Good morning all- We live in a 100yr old coop on a high floor. We installed central AC when we moved in around 10yrs ago and need to have it updated as one compressor seems undersized for the summer heat now. When i do that i would like to explore fresh air intake options. In the winter, our apartment is uncomfortably hot since we’re on a high floor and can’t control the heating system (yes we... [more]
Good morning all-
We live in a 100yr old coop on a high floor. We installed central AC when we moved in around 10yrs ago and need to have it updated as one compressor seems undersized for the summer heat now. When i do that i would like to explore fresh air intake options. In the winter, our apartment is uncomfortably hot since we’re on a high floor and can’t control the heating system (yes we turn our radiators off). When we open the windows in the winter, given the layout of our apartment, we dont always get good airlfow so regulating the air flow and temperature in different rooms is very difficult. Does anyone know if it s possible to integrate exterior air ventilation with a traditional AC system? Ie a combination AC / fresh air fan intake system that could be run as a traditional ac in the summer (use indoor air, cool it and send the hot air out) and fresh air fan in the winter (ie bring cold outdoor air in)? Thanks!
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Response by multicityresident
over 1 year ago
Posts: 2421
Member since: Jan 2009
Good question - bumping it to the fore.
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Response by multicityresident
over 1 year ago
Posts: 2421
Member since: Jan 2009
Would just running a PTAC in "fan only"
mode work?
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Response by inonada
over 1 year ago
Posts: 7931
Member since: Oct 2008
>> Would just running a PTAC in "fan only"
mode work?
That probably just recirculates interior air. About the same level of help as running a plug-in fan: it’ll move air more, but not in a very directed way.
I ain’t no HVAC expert, but I believe using fresh air rather than recirculating interior air that is closer to desired temp is antithetical to HVAC design. Even the presence of fresh air as an “option” would degrade the efficiency of the system because of inevitable leakage, which would get worse over time as seals degrade, dampers degrade, etc.
A notable exception is cars, of course, where there is an abundance of energy (AC is a drop in the bucket) and a an extremely limited volume of air.
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Response by 300_mercer
over 1 year ago
Posts: 10539
Member since: Feb 2007
Nada, OP seems to need window shades, low E replacement windows, or heat reducing window film.
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Response by 300_mercer
over 1 year ago
Posts: 10539
Member since: Feb 2007
Of course, an HVAC engineer can add a fresh air intake for the winter (adjustable intake with louvers) and connect it the air handler. But usually space constraints and venting limit such options for coop retrofit.
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Response by nyc_sport
over 1 year ago
Posts: 809
Member since: Jan 2009
This is clearly not the energy efficient path, but what you ask is clearly doable. Make up air to address powerful exhaust fans use this approach, but you need a source near to the vent system and as 300 says, it needs a mechanical louver to keep the vent closed when not in use
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Response by stache
over 1 year ago
Posts: 1292
Member since: Jun 2017
Removing the radiators also helps. I did that at my old place.
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Response by Aaron2
over 1 year ago
Posts: 1693
Member since: Mar 2012
I also removed two radiators as part of my renovation - but it's a partial solution. If your apartment is far too hot, then the correct solution is to have less heat coming into it, not add cold air. Talk to your super or board -- if everybody is feeling overheated, a building-wide solution may be the most efficient solution.
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Response by 30yrs_RE_20_in_REO
over 1 year ago
Posts: 9876
Member since: Mar 2009
You want to insulate any exposed heating pipes.
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Response by stache
over 1 year ago
Posts: 1292
Member since: Jun 2017
I'm thinking this was covered before or possibly NY Times. We have this problem in my building. It's physical science, cold air comes into the lobby upon opening doors in winter, even with revolving doors which forces up the hot air. Unless the roof is vented the hot air gets trapped in the top two floors.
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Good question - bumping it to the fore.
Would just running a PTAC in "fan only"
mode work?
>> Would just running a PTAC in "fan only"
mode work?
That probably just recirculates interior air. About the same level of help as running a plug-in fan: it’ll move air more, but not in a very directed way.
I ain’t no HVAC expert, but I believe using fresh air rather than recirculating interior air that is closer to desired temp is antithetical to HVAC design. Even the presence of fresh air as an “option” would degrade the efficiency of the system because of inevitable leakage, which would get worse over time as seals degrade, dampers degrade, etc.
A notable exception is cars, of course, where there is an abundance of energy (AC is a drop in the bucket) and a an extremely limited volume of air.
Nada, OP seems to need window shades, low E replacement windows, or heat reducing window film.
Of course, an HVAC engineer can add a fresh air intake for the winter (adjustable intake with louvers) and connect it the air handler. But usually space constraints and venting limit such options for coop retrofit.
This is clearly not the energy efficient path, but what you ask is clearly doable. Make up air to address powerful exhaust fans use this approach, but you need a source near to the vent system and as 300 says, it needs a mechanical louver to keep the vent closed when not in use
Removing the radiators also helps. I did that at my old place.
I also removed two radiators as part of my renovation - but it's a partial solution. If your apartment is far too hot, then the correct solution is to have less heat coming into it, not add cold air. Talk to your super or board -- if everybody is feeling overheated, a building-wide solution may be the most efficient solution.
You want to insulate any exposed heating pipes.
I'm thinking this was covered before or possibly NY Times. We have this problem in my building. It's physical science, cold air comes into the lobby upon opening doors in winter, even with revolving doors which forces up the hot air. Unless the roof is vented the hot air gets trapped in the top two floors.