Energy consultant
I’m looking for recommendations for hiring an energy consultant. I’m in the planning stage for a tight envelope, well insulated, house in Arkansas, but the consultant could be located anywhere. If anyone has a recommendation, I would also appreciate reasons for your recommendation.
I’m specifically looking for recommendations on HVAC and dehumidification. I’ve looked at heat pumps, mini-splits, geothermal and the rest. I’ve considered hydronics, ductless and ducted.
I see that others have asked similar questions in Q&A and will look over those answers too.
Martin and Dana; do you do consultation?
I already have these websites:
https://www.phius.org/find-a-professional
https://www.resnet.us/
https://www.builditgreen.org/directories/certified-professionals-directory
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/bulletin-board
Thanks
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Replies
Just two to mention:
I've learned a bit from watching Corbet Lunsford, now operating in Atlanta, who's tried running a consulting group, producing a television show, making a podcast, and is now vlogging his own custom home construction. https://www.youtube.com/user/GreenDreamGroup/videos
And of course, Joe Lstiburek in New England, who helped launch this whole field, though if I had to guess, his rates are probably suited for institutional consulting. https://www.buildingscience.com/building-science-corporation-team https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lstiburek
"Energy consultant" runs the gamut from people like this, down to some guy with a blower door and some spray foam.
Arkansas, like the rest of the South, is on the humid side of things. According to Lew Harriman (New England) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BUgHkZQ4mE , most of the thermodynamic work done by air conditioning in humid places is dehumidification which is implicitly required in order to lower the temperature. It seems to be a general consensus that separating out dehumidification controls and thermal adjustment of the air supply is an important thing to do.
I agree that emphasis on dehumidification as a separate system is key.
You may want to talk with Energy Vanguard out of Georgia as the weather should be similar.
They have a great blog that is worth reading on their website.
https://www.energyvanguard.com/
Walta
Walter: I am considering Energy Vanguard; Thanks
Ditto on Energy Vanguard. Allison did the HVAC design for my new home (construction yet to be started). I'm in zone two south of Houston.