Hi all! Have gotten really great help in the Tank and Well Forum installing . . . well, a tank and a well. I see the HVAC forum is very active as well and so I'm hoping you can assist.
Situation:
I'm looking to finish a portion of my basement. New construction (2012), poured concrete foundation, propane fueled forced air HVAC in 2-zones. One for the first floor (heating unit in basement) and one for the 2d in the attic. AC units are outside (1 for each zone). Basement will be about 1,600sq ft. (although the heated portion is likely to be more like 1,200) currently has no heat or moisture control (other than a 70 pint portable dehumidifyer).
Options seem to be:
Thanks for any and all guidance!
Buczar
Situation:
I'm looking to finish a portion of my basement. New construction (2012), poured concrete foundation, propane fueled forced air HVAC in 2-zones. One for the first floor (heating unit in basement) and one for the 2d in the attic. AC units are outside (1 for each zone). Basement will be about 1,600sq ft. (although the heated portion is likely to be more like 1,200) currently has no heat or moisture control (other than a 70 pint portable dehumidifyer).
Options seem to be:
- Pull from the existing system.
This certainly seems the easiest, add a return, some dampers, run 4-5 vents from the center located main supply to the walls and voila. Conditoined basement.
But: Not its own zone / will be connected to 1st floor zone which would seem to cause 2-problems: 1 - inability to control the comfort level. and 2 - heating the space when we aren't using it.
But: Not its own zone / will be connected to 1st floor zone which would seem to cause 2-problems: 1 - inability to control the comfort level. and 2 - heating the space when we aren't using it.
- Add a pellet stove (or mybe a gas/propane stove) for radiant heat (augmented by a blower or the like of course, but you get the idea).
Seems to solve the local control issue as essntially the basement would be its own zone. Doesn't interfere with the efficiency of the heater supplying the first floor and since we only use it when we need it . . . we don't waste energy.
But: Need to plan-in the space for the heater. I'd assume it would take a fair amount of time to heat the space. It's not like you want to go down there 20-minutes before to get it warmed up all the time. And it will be more expensive to install (plus the hardware).
Some specific questions:But: Need to plan-in the space for the heater. I'd assume it would take a fair amount of time to heat the space. It's not like you want to go down there 20-minutes before to get it warmed up all the time. And it will be more expensive to install (plus the hardware).
- How much will adding on to the existing system really reduce the efficiency? The contractor I had here said 'it was fine' . . . . but with apologies, this is something I'd like to know with a bit more certainty.
- If I add to home system, do I add a whole-house dehumidifier to the first zone as well? Would seem to provide moisture control instead of AC when appropriate.
- If I use dampers . . . is it acceptable to entirely shut off the flow in those ducts? My resarch so far on dampers has been 'always leave them at least 1/3 open'.
- Are there such things as 'remote dampers' that might allow me to create sort of an artificial 'zone' (or is that just too much trouble).
- And maybe most important . . . what questions should I be asking? Are there alternatives I should be exploring?
Thanks for any and all guidance!
Buczar