About Brian McElroy Expertise I am a home builder in the Tampa Florida area specializing in energy-efficient homes built with precast concrete wall systems that are hurricane resistant to 235 mph. I have researched and used many methods of new home construction and find this the most cost-effective, environmentally-friendly method of home building for this area. I am also investigating other alternative methods to improve my products. I am a member of the Florida Green Build Coalition, EPA Energy Star Program, and have other affiliations involving energy savings, safe building practices and quality construction practices
Experience
Past/Present clients Many happy homeowners and repeat customers.
Question I appreciate the quick response. I can understand the situation of heating in Florida. I live in NC, so heat pumps are a growing industry here. I am all for insulation and efficiency myself. I have triple pane windows and insulation to the hilt. I am heating and cooling almost 2000 square feet with a 2 ton heat pump. With my unit located where it is, on an 18 degree day, I was supplying 83 degree air soley from the heat pump without strip heat. Again thanks for the response. J-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Being you seem to be all about construction efficiency, have you or any other contractors you have encountered considered the location of the HVAC unit, especially a heat pump. I have asked a number of contractors in various fields with no positive results. I installed my heat pump outdoor unit on the south side of my home. It gets the most sun during the winter on this side and I feel it must help with heat pick up for heating. A heat pump seems to work harder to heat than cool, so I was not worried about the summer heat on it. Ideally if you had a unit for heat on the south side and one for cooling on the north side, during heating season it would have sun for heat pick up and be shaded during the summer for cooler heat exchange. Thanks for your time. J
Answer -
Honestly, you are the first person to ever bring up that issue in all my years of building new homes. I asked my favorite HVAC installer ,and he agreed with you that there might be some savings, however, he also pointed out that it might be more costly to install the compressor and run longer lines based on the location of the air handler and you might lose efficiency due to a longer run of piping. Additionally, lots of people have a problem with the location of the units due to noise and unsightliness, and most of our customers are more inteested in resale value and quiet enjoyment of the outside of their property here in Florida than efficiency. Since we cool 10 months out of the year and heat seldmoly, we focus on cooling and better internal insulation factors and less on heat retention. Thanks for the question.
Answer You are welcome. Also, I am one of the first builders in my area to use double pane glass and energy efficient practices here. I just finished one steel home that in August, utilizing R-49 insualtion in sidewalls and attic, and solar attic vents and solar hot water, his electric bill was $87.00. Normally, they are in excess of $300. Thanks for being efficient.
