[MS493]

Hi, I am building a small cottage and hired a contrctor to do the duct work and install a dual stage furnace and an HRV. He has left the job unfinished with the furnace installed, the heat ducts almost complete, about 90%, but no air return or HRV. I can't get anyone to come and complete the job. Everyone wants to tear it apart and restart at new costs.

I'm fairly handy and want to at least try and finish the duct work myself, and hire someone to come and connect it to gas. Electrical is going to be me.

It's a Napoleon C96 in a down flow configuration where the hot air goes into the basement, then into each of the rooms and to the second floor because of joist and support beams interference. I have figured out where my air return vents will and how to get it to the system, but don't know how it connects to the system. I also need to figure out how the filter would be installed.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[yuri]

If you are in Canada you must have a licensed gas fitter take out a gas permit and have it inspected.

I know most contractors don't want to mess around with other people's jobs but you should make sure you can get that base covered first.

It should come with a installation manual and if that is missing contact Napoleon and get one.

The return air will come in a plenum on top of the furnace. Usually most people put a slide in filter there on a rack. If the furnace comes with a filter rack internally by the fan you may be able to use a internal filter.

I would prefer a external one as the internal ones can use some odd sized hard to get filters and are a pain to get at.

The HRV is tricky as it needs to be interlocked to the furnace to turn on the furnace fan PLUS it needs to have it's airflow properly balanced or it will freeze up or create too much negative or positive air pressure inside the cottage.

Why did the installer quit?

Maybe Napoleon can help you get another and schmooze them into finishing the job. Talk to the area manager.

Good Luck.

 

[user_12345a]

HRVs can be piped so the furnace fan doesn't need to be run continuously, saving energy -> just take the stale air directly from the house, not the return duct. Supply goes into return and naturally finds its way into the house. May throw off the balance a little when the fan comes on though.

------------
Look into alpine indoor air - they have plenum/duct kits and include free videos so you can get an idea with respect to sheet metal handling.

don't forget youtube though.

 

[supers05]

Did they give a reason why they want to tear it all down? Code reasons? Where is this cottage?

Cheers!

 

[yuri]

The furnace fan does not need to be run continuos with a HRV. Mine is not.

The HRV can be used to cut in when the RH gets too high or on a timer. If on a timer then it turns on the furnace fan at the same time thru G.

All depends on why you have a HRV or what you want it to do. If you run it continuos it will dry the heck out of your house in cold climates like parts of Canada.

 

[MS493]

@supers05 not really. One just said I don't like finishing other people's work... liability issue.

 

[supers05]

@supers05 not really. One just said I don't like finishing other people's work... liability issue.

I will charge extra to inspect their work, and correct as necessary, for liability reasons. I wouldn't turn down the job. Something sounds fishy.

Where is the cottage? At least the state/province etc. It'll matter for code and suggestions.

Cheers!

 

[MS493]

Yuri, something like this? And I realize i'm ignoring the sizing of the runs.


Floor 2
----------------------║ ║
Floor 1 ║ ║
----------------------║ ║ ╔═╗
║ ╚═╩══╝ ██
Crawlspace ╚═╩══╩══╩══██

 

[MS493]

it didn't come out right. Let me post a pic

 

[MS493]

 

[MS493]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PfhTnLJdmbfexjvw6

 

[MS493]

I will charge extra to inspect their work, and correct as necessary, for liability reasons. I wouldn't turn down the job. Something sounds fishy.

Where is the cottage? At least the state/province etc. It'll matter for code and suggestions.

Cheers!

It's near wairton, ontario

 

[yuri]

Wiarton Willie?:smile:

https://www.southbrucepeninsula.com/en/wiartonwillie/welcome.asp

I went thru Wiarton years ago, very nice area.

There are NO liability issues as long as it is properly inspected by the gas inspector.

Ontario is pretty strict and I am not sure about the electrical but in Manitoba the gas inspector checks everything and we have limited electrical licenses with our gas license too.

The liability issue is BS I suspect.

 

[supers05]

Being Ontario, if you are the owner, you can do the work yourself. The building inspector may want to see a gas pressure tag though. Do note that you have to be the legal owner, just in case you've done any creative accounting.

Keep asking around. There's a few out that way that'll do what you want. They will be busy so you might have to be patient. I don't remember any names though.

Cheers!

 

[supers05]

Most of the install is not overly difficult, on an individual basis. It does take some skill to make things look good, and not have to redo things several times, but it's not impossible. Specialty tools and materials are required though There's plenty of YouTube videos. If you post pictures of what's not done, we can guide you a bit more if you really want to DIY it.

Normally, I'd use small plenum to extend the return out. I'd buy a filter rack matching the plenum, sized for the furnace/AC. An adapter piece is sometimes needed. I have it all made at a ductwork shop. I'd fabricate on site the square tie in for the 2 returns, unless I'm really aiming for low noise, then I'd use a prefabricated tee.

Cheers!