Contact info for Architect David Johnson
Shouldn’t take much to install it. Not sure what the relevance is between the window and the brick building… I would do it. Call me at 347-276-6528 Levi SoHoAppliances
levicapland
in Architecture 13 years and 11 months ago
2557
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2557 replies
timespace | 12 years and 8 months ago
I’ve been looking into them for my place too and Doulton seems to make some reasonable ones. They have a good reputation and I like my undercounter unit. This seems to be a decent basic carbon unit (filters chlorine, VOCs, etc, but not heavy metals) but they have some pricier, full featured ones: http://doultonusa.com/whole_house_water_filters/whole_house_carbon_filters.htm . I’m thinking of combined that with point of use units where ever drinking water is involved.
johnmarrison | 12 years and 8 months ago
Hi all
Thank you for sharing such relevant topic with us. I really love all the great stuff you provide. Thanks again and keep it coming.
Beat regards
John marrison
etconstruction | 12 years and 8 months ago
It is hard to give advice with one picture, if you would like I can swing by and take a look at it and give you your options @ no cost.
Edward Torres President of ET Construction Design & Glass Inc Business # 917 468 9468 Fax # 347 422 0121 Visit us @ www.Phoneetforyourhome.com
cupolacoffee | 12 years and 8 months ago
If you are in a historic district and need LPC permits, even $15,000 is cheap for the work you describe. In other words, even the guy quoting $15,000 will not deliver the results you’re looking for. Hard to believe, but true. Make sure your quotes include the LPC and DOB permit fees, otherwise it’ll be too late when you’re hit up for more than the original quote. For a quote from a legitimate, established, reliable company, call Historic Windows: http://www.historicalwindows.com/
You might also want to read this: http://reclaimedhome.com/2011/08/09/new-windows-installed/
mesav | 12 years and 8 months ago
I recently had Method Restoration restore my windows. Amazing job. I cannot say enough about the quality and craftmanship, not to mention the service. Check out their website www.methodrestoration.com. Ask for Peter
cityrat | 12 years and 8 months ago
btw I am pretty sure those zoned, ductless A/Cs (of the “Mr. Slim” variety, though they’ve evolved quite a bit) can be done with a certain kind of air handler units that can fit flush into the walls and just have a decorative grate over the top. might want to look into that as from what i hear it’s a lot easier than putting ductwork in the walls.
kerissamillan | 12 years and 8 months ago
Hello there Barbjean, While there is a huge gap in the price range, it is not odd at all. There are “some” contractors that just want to get it done…which means a quick an easy fix that will most infintely show some defectiveness within the next few months after installation. And there are the “few” that just want to rip out your pocket. My advice: find a contractor that can give you references, knows what he’s talking about, and is professional. Do your research before hand to avoid a crappy job. I have a guy in mind that has done work for me. Try Shaiful at 1347-474-4109.
brucef | 12 years and 8 months ago
Thinking out loud, the usual configuration of the flues would be a problem. The highest two floors usually are the two middle flues with the parlor and basement floors coming up the two outside passages. To reconfigure the duct distribution would require demo’ing the walls/brickwork, and sounds like a real mess. Unless you could drop in the stainless flue liner and pull it around the swerves? I sound like a broken record constantly hawking Unico Systems, but once again it could work. This sounds like a job for a dedicated HVAC contractor, only during the off season. It does seem to me to be the opposite of a budget job. Have you any idea of the complexity and expense in zoning a conventional system? You’d be better off with a balanced single zone system. It sounds less efficient, but a heck of lot less complex. Once it drew down the heat out of your house, assuming you are well insulated, you should be OK. DOB is going to insist on an ME, and this is exactly the type of job ME’s are horrid at. Better find a willing HVAC contractor who is enthusiastic about your project, who will design the solution, and let him use his own ME to stamp the plans.
steam_man | 12 years and 8 months ago
I concur with most of what brucef just said. If you are indeed doing a renovation then the first route is to converse with your Architect al la Jock DeBoer or maybe even with Jock DeBoer! In any case I always prefer having load calcs and a basic design done by the ME. Typically we come in after that and make any revisions and provide a proposal. Typically not the lowest priced, however I can say that our systems work, they are efficient and we have happy clients that provide us with nice referrals. Just make sure you budget enough for the Mechanicals. And remember the more zones, the more Indoor Air Quality equipment and the more you add efficiency, the more you will have to budget. All in all this is one of those items that will add maximum value to your home and your health. Go that route and you won’t be sorry. Good luck.
brucef | 12 years and 8 months ago
This topic has come up quite a few times recently in this forum. Try a search on different terms to view these threads. Try Unico, Sanyo, Fujitsu, mini-split etc. I have submitted a few posts that were opinionated but hopefully informative. I never seem to have luck with the search feature here, maybe try looking at other posts I have submitted to find the threads. We are HVAC contractors in So Jersey, and we don’t do work in NYC, so my info has no sales motive. In NJ, mechanical engineers ask us to provide the HVAC solutions for residences. Perhaps for a hospital or hotel they devise the plan, but in general mechanical engineers that we deal with (and that I have dealt with in NYC) are big on opinions but challenged on the ground. For instance many ME’s can determine a load correctly, but haven’t a clue what is involved in what is basically a “retrofit”. Your best bet is to talk to a few of the contractors on this site, and for the design of the HVAC, take their word for it. I would not recommend this approach for any other trade, so this applies to HVAC only. Normally a better HVAC contractor may have a ME that stamps their solutions for DOB. If you are gut renovating, you have a few options unavailable otherwise. HVAC is something you want done right, and there are many, many HVAC contractors who don’t even realize how bad they are. It is a trade that is difficult or impossible to fix when botched, so the normal shoping for price does not apply. I am not saying write a blank check, just that a pricey correct solution will be stunningly better than a poorly conceived solution.
jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 9 months ago
Start with your architect above the various options and ways to provide A/C. But in the end, hire a mechanical engineer to design the system. That can be used to bid out that part of the work and secure a permit for it.
ellenlourie | 12 years and 9 months ago
What architect has to do with AC?
Putnamdenizen | 12 years and 9 months ago
This seems a conversation for you and your architect, who may then call in an HVAC specialist to spec out your needs. While there may indeed be a knowledgeable person employed by Home Depot somewhere in the US, I have never encountered anyone with the degree of knowledge that you would want to rely upon for a decision like this. Actually Home Depot is a living hell.
Erstwhile | 12 years and 9 months ago
Just to expand a bit on what Bruce mentioned, you should really not be hearing much noise, if any, from the Unico system assuming a proper installation. I think they want 12 ducts per ton, gradual bends, etc. My system is dead quiet, as it should be. It is really important that you find a good installer. Unico publishes detailed installation guidelines, and they must be followed to the letter. I would call the rep (Venco Sales) and get the names of factory trained installers (“advanced certified”) since you will get the benefit of a 5 year warranty vs. 1, plus some assurance that you aren’t hiring a hack. Again, I stress the importance of finding a good installer. On that note, your 20k quote sounds about half of what a quality install should cost, but it’s unclear what that is being proposed and what your building’s load requirements are. Now is that time for a Man . J by the way, before you start shopping bids. Also, one big advantage of the Unico system is that it absolutely excels at dehumidification, much better than anything else out there especially if you are using their Unichiller (air-water heat pump) and hydro coils versus the dx coils. For this reason, you may want to avoid going with a dx condenser. The Unichiller can also be zoned to multiple air handlers unlike dx condensors. With a cold evaporator coil, you will have a very comfortable kick ass system.
brucef | 12 years and 9 months ago
This question has been discussed recently, maybe a search will pull it up. We have installed Unico Systems, and in fact I happen to have one in my personal home, here in NJ. In a nutshell, Unico has advantages and dis-advantages. All things being equal, Unico only has one line, which i woud characterize as “top of the line”. The condenser is 3rd party, and can be as good as you want (bryant etc.) Other manufacturers have a wide variety of lines, from top of the line all the way down to what we call “builder’s grade” MItsubishi is OK in quality so we aren’t comparing schlock to quality. An extensive multizone ductless set-up gains efficiency from distributing the cool with more granularity. The money saved by not having to cool an unused space is dramatic. Unico will almost certainly be one large zone. Winner – mini-split. Running multiple line sets to a buch of locations, and spiriting away condensate from each of those areas, and maintaining umpty separate evaporators, Winner Unico. Eye-sore of multiple line sets outside. Winner Unico. Running smallish (8″X8″) trunk duct and some sort of currectly sized return, Winner mini-split. Eyesore of wall hung evaporators, Winner Unico Two of twenty Unico registers making undesireable noise versus evaporators all blowing? – Winner – toss-up. You don’t mention difficulty of access/installation (noramlly won by Unico) so I can’t tell how important that is. Some of it comes down to personal preferences. if you would like to contact me off line, bruce at jerseydata.net
jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 9 months ago
Keep in mind the high velocity system can be bit loud.
andreas_ps | 12 years and 9 months ago
Call tesla 347-645-2202\. Does all kinds of security camera work.
ebasin | 12 years and 9 months ago
I am surprised to hear your feedback regarding Harris, I have worked for a large management company for 20+ yrs and we primarily use Harris for all of our water main and sewer needs. We actually gave a few jobs out over the years just to see what the competition is like and we always ended up going back to Harris
etconstruction | 12 years and 9 months ago
We are structure specialist and will be more than happy to make a visit to see what was done and give you the best solutions to repair and reinforce all areas. We will give you a free home visit and free written estimate with no obligation whats so ever the only thing that will happen is you gaining knowledge on the structure and well being of your home. Contact # 917 468 9468 Fax # 347 422 0121 Email- Phoneetforyourhome@gmail.com web site – www.Phoneetforyourhome.com Good luck