000 sq. ft.
Aprilaire Model 600 - Humidifier - For houses up to 4000 sq. ft.
Aprilaire Model 700 - Powered Humidifier - For houses up to 4200 sq. ft.
Aprilaire Model 1700/1720 - Whole-Home Dehumidifiers (can pull up to 11 GPD out of the air)

in my house i have the model 600 humidifier, model 1700 dehumidifier, and i have a York ERV (almost identical to the aprilaire)

the model 400, 600, and 700 have full automatic controls included

if you want i can get you pictures of everything with a size comparison of the stuff, or if you want PM me and i can see what i could do on this stuff for you