I'm tired of putting in 3 ac in each bedroom every summer and then taking them out. Two of the bedrooms have only 1 window so when an AC occupies them you cant open a the window on a nice day.

My plan is to put something in the attic to cool just the second floor. Currently the attic is very poorly insulated. The second floor is very hot in summer and cold in winter. I'm going to remove small amount of fiberglass insulation, safely (p100 mask and suit). Its a gable vented attic. I'm going to get the roof spray foamed and make the attic a conditioned space. ITs small but big enough tofit an AC system in it.

What do you think would be the best option. I'm considering a regular Central ducted ac system with ducts going to 3 bedrooms and a bathroom.

Or would something like a ducted mini split work up there? Don't need a multi zone system. Was thing a single unit with ducts going to the three bedrooms with the return coming from the hall way

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Not up on what is available out there or terminology. Reading about everything now and will hopefully have something up and ready by this summer.


thanks
Jay

 

Mini splits are ductless, But a mini spilt heat pump would be a good option for you.

 

Not all mini-splits are ductless. But all mini-splits are heat pumps. Perhaps there's been a change in the terminology since they were invented, I dunno.

I have a ductless one, and it pumps heat in both directions depending on the thermostat setting. It's great for my upstairs room which is adjacent to the attic, meaning hot in summer and cold in winter. And much more energy efficient than a traditional A/C.

Here's an article which may help:

https://www.achrnews.com/articles/13...idden-benefits

 

The house has hot water cast iron radiator heaters. Heating is good, won't really be using this at all for heating. I have access to my attic and though that would be the best area for installing some type of "central " ac system for my second floor

I thought my best options are

Option 1 : Have a typical old style HVAC system. Hang the blower unit from the roof joists, put ducting to each room, less than 10 ft runs. Have returns in each room or just a big return in the hallway. Install most of it myself and just have someone come in do the refrigerant part

Option 2: have a newer mini split style system. Could do 3 separate zones for each room but don't see the need for that, so for a single zone system I thought a ducted mini split unit would work best. Similar setup as option one, ducting going to the 3 bedrooms and a small duct to the bathroom. And have one main return in the hallway. All doors have an 1.5 inch gap at the back for return air to get back into the hallway.


From my understanding both options are basically the same set up just the ducted mini split one is a much more efficient unit and the outside compressor takes up less space and looks better.

 

Id put a 3 zone ductless in. If it is a large bathroom then just put a branch box and go with 4 units. Fujitsu and Mitsubishi would be the only units id look at.

 

efficiency, cost of installing, and easy installation is why I suggest ductless.

 

I'd stick with lennox. You might pay a little more but its worth it