1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Finishing Basement - HVAC recommendations

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by Madjake, Sep 10, 2008.

  1. Madjake

    Madjake New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2008
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    2
    I am in the process of finishing my basement and looking for advice or a contractor recommendation to extend the ductwork and add a return. I have gotten a couple of quotes and it seems like they just want to sell me a new furnace unit. Anyone have a contractor recommendation?

    Thanks!
     
  2. quailpond06

    quailpond06 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2006
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    1
    We used RA Dobson Heating and Cooling for our HVAC work while finishing our basement. We worked with Justin Dobson and his contact information is 703-777-8705, 703-481-3700 (mobile), and jdobson@radobson.com. We were very pleased with their work and have gone on to use them for AC repairs.
     
  3. Neighbor

    Neighbor Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2004
    Messages:
    492
    Likes Received:
    6
    If you are a little bit handy, it is easy to do yourself. Tools required are minimal. Really the most difficult part is cutting into the main duct. Placement is important (distance from walls, doors, windows, etc.), but I found the work very easy. If you want instructions, I can type some up. It is important to wear gloves and goggles for this type of work though (goggles for the cutting, because little pieces of metal seem to find the eyes very easily). You can get the vents, ducts, and tape from HD or Lowes (although I prefered the Lowes products). I installed 6 vents and one return in my basement.
     
  4. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,396
    Likes Received:
    5
    I agree the physical work is fairly easy for someone handy. You need to be careful about the engineering requirements for how many vents are need, what is required for a return vent, and what is the capacity of your existing system.

    The return vent is most important. Especially in a basement. Pulling cold air off of the floor and having it run through the furnace helps to keep the space feeling less like a basement. Make sure the return vent is big enough for the space, and sized for the HVAC system you have.

    When I did mine, I got several quotes and from them learned a lot about what the existing system could handle, and what was needed to condition the space. The education became the basis of what I ended up doing by myself.


     
  5. Madjake

    Madjake New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2008
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    2
    Well, I am doing a good bit of the work myself. All of the framing so far and plan on at least pulling wire, making up boxes etc. But I will have some contractors in for plumbing, electrical hookup to main box and maybe drywall. Seems like something I could do on my own with only a few cuts a scrapes. I am just concerned about getting the right amount of air back to the furnace, correct # of runs, etc.
     
  6. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,396
    Likes Received:
    5
    You're on it. Those are the main concerns. Remember filters.

    It gets complicated. Even a change from a 45 degree turn to a 90 degree turn changes the efficacy. It can be figured out thou.
     
  7. foodie

    foodie New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2005
    Messages:
    1,480
    Likes Received:
    3
    Madjake and others--

    My hubby is a "DIY-er" too. PM me the info; and I will pass it on. He is also an Electrical Engineer Manager and has wired our home we built years ago on our farm. He has assisted others by PM for other "DIY" jobs on this forum.:happygrin:

    Also, check out my posts on Bowman's Heating and Plumbing. Great and clean contractors. Bowman's HVAC also has a plumbing contracting business. Family business is local. Call Bowman's Heating for plumber info.

    Web site is below--

    www.bowmanheating.com (Bowman's Heating site/info.)

    You can also order HVAC parts from Bowman's online.:happygrin:

    Foodie
     

Share This Page