Finally Bought Some Land II

[Ras72]

Good points regarding humidity and filtration. Perhaps I need to lessen my grip on fenestration R values and concentrate on conditioning.

[jesseth]

Highly highly recommend you hire someone with experience in MidAtlantic conditioning specifics, it's a very unique climate, especially when you get into low load houses like you're describing with very high quality enclosures I na humid environment.

Some very smart outfits worth contacting so you don't DIY yourself into a partial load / humidity mess:
John Semmelhack or other in Charlottesville: https://www.comfortsquad.us/home
Alison Bailes' group in Decatur: https://www.energyvanguard.com/hvac-design/

Alison even wrote a book recently that is great for what you're thinking about: https://www.energyvanguard.com/book-...he-or-does-it/
Also this book is also really really excellent, a bit cold climate centric, but it gets pretty cold up on the ridge: https://www.tauntonstore.com/pretty-good-house
https://www.prettygoodhouse.org
Matt Risinger's The Build Show on YouTube also talks a lot about modern high performance construction & HVAC.

Always an ERV in houses like yours, and almost always dedicated de-humidification in your climate. Then fill in the rest with air source heat pumps only is where almost everyone ends up.

[j44ke]

Highly highly recommend you hire someone with experience in MidAtlantic conditioning specifics, it's a very unique climate, especially when you get into low load houses like you're describing with very high quality enclosures I na humid environment.

Some very smart outfits worth contacting so you don't DIY yourself into a partial load / humidity mess:
John Semmelhack or other in Charlottesville: https://www.comfortsquad.us/home
Alison Bailes' group in Decatur: https://www.energyvanguard.com/hvac-design/

Alison even wrote a book recently that is great for what you're thinking about: https://www.energyvanguard.com/book-...he-or-does-it/
Also this book is also really really excellent, a bit cold climate centric, but it gets pretty cold up on the ridge: https://www.tauntonstore.com/pretty-good-house
https://www.prettygoodhouse.org
Matt Risinger's The Build Show on YouTube also talks a lot about modern high performance construction & HVAC.

Always an ERV in houses like yours, and almost always dedicated de-humidification in your climate. Then fill in the rest with air source heat pumps only is where almost everyone ends up.

Good info. Thanks for that.

[jesseth]

It's nice there is finally some books that are serious about the design & technical side of architecture and construction but accessible to normal people. Amazing buildings are possible now, but there is so so much chaff in the air from people trying to sell product that it's really hard to pick out a sensible way to build.

[Ras72]

Asheville floods - I'm speechless.
Since the purchase of this property in 2019, my heart, mind, and soul has been in Asheville. After learning about the total devastation Helene brought to the area (and beyond) I simply cannot believe what my eyes are seeing. My prayers, good wishes, happy thoughts - whatever you want to call them - goes out to all that's been affected by this storm. I pray that everyone has access to, at minimum, the bare necessities.

My personal plans to get started on the build of my home in Asheville was closing in on a start date. But this will have to wait. This build will be shelved for a long time. This is going to be a LONG recovery.

[mnoble485]

Rick,
I am in Waynesville, about 40 minutes west of Asheville, and the wreckage is unimaginable. We are at an elevation of 4,000 feet so no flood damage but no power, water (well), WiFi, cell service. Down below many bridges are gone. I-40 west to Tennessee and east to Asheville are closed. Trying to let friends and family know we are ok involved driving 30 miles to get a WiFi connection at a Ford dealership. They made coffee and hotdogs for everyone who came to get a signal.

We are going to visit family in Indianapolis for a bit until things get “better”. I could bitch but we are so much better off than many. It will be a struggle for many for a long time.

Mike

[Ras72]

Mike,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insight. Good to hear you’re okay. I know the people of Asheville are strong and will begin working through this.
I’m currently on the other side of the world trying to figure out how I can help. Logistical nightmare but mild inconvenience in comparison.
Be safe!