Installlation Problem

Joe Constable

Joe, please ask this on the Wall at www.heatinghelp.com. You’ll get a wider range of options there, and others will learn. It’s how our online community grows. Thanks. Dan
Dan Holohan - Dan Holohan Associates, Inc. -
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From: Cnsjjc@aol.com [mailto:Cnsjjc@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:38 AM
To: mailroom@heatinghelp.com
Subject: Heating Problem

What would you do to economically heat and A/C a full-basement house in which it is impossible (or at least impractical) to get ductwork to the second floor? We can easily provide oil furnace heat and A/C for the first floor, but not the second. Are electric heat storage units a viable candidate? Electric space heaters? Outdoor installation of a wood/coal burning unit? Would appreciate any suggestions ..... Joe C.

Joe Constable

Heating Problem

Joe, please ask this on the Wall at www.heatinghelp.com. You’ll get a wider range of options there, and others will learn. It’s how our online community grows. Thanks. Dan
Dan Holohan - Dan Holohan Associates, Inc. -
------------------------------------------------------------
From: Cnsjjc@aol.com [mailto:Cnsjjc@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 11:38 AM
To: mailroom@heatinghelp.com
Subject: Heating Problem

What would you do to economically heat and A/C a full-basement house in which it is impossible (or at least impractical) to get ductwork to the second floor? We can easily provide oil furnace heat and A/C for the first floor, but not the second. Are electric heat storage units a viable candidate? Electric space heaters? Outdoor installation of a wood/coal burning unit? Would appreciate any suggestions ..... Joe C.

Big Ed

Options

A oil boiler would be the best way go and the most economical in the long run for heat . You will have choices as far a radiation and zoning ... Then install a AC in the attic..You could not pump up cool above the first floor unless you install a Hi V system .They use small duct and are the answer for problem jobs.They work well and the only down fall is that it cost more...

If gas is avalible.... A gas furnace / AC in the attic and oil or gas furnace/ in basement would work..Oil could go in the attic too but you would need a lift pump to deliver the oil supply..

Depends on your location and type of home for other options..

Heat pump work well down to 40* outside temperature....

David Sutton_6

hydro-coils

Hi Joe, Have you thought about hydro coils ? One in the attic and one in the basement, with hydro coils the air will not be as dry as with a standard furnace, two zone A/C, and with a boiler you have the options for domestic water and future radiant zones,nice warm bathroom and kitchen floors, maybe some baseboard in the celler for a kids playroom, good luck , stay warm



David

Jed_2

Joe C.

The simplest and most economical application in your case, in my estimation, would be a ductless mini-split system. Sanyo, Mitshubishi, et. al. are available and are high efficiency, quiet units. Sanyo units allow up to four indoor cooling units. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Jed

Mike T., Swampeast MO

While ducts are big, pipes are small. What is practically impossible with forced can be quite simple (in relative terms) via hydronic heat. Nicely designed one-pipe loop(s) using fin baseboard emitters are easy on the wallet and provide very good comfort and efficiency.

If this is a true two-floor (not 1 1/2 floors) a single A/C system installed in the attic can do a surprising good job of cooling the downstairs as well provided the ground floor plan is quite open and there is at least one permanently open staircase going up to the 2nd floor. Such even works quite well here in Swampeast MO with our hideous summer weather. The kitchen is a common trouble spot, but a "window shaker" can be used as a last resort.

Unless electricity is extremely inexpensive in your area, it will be the most expensive way to heat.

If only bedrooms and a single bath upstairs, an electric space heater in the bath and electric blankets in the bedrooms will work, but I'd put such very low on the comfort scale--that's how I grew up. With the downstairs thermostats set to 55 at night you got dressed VERY fast on winter mornings...