I tried searching for various phrases and it just could be that I'm not getting the right lingo, but I couldn't find anything on duct work that is done through the concrete slab.
I'm meeting with my builder after work today to discuss the details of my studio build and house. Notice my order, which subconsciously hints at the order of importance. :shock: :wink:
Okay, so we had, I thought, decided on a mini-split system since I wouldn't have to run duct work and worry about the complications with it. HOWEVER, my builder also does duct work through the concrete slab for energy purposes. Would this be viable? Would it be better or worse than a mini-split system?
I wish I had my design with me to post. :cry:
And one more question...I'm doing a staggered stud plate on the perimeter walls and then on the sound room walls (LR, CR, ISO), I'm wanting to do the two leaf system with two layers of 5/8" drywall. Green Glue, etc. I'll be in a neighborhood away from roads in a circle drive so it's pretty private. Standard walls in the lobby, office, and bathroom.
Mini-Splits vs Running things through concrete slab
Originally posted at johnlsayers.com, topic 13689.
You'll still need ductwork: A mini-split only recirculates the exact same air within the room. It does not bring in any fresh air, nor exhaust stale air, and you do need to do that. So you'll need ducts for bringing fresh air in, more ducts for taking stale air out, and silencers in line with those ducts to deal with the issue of noise getting in / out through the ducts. - Stuart -Okay, so we had, I thought, decided on a mini-split system since I wouldn't have to run duct work and worry about the complications with it.
There are some mini splits that can provide fresh air such as this one. http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/18XS72.html I just installed two mini splits my self but still had to run ducting for fresh air. If you go with a mini split look for one the qualifies for the 30% tax credit.
Thanks for the reply, Stuart. You've helped me before. :D I met with my builder this evening and I think we decided to eliminate the mini-split from consideration. Now we're thinking a 2 ton variable speed system. Something that runs low and slow, ya know? The only thing I'm bouncing between right now is having the duct work in the concrete slab or doing flex duct. Either way, I'll do plenty of turns in the duct work. The only plus I see with the typical flex duct route is being able to modify it later with silencers. Recommendations? As far as fresh air exchange, I was considering that just opening doors and such as normal would provide the fresh air exchange. The place is approximately 1400 sq ft. I can do fresh air exchanges...I just figured that would be a nasty way to introduce bleed from other rooms and let outside noise in.You'll still need ductwork: A mini-split only recirculates the exact same air within the room. It does not bring in any fresh air, nor exhaust stale air, and you do need to do that. So you'll need ducts for bringing fresh air in, more ducts for taking stale air out, and silencers in line with those ducts to deal with the issue of noise getting in / out through the ducts. - Stuart -Okay, so we had, I thought, decided on a mini-split system since I wouldn't have to run duct work and worry about the complications with it.
"duct work in the concrete slab or doing flex duct."
Unless you have, or your finisher has, every attempted this...it is not something for the faint of heart.
Typical duct may be six inches tall...your slab may be 4 inches tall. In the areas that I have seen duct in slab, it was a conduit...a wide ass open pipe that went from here to everywhere else.
The builder has a lot of experience laying duct in concrete slabs. He does it with a lot of his homes for energy efficiency. He was talking about, if we went with that, doing individual feeds to the rooms with turns so that there wouldn't be a lead that runs out and then just branch off of that...which would probably create some bad room bleed."duct work in the concrete slab or doing flex duct." Unless you have, or your finisher has, every attempted this...it is not something for the faint of heart. Typical duct may be six inches tall...your slab may be 4 inches tall. In the areas that I have seen duct in slab, it was a conduit...a wide ass open pipe that went from here to everywhere else.