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Posted by Warm Worm on May 7, 2007, 4:19 pm
> MiamiCuse wrote:
> > I am trying to figure out how I can cool my living room.
>
> > The living room is about 35' x 20', it has a A-framed roof with a vault
> > ceiling. That looks like this:
>
> >http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w67/143house/family%20room/M994684...
>
> > This room is very hot due to the fact that it has three sets of glass doors
> > that opens to the pool, and there is only one AC vent from one wall. I
> > think I need to add a few ceiling fans as well as a few additional ac vents.
>
> > I think it is logical to hang the ceiling fans off the middle beam that runs
> > across the room.
>
> > But how do I go about adding vents? I think there is no solution but to
> > construct some sort of a exposed duct work right? I am not sure it would
> > look right though. Any thoughts?
>
> > Yes, carpets and drapes and wood paneling WILL go, soon.
If you're going to use uncolored aluminum venetians, or even the
modern woodens or these "fabric" ones (that slide up instead of down),
they might go well with an exposed oversized metal duct with stylish
downward-pointing circular vents and make the space look more
contemporary and feel more relaxed.
> Adding vents would assuredly require upsizing the system. Reworking
> an old system, running duct, trying to hide the duct...I don't see
> it.
Yes, it seems a little problematic, and why work with something you
want to change in other ways anyway?
> It might work if you have an older AC unit. There are rebates
> from the utility companies for upgrading to a higher SEER unit.
>
> Look into mini split ACs. They're easy to install, flexible, and
> could be used to supplement the existing system as needed. Some of
> the newer interior units, the wall hung part, are about 24" square and
> project from the wall about five inches. You could hide it with a
> picture if it bothered you.
I wonder how sexy they are though. Who says ventilation can't be sexy?
> If there's no insulation above that wood ceiling, and I'm sure there's
> not, you really can't cool that room adequately with AC alone. The
> radiant heat from the ceiling would make you uncomfortable even if the
> air temperature at people level was acceptable.
Which makes sense to insulate the ceiling and drywall it. I'm curious
about the rooftop, too, because I hear they can contribute a fair
degree to heating the inside, depending on the color and materials,
and also heard of people somehow making them a lighter color for less
radiation absorption.
> Those clerestory windows should certainly be utilized. Swapping out
> the handles for hooks so you can use an extension wand is a no-
> brainer. They also make retrofit motorized operators that can be
> ganged together. Push a button they all open or close. That would
> take advantage of the natural chimney effect of the cathedral ceiling
> and might allow you to reduce your AC bill substantially.
Most definitely.
> It's not an either/or proposition. I think you'd need to use both AC,
> added insulation and the clerestories whenever possible to make it
> work.
I wonder if the chimeny, itself, could somehow be repurposed for AC,
too. I mean, it's yet another route out for air.
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