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Posted by DB on March 27, 2007, 4:32 pm
> Hey folks
>
> I live in the suburbs of Cleveland OH in a single-story, L-shaped ranch
> with hot water baseboard heating. As such, with no ductwork for forced-air
> ventilation, I have no central air conditioning.
>
> Because my attic allows easy access to the ceiling of virtually every room
> in the house, I've been soliciting estimates for the installation of a
> central AC system, which would basically be a compressor unit outside
> plumbed to a fan coil (air handler) unit in the attic with an insulated
> plenum that would feed insulated flex ducts to each room of the house.
> Most of the contractors have spec'd one large single 'return' in the main
> hallway, versus returns in each room, tho some have spec'd that as well.
>
> Anyway, that's all well and good, and the estimates are at least
> cosistent, coming in around $7-9K. However one of the contractors today
> threw out an option that I hadn't considered...he asked if I wanted a
> furnace up in the attic as well. The added cost would only be about $700
> (I already have gas lines up there).
>
> This is REALLY attractive to me, since I have little use for hot water
> baseboard heating (I know some folks LOVE it, but I'm sick of the
> maintenance, and just don't like the heat...takes too long to warm things
> up)
>
> Is there any down-side to putting a furnace in the attic? Will operating
> in the sub-freezing ambient attic temps for the majority of the heating
> cause the unit any extra wear and tear, or cost me more to heat?
>
> And for that matter, does the AC plan sound reasonable?
>
> Any thoughts at all would certainly be appreciated.
>
> Pete D
> Willoughby Hills OH
I wouldn't worry about it. We have one like you describe in a townhouse. It
works fine. It also beats having to go into a crawlspace under the house to
work on an air handler or duct work like in the house I actually live in.
About the only better option, maintenance wise, I can think of is a
dedicated room to put it in, the furnace anyway, and most houses don't have
the space. Also keep in mind the system will be insulated and installation
of equipment in un air conditioned space is the norm. It's designed to
operate under those conditions. One thing you might want to consider is
where they run the refrigerant line. It can make some noise like running
water if you are in close proximity to it. It isn't very loud but you might
not want it running up the wall behind your bed.
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