Just bought a house with heat only. Two floors, about 2500 sq ft, 4 bedrooms. House brick on bottom an stucco on top, built in 1941. Wife is worried that it may get too hot but we are a mile from the ocean (Santa Monica). Just found out we can’t use the same ducts the heating system uses. What are easier options? I’m thinking maybe just have it installed on the second floor unless it won’t mean damaging too much of the walls.
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High velocity a/c?
- Thread starter ymc226
- Start date
4xdog
Well-known member
I have a Unico mini-duct system in my 1937-built, hot-water heated, brick and stone house. Works well for almost the twenty years I've had it.
But the wall-mounted mini-splits have really made a lot of progress in recent years, and for a relatively low-humidity area like Santa Monica might be all you need.
But the wall-mounted mini-splits have really made a lot of progress in recent years, and for a relatively low-humidity area like Santa Monica might be all you need.
Unico and Spacepak are the two top brands. They are an option but are highly sensitive to proper lay-out and installation. When done correctly they are pretty quiet. Improperly done you will feel like you are living in a wind tunnel. If you go this way make sure you have a top guy do the install.
I would suggest a couple mini-splits. Do a multi head system for the BR's and adjoining areas and so with a high efficiency single for the LR, DR, Kitchen area...depending upon lay-out.
I would suggest a couple mini-splits. Do a multi head system for the BR's and adjoining areas and so with a high efficiency single for the LR, DR, Kitchen area...depending upon lay-out.
Why can't you use the same ducts ?
HV systems need to be done correctly ... in the strongest terms ... done correctly. They are not as efficient even done correctly as a ducted system .. but, they will do the job.
They are expensive done correctly
HV systems need to be done correctly ... in the strongest terms ... done correctly. They are not as efficient even done correctly as a ducted system .. but, they will do the job.
They are expensive done correctly
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Why can't you use the same ducts ?
Heating only ductwork is almost always undersized for the needs of cooling, so you can't add A/C without a tear out.
Tommy
Heating only ductwork is almost always undersized for the needs of cooling, so you can't add A/C without a tear out.
Tommy
That is possible .... But, modern VS equipment and zoning can often solve those problems if the basement is open for changes ... it's a great fix for undersized buried ductwork.
Too ban the OP did not give reason
Thanks all. I looked at the Mitsubishi mini-splits and they have a recessed ceiling unit that would be great. I never considered this option and it appears to me to be the best option.
I have two ceiling units on the second floor of my cape at the beach -- two large bedrooms with bath in the middle. We keep the doors open during the day when in use ... it's worked out well.
Be advised the wall units have the most versatility - the ceiling units and concealed work more like a typical system ... they still modulate -- but they don't have all the controls (eye) of the wall units.
I had no wall areas that worked ... due to the design of the roof line and windows.
I would suggest a process starting with a duct pressure test. Find out what you have now and what its condition is. In my home the duct system was so poor taht the very good equipment which supplied it couldn't operate properly. I tore it all out, and made a couple dump runs with it. I dined two closets and storage under the stairs. I don't think my situation is uncommon. It is very difficult to repair and properly seal old ductwork. If you do it, you end up with dirty old sealed ductwork that you are then going to throw modern equipment at.
I don't care for the ceiling cassettes. They work fine, but are difficult to clean and drain lines have to be spot on in them. The high wall units are best in operation and easiest to service. Frequently I have heard people say, "I can't have that on my wall." Then once they are in place they cannot believe how they got along without them and how comfortable they are an how efficiently they operate.
I don't care for the ceiling cassettes. They work fine, but are difficult to clean and drain lines have to be spot on in them. The high wall units are best in operation and easiest to service. Frequently I have heard people say, "I can't have that on my wall." Then once they are in place they cannot believe how they got along without them and how comfortable they are an how efficiently they operate.
fitter30
Well-known member
Minis are quiet, energy efficient and zoning. The minus parts might take a few days to get,
filters are thin, when they needing (inside units) it takes hours, chemicals and water (look at a you tube). With any system it's not so much the brand its the installers and what the contractor recommends.
filters are thin, when they needing (inside units) it takes hours, chemicals and water (look at a you tube). With any system it's not so much the brand its the installers and what the contractor recommends.