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About TJ Nichols
Expertise
Hello, I'd be glad to answer your questions on IAQ & other related issues! The top TEN are as follows: (1) IAQ mysterious symptoms and how to locate & stop the causing problem. (2) Duct system designs & engineering. (3) Duct cleaning & filtration. (4) HVAC inspections, repairs, & installs. *see below. (5) Carpet & furniture cleaning. (6) Restoration services. **see below. (7) Crawlspace humidity problems. (8) Home insulation. (9) Home energy saving tips. (10) Home/Apt. maintenance with plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc. With these following * & ** questions I'll try my best to assist you in. *(some basic knowledge & experience on oil fired furnaces, very limited knowledge on water furnaces, no boilers or chillers questions, please). **(just water damage, no smoke or fire damage questions, please)

Experience
My approach is to treat the home as one system with individual working parts. Think (TEAMWORK). When one or more areas (PLAYERS) are failing or bad, it affects the whole system (TEAM) to operate less efficiently. I aim to address the problem, not just the symptoms, to offer better solution options. I've been experienced in carpet & upholstery care since 1994; Have been EPA Licensed & Certified in Types I & II Refrigeration since 1997; and have been working in IAQ issues & Home Energy Testing since 2004. I have experience with the new refrigerant R410-A. I'm currently studying Home Inspection Courses & NATE Certification Courses. Also, I've been an apartment maintenance supervisor at a couple communities. I have lived & worked at a four seasons resort supervising housekeeping & maintenance issues. I've worked for local & regional service companies. I have sold HVAC units, Duct Systems, Home Energy Tests, Infiltrometer Tests, IAQ Tests, Crawlspace Dehumidifacation Upgrades, Home Insulation Upgrades, & Water Heater.

Publications
Hopefully here, in the near future.

Education/Credentials
High School Grad (06/1991)(VA) EPA licensed & certified in Types I & II Refrigeration (04/1997)(MD) Lennox Certifications (04/2006-02/2008) (SC)

Awards and Honors
I have several letters of recommendations from customers I've served while being employed & self employed. My business opportunities grow from customers word of mouth.

Past/Present Clients
Self Employed: Local Sprint/Nextel offices in SC; local REMAX real estate office in SC; local real estate investors in SC; Apartment Communities Across NC & SC; Several Church Daycare Centers in SC; Wintergreen Resort Property Owners in VA; Home Owners across NC & SC. Employeed Locally & Regionally: Serviced Home Owners & Business in VA, NC & SC, TN, MS, & GA.

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Protecting your Home and Family > Indoor Air Quality > Fresh make up air needed

Indoor Air Quality - Fresh make up air needed

Expert: TJ Nichols - 11/5/2009

Question
I have been updating the windows/doors/insulation in my ranch house, 2000sqft inc. unfinsished basement,and have been having high humidity problems in the winter time. Yesterday I had a home energy assesment performed and preliminary data suggests the house is too tight now. Before the contractors return with suggestions I like to have as much info as I can. I am thinking I may need an HRV, I live in western NY, for air exchange, but also when the furnace/dryer/exaust fans run the house goes into negative pressure. How would you recommend bringing in fresh make up air into the house to equalize pressure? Would you also recommend an HRV as a means to help lower indoor humidity or would the make up fresh air system you advise be enough? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Joe,

Yes, I would recommend a HRV, because it's doing both, helping dehumidify, and helping bring in filtered fresh air, but only in this fashion. When it's installed to the HVAC System & Duct System, make sure the current duct system is structurally sound, engineered correctly, sized properly, and sealed air tight with mastic and/or by a sealing machine. May have to do some duct modifications, or total replacement, just depends. Have a qualified HVAC Tech w/IAQ skills check the duct system visually, and test static pressure and air flow. I would have him check the size of the return & the return grill(s) to make sure that they are big enough. It sounds like that it is possible, that you may have leaky ducts and maybe a small return for your house, and it's magnifying the problem. Also, for the furnace it should have it's own supply of outside fresh air for combustion proposes. That would aid a little in preventing the negative pressure. Also foam seal the attic & basement from the main interior living space as best as possible. Doing these things together will help give you the best overall results.

Well Joe, I hope that helps you! If you need more clarity on anything that I've mentioned or if you have additional info that you feel is beneficial, then please let me know. Otherwise, I look forward to your reply back on what you decided to do and the results that were achieved!

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