Rheia Installation Case Studies
Our innovative air distribution systems are creating more comfortable, more efficient living environments in homes across the country. Learn more about how Rheia is revolutionizing the industry with these case studies.
Baltimore, MD
1,575 sq. ft., three-story end unit.
The builder observed installation time savings of almost 50% versus the conventional system, and this decreased further with subsequent installations.
In addition, the pilot home achieved 3.2 deg. F in heating mode and 3.4 deg. F in cooling mode during the monitoring period.
ACCA standard 5 allows no more than 25 CFM or 20% difference per duct versus the Manual J design estimates. This home measured an average per duct CFM delta of 7.1.
The home passed the Energy Star duct leakage test with a score of 2.8 cfm per 100 sq.ft
Indianapolis, IN
3,179 sq. ft., two-story single-family home with a slab-on-grade foundation.
The builder observed installation time savings of almost 30% versus the conventional system.
In addition, the pilot home achieved 3.4 deg. F in heating mode and 4.2 deg. F in cooling mode during the monitoring period.
ACCA standard 5 allows no more than 25 CFM or 20% difference per duct versus the Manual J design estimates. This home measured an average per duct CFM delta of 6.0.
The home passed the Energy Star duct leakage test with a score of 1.2 cfm per 100 sq.ft
Woodburn, OR
2,230 sq. ft., two-story single-family home with a slab-on-grade foundation.
Installation time savings of a half day was observed versus the conventional system installation.
Airflows measured an average 3.2 CFM delta for the installed ducts at commissioning. ACCA standard 5 allows no more than 25 CFM or 20% difference per duct versus the Manual J design estimates.
ACCA Manual RS specifies the maximum acceptable room-to-room temperature difference as 4 degrees F for heating and 6 degrees F for cooling. This pilot home achieved an average of 3.5 deg.F in heating mode and 4.4 deg. F in cooling mode during the monitoring period.
Minneapolis, MN
2,142 sq. ft., three-story townhomes
Prior to utilizing Rheia, installation crews were installing conventional air duct systems that consisted of sheet metal and flex. Those installations had a combination of ductwork in and out of conditioned space. A typical installation was a three-day process using a two-man crew. With Rheia installation time was reduced by 33% and the install was completed in two days, using the same crew. As an added value Rheia was able to get all ductwork within conditioned space with no additional costs or changes in building construction.
On a recent winter day that had an outside temperature of -17 and -38 degree with windchill, Rheia performed beautifully. The indoor temperature on the first floor was 71 degrees and the second floor was 72 degrees. The home was quiet and comfortable.
In addition, Sabre was able to lower installation costs on this plan. After the success at Orchard Place, Pulte Homes switched to Rheia in twelve townhome communities in the Minneapolis area.
Pittsburgh, PA
Townhomes with garage under living space and mechanical room in garage.
There was an installation time savings of 45% when compared to conventional which took 126 hours (versus 90 hours with Rheia).
ACCA Manual RS specifies the maximum acceptable room-to-room temperature difference as 4 degrees F for heating and 6 degrees F for cooling. The pilot home achieved 1.9 deg. F in heating mode and 2.2 deg. F in cooling mode during the monitoring period.
ACCA standard 5 allows no more than 25 CFM or 20% difference per duct versus the Manual J design estimates.
Syracuse, UT
Singe family homes in a build-to-rent community.
The 3” Rheia ducts easily fit through the openings of the girder trusses with no pinching and no need for mastic, tape and panduit straps to connect the duct connections. Using a six-man crew the contractor, Royal HVAC, was able to install the Rheia air distribution ducts in four hours (including training time) as compared to conventional air distribution ducts which took 10 hours using six men. A 60% reduction in installation time.
After the pilot, Rheia will be installed in the remaining 25 homes at the Fields. American Homes For Rent is working towards converting Rheia in all their upcoming communities. The contractor has indicated they would prefer to use Rheia on all their projects.
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Measurable Results
The results from these pilot case studies illustrate the value Rheia brings to builders and contractors when it comes to efficiencies in the building process. Homeowners also reap the benefits from more regulated temperature controls and well balanced homes.
Reducing installation times
Rheia’s snap-fit simplicity allows technicians to install a system up to 50% faster than the time it takes to install a conventional system in the same home.
|
Southeast 2470 sq ft |
Northeast 1575 sq ft |
Mid-Atlantic 3179 sq ft |
Mid-West 3200 sq ft |
Northwest 2300 sq ft |
|
|
Conventional installation time (typical) |
12 |
8 |
24 |
32 |
20 |
|
Rheia installation time (total) |
9 |
5 |
16 |
24 |
8 |
|
Time savings versus conventional installation |
3 hrs / 25% |
3 hrs / 38% |
8 hrs / 33% |
8 hrs / 25% |
12 hrs / 60% |
Performance that exceeds standards
Sample monitoring results from Rheia’s pilot homes indicate the Rheia system achieved room-to-room temperature deltas that exceeded ACCA recommendations of 4 degrees Fahrenheit in heating mode and 6 degrees Fahrenheit in cooling mode.
Southeast | Northeast | Mid-Atlantic | Mid-West | Northwest | |
Average temperature delta room-to-room in heating mode (deg.F) | N/A | 3.2 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 3.5 |
Average temperature delta room-to-room in cooling mode (deg.F) | 3.1 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
Outperforms conventional systems
When compared side-by-side to a conventional system distributing air across the same floor plan in the same location, Rheia consistently outperformed recommended room-to-room temperature deltas — resulting in a more comfortable environment.
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Southeast |
Northeast |
Mid-West |
|
|
Conventional system average room-to-room temperature delta (deg.F) |
3.9 |
5.4 |
5.0 |
|
Rheia system average room-to-room temperature delta (deg.F) |
3.1 |
3.8 |
3.6 |
RHEIA INTRODUCTION VIDEO
Take a few minutes to watch our intro video. It provides an overview of the installation process and balancing with our Rheia Verify App.
