Further questions about mini duct system
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I am in the planning stages of a substantial residential addition. My existing house has forced air gas with elec a/c. The a/c unit is relatively new, the furnace is holding on for dear life. I intend to heat the new part as well as portions of the old with in-floor radiant. When I replace the gas furnace, I will get a higher efficiency unit. Now the question: For a/c in the new part I plan to use a mini-duct system. Would I be better served with a regular a/c unit or a heat pump for cooling and how much price difference am I looking at between the two?
In floor radiant and mini-duct are apparently foriegn terms in these parts.
gl
Work hard, play hard, sleep hard, wear glasses if you need ’em.
Replies
Grant,
Some questions:
How big is the existing house, where is it loacated, how big is the addition?
Are you planning on providing hot water to the radiant floor with a new boiler?
If you are going to buy a new furnace anyway, why not get one big enough to handle the addition? Or, get an air handler with a hot water coil, and heat the whole house with the new boiler (if you get one).
Why do you plan to use a mini-duct system in new construction? If access allows, a conventional system is more reasonable, costwise.
As far as the AC vs heat pump, if you have heat and only need AC, get an AC only unit.
Tim,
I've got about 1900 sq ft now - adding about 600. I'm in central KY. My initial plan is to use a gas HWH for the radiant heat. Most of the floor in the new area will be tile - New kitchen and master bath. I'm adding on to the end of the house furthest away from the existing furnace, probably 35 ft to where the addition starts. The existing furnace is vented to a masonry chimney. I guess if I use a high efficiency replacement furnace I can move it away from the existing location since I won't be tied to the existing flue. This would also add some needed space to my basement shop.
Thanks. You've got me re-thinking my plan.
gl
Work hard, play hard, sleep hard, wear glasses if you need 'em.
Edited 5/1/2002 4:40:38 PM ET by grantlogan