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Most recent posting below. See other articles in the column to the right.

The Air You Breathe

August 19, 2010 By Dickson Development Corporation

The Air You Breathe

Just as the human body has a respiratory system, so a house has
specialized equipment to bring fresh air inside, filter it, distribute and
'exhale' it. The respiratory equipment in a house is often referred to as
"HVAC," for "heating, ventilating and air conditioning."

As homebuilding has become more sophisticated, so have HVAC
systems. From the days of a single source of heat, such as a woodstove,
this vital function has expanded to include a variety of components that
deliver and improve indoor comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency.
Which system is appropriate depends on factors such as climate, square
footage, house design and construction methods, budget, fuel sources,
and personal preferences. The wide range of options gives the
professional builder an opportunity to create exactly the best HVAC
system for each home.

To help builders and owners evaluate the choices, HVAC products and
systems are rated by their energy efficiency so that energy use and cost
can be reduced. For example, the better a particular furnace may be in
recovering, filtering, and reusing the conditioned (heated) air that it
produces, the less fuel it needs to condition new air coming into the
system. Today's top-of-the-line systems achieve 90 percent or more
efficiency in this regard.

Using high-performance equipment, a builder can design an HVAC
system to heat, cool, and ventilate specific zones of the house. Even in
the best-built and insulated homes, some areas of a house will be
warmer or cooler than others according to the time of year or time of day.
This is especially true in homes with multiple levels and large open
spaces. A "zoned" approach to HVAC design puts conditioned air only
where it is needed. With a delivery system composed of a customized
network of air ducts, programmable thermostats, and additional
equipment as required, a home will have no hot spots or cold corners
regardless of season.

Of course, like any system in a home (or the human body), the HVAC
system does not work alone. To be truly effective, each system requires a
well-designed and constructed structural shell, together with regular
maintenance, to maintain the desired performance. Optimum
performance of any HVAC system requires insulated windows, insulated
framing cavities in the walls, floors, and ceilings. In addition, a properly
installed air barrier membrane wrapping the outside of the structural shell
helps complete the package. In some cases, a well-built home enables
the use of smaller and less expensive HVAC components.

A good HVAC system is essential to the comfort of any new home,
contributing in large part to the satisfaction of the owner. As professional
homebuilders, we are conscious of our responsibility to design and install
HVAC systems that deliver consistent indoor comfort while using as little
energy as possible.

We at Dickson Development along with our plumbing, HVAC and
electrical trade partners are experienced in evaluating the HVAC needs
of each of our projects, whether for new construction or remodeling. If
you are interested call me to discuss how we can possibly upgrade your
HVAC system to be more energy efficient and bring greater comfort to
your home.

Richard Dickson
Dickson Development
Corporation
666 Plainsboro Road, Suite 1300
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
(609) 799 0220 - phone

info@dicksondevelopment.com
www.dicksondevelopment.com