Heat Loss & Staircases

Steamhead

had large radiators at the bottoms of stairways to kill those cold downdrafts. I'd calc the stairway and the enclosed porch together and place a radiator on the enclosed porch sized to the result.

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

I'm working on a heat loss for an attic apartment that has recently undergone a dormer "explosion."

It's not fun but I can deal with the absurdely complicated mix of ceilings and walls but the stairwells...

Two open stairwells in the same space for heat loss/gain calculations. One isn't too bad but the other leads into UNCONDITIONED above grade space (rear porch that has been enclosed)!!!! Despite my objections about this, the person paying the bill insists on this construction. Something about current downstairs renters renting upstairs as well and not wanting them to have to go outside (just through the old porch) to access the upstairs.

Believe I'll just consider the lower porch area as part of the space for heat GAIN as cool air is going to be barrelling down that stairwell and that space will likely end up the coolest in the entire space.

But the heat loss??? It's going to be a crazy drafty thing. Any guesses on how to compensate?

I'm using HVAC-Calc Residential.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Wish that it were hydronic...

...it's not.

No way to get ducts down there...

I'm just doing sizing/general design. At least I have them convinced to use hi/lo returns.

Wayco Wayne

I've used

electric wall heaters at the bottom of stairs like that. Graingers has many types in their catolog. WW

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