2nd floor AC unit

Got the rest of the 2nd floor heat pump system installed today and all upstairs ductwork completed.  They also installed the condenser (exterior unit) outside and shifted over our existing unit.  The new unit is so small!

Also Dad helped rebuild a section of exterior wall/window frame that had major termite damage. Thanks also to Mom for help with cleanup work.  Excellent work!

Old unit is in the foreground, the small darker gray unit is the new 2nd floor unit.

Finally, noticed that the Hostas that were moved to next to the fence last year have come back all on their own despite being covered in backfill for months.  Interesting how they broke through the ground.  Nature always finds a way!

Continued HVAC progress

Not much to report today, just some photos of some additional HVAC progress.  The 2nd floor unit will not be fully installed until we have our windows installed as the company does not want the unit installed in what they consider an unprotected space.


2nd floor return (intake) air vent.  Unfortunately located right at the top of the new attic stairs!

Start of the new basement ductwork to extend ductwork for our 1st floor system and integrate forced air heat with our boilers/radiator

ductwork in the basement space

main duct running next to the steel beam in the basement.  This duct feeds one of the vents in the 1st floor family room

This is a make-up air damper.  If you have a kitchen range vent hood that is more than 400 CFM (it's either 300 or 400CFM) the new codes require that you have a way to bring fresh air in to the house when the fan is turned on.  Otherwise, there is a chance that the fan is powerful enough to suck the exhaust out of a chimney or gas hot water heater.  The make-up air damper system automatically opens a damper to allow fresh air into the return air system whenever the kitchen range hood is turned on.  It's not a super efficient design as it introduces unconditioned air into the return air system, but unfortunately is a requirement with as large of a kitchen vent hood as we will have (900 CFM).  Most HVAC contractors know about these requirements but vent hood manufacturers are still reluctant to tell people about it as they are worried it will steer consumers away from the larger (and more profitable) vent hoods.

Lots of progress! + video link

Sorry it's been a while in posting.  Up until yesterday not much had changed.  I have sort of put all plumbing work on hold until HVAC work completes, at the earliest.  I may end up hiring someone to complete the remaining DWV (drain, waste, venting) portion of the plumbing as I am getting tired of doing that.

HVAC work is in full swing right now and should be completed most likely by Friday.  It is a bit odd having one company working upstairs and another company downstairs but they're pretty much staying out of each other's way.

Also yesterday the framers were back to work on various miscellaneous framing tasks including building out the interior basement stairs wall.

We are hoping to get the fascia and rake board installed by Tuesday so that the roofers can come on Wednesday to install the shingles.

Last night I got the 2nd floor HVAC attic platform built and then Kim helped me install the attic ladder.

Finally, I did an attic video describing a few things up there.

Not sure which room this is, but the vents on the left are HVAC vents and the one on the right is a housing for a bathroom exhaust fan.

Dryer vent box

One of the 2nd floor ductwork trunks

HVAC platform in the attic.

Attic stairs opening framed up

Another view of the HVAC platform

Basement interior stairs/hallway framing

Attic ladder after installation.  The model we purchased also includes a door/lid with R-12 insulation but I decided not to install it yet so it won't get damaged during construction.

Attic video:

https://youtu.be/nLCE4jPXhC8