I get more quoutes, I have numbers for a 3rd floor system costing under 5k for a new heat/pump or upgrading the existing furnace
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HVAC Options? Have quotes.
Hello All-
I was looking for a little help with my HVAC decision for my HT and basement. I have received three quotes from 2 contractors and I am in a quandary as which choice to make. I live in the Philadelphia area and currently finishing a section of my basement for a family/bar room, a HT, a play room, and full bath. The finished area will measure roughly 1250 sq feet.
Here are the options right now:
Contractor #1: Provided me with two options:
1. Install a heat pump with two zones (one for the dedicated theater) at $8600 (14 seer, 1.5 ton American Standard)
2. Add two zones to the first floor gas furnace (again one for the dedicated theater) at $5600 .
Contractor #2: Provided me with one estimate and did the original install of my two furnaces during my build (1.5 years ago). He did not recommend option #2 above as he indicated that the unit was installed for the first floor. He stated that he would install a third gas furnace (2 ton, 13 seer York) for my house for the basement (single zone) at $7000 .
A few of my notes: I would lean toward contractor #1 option #2 (add two zones) as it creates less future hassle in my mind should the unit need to be replaced (replace one furnace instead of two down the road). However, he did say that he would be a bit concerned about dropping 2 tons of air into the HT quickly and mentioned about using oversized vents. Now I told him that this was going to be a office space for myself to avoid the “this guy is putting in a expensive HTâ€, I’ll show him with this estimate syndrome that I have read about. I thought that the quicker cool times would be a plus in a HT. Also, in my mind, it would me less time away from cooling/heating the first floor (my wifes biggest concern).
I thought that a new furnace install would run about $5000 but didn't expect numbers of $8000.
I can provide the specs on my 1st floor York gas furnace if necessary. Also, I have the unit numbers provided in both estimates if anyone is interested or a HVAC Pro is in our mists.
As always, many thanks to all those who assist here on AVS.
-T.Wells
I was looking for a little help with my HVAC decision for my HT and basement. I have received three quotes from 2 contractors and I am in a quandary as which choice to make. I live in the Philadelphia area and currently finishing a section of my basement for a family/bar room, a HT, a play room, and full bath. The finished area will measure roughly 1250 sq feet.
Here are the options right now:
Contractor #1: Provided me with two options:
1. Install a heat pump with two zones (one for the dedicated theater) at $8600 (14 seer, 1.5 ton American Standard)
2. Add two zones to the first floor gas furnace (again one for the dedicated theater) at $5600
.Contractor #2: Provided me with one estimate and did the original install of my two furnaces during my build (1.5 years ago). He did not recommend option #2 above as he indicated that the unit was installed for the first floor. He stated that he would install a third gas furnace (2 ton, 13 seer York) for my house for the basement (single zone) at $7000
.A few of my notes: I would lean toward contractor #1 option #2 (add two zones) as it creates less future hassle in my mind should the unit need to be replaced (replace one furnace instead of two down the road). However, he did say that he would be a bit concerned about dropping 2 tons of air into the HT quickly and mentioned about using oversized vents. Now I told him that this was going to be a office space for myself to avoid the “this guy is putting in a expensive HTâ€, I’ll show him with this estimate syndrome that I have read about. I thought that the quicker cool times would be a plus in a HT. Also, in my mind, it would me less time away from cooling/heating the first floor (my wifes biggest concern).
I thought that a new furnace install would run about $5000 but didn't expect numbers of $8000.
I can provide the specs on my 1st floor York gas furnace if necessary. Also, I have the unit numbers provided in both estimates if anyone is interested or a HVAC Pro is in our mists.
As always, many thanks to all those who assist here on AVS.
-T.Wells
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1 - 20 of 25 Posts
Forget the theater...show pictures of your train room.
Quote:
Thanks.
From top to bottom (4 total)
1. 1st Floor Return
2. 1st Floor Supply
3. 2nd Floor Return
4. 2nd Floor Supply
Sorry for the delayed response. We have a newborn that is taking up some of my time (well alot).
Thanks,
T.Wells
Update: I asked both contractors to move the ducts to the sides to create more headroom and a tray ceiling however, this really is not feasible.
| Originally Posted by uxbridge Wow, nice large basement. could you identify the four ducts please. |
From top to bottom (4 total)
1. 1st Floor Return
2. 1st Floor Supply
3. 2nd Floor Return
4. 2nd Floor Supply
Sorry for the delayed response. We have a newborn
that is taking up some of my time (well alot).Thanks,
T.Wells
Update: I asked both contractors to move the ducts to the sides to create more headroom and a tray ceiling however, this really is not feasible.
Quote:
Dennis,
I would be happy to share a few pictures of the room which will be re-located to this new space.
It is my father-in-law's train room. His area is about 3x what I have allowed for here. I had to negotiate for my HT room space. He is doing my construction and would have wanted the entire basement to be a dedicated train room. He actually gave me a couple of extra feet in the HT so the room is ~25' long. My wife is an only child and he wants to set-up his trains at our place eventually so we can enjoy them for many more years. He only runs Lionel O gauge. His current set-up runs a number of engines (in the teens). I would be happy to share a picture if you are interested (do you design train rooms as well?).
Can I possibly pick your brain on my current situation?
Thanks,
T.Wells
| Originally Posted by Dennis Erskine Forget the theater...show pictures of your train room. |
Dennis,
I would be happy to share a few pictures of the room which will be re-located to this new space.
It is my father-in-law's train room. His area is about 3x what I have allowed for here. I had to negotiate for my HT room space. He is doing my construction and would have wanted the entire basement to be a dedicated train room. He actually gave me a couple of extra feet in the HT so the room is ~25' long. My wife is an only child and he wants to set-up his trains at our place eventually so we can enjoy them for many more years. He only runs Lionel O gauge. His current set-up runs a number of engines (in the teens). I would be happy to share a picture if you are interested (do you design train rooms as well?).
Can I possibly pick your brain on my current situation?
Thanks,
T.Wells
Quote:
Congrats! I hope that everyone is in good health
Quote:
What is the problem? I would definately be relocating those ducts to the perimeter. they are going to cause head room problems for the rear row and the projector.
How cold does it get in the dead of winter where you are? I have been doing HVAC for 20 years and I have never seen a heat pump run in the A/C mode in the dead of winter, how will the contractor maintain the head (high) pressure side of the system. What will be the lowest outdoor temperature they will guarantee that your A/C will run at without freezing up the indoor coil.
I would suggest that you go with the zoning system. Make sure that the new main ductwork Supply and return are acoustically lined . (You don't want to be hearing Gomez Addams crashing his trains next door) You will need a condenser fan cycling control added to the outdoor A/C unit, this allows it to run down to 0 F. You might also need a larger compressor crankcase heater for cold weather starting and possibly a time delay to bypass the low pressure cut out switch if it has one. Make sure the main zone controller has a supply air temperature sensor that will shut down the heat or A/C if the temperatures get too hot or cold. Try to locate the bypass damper duct where it dumps into the return as far away as possible from the furnace. Don't forget to oversize the supply and return registers and to put in dedicated return ducts from your theater.
Bill
| We have a newborn that is taking up some of my time (well alot). |
Quote:
| I asked both contractors to move the ducts to the sides to create more headroom and a tray ceiling however, this really is not feasible. |
How cold does it get in the dead of winter where you are? I have been doing HVAC for 20 years and I have never seen a heat pump run in the A/C mode in the dead of winter, how will the contractor maintain the head (high) pressure side of the system. What will be the lowest outdoor temperature they will guarantee that your A/C will run at without freezing up the indoor coil.
I would suggest that you go with the zoning system. Make sure that the new main ductwork Supply and return are acoustically lined . (You don't want to be hearing Gomez Addams crashing his trains next door)
You will need a condenser fan cycling control added to the outdoor A/C unit, this allows it to run down to 0 F. You might also need a larger compressor crankcase heater for cold weather starting and possibly a time delay to bypass the low pressure cut out switch if it has one. Make sure the main zone controller has a supply air temperature sensor that will shut down the heat or A/C if the temperatures get too hot or cold. Try to locate the bypass damper duct where it dumps into the return as far away as possible from the furnace. Don't forget to oversize the supply and return registers and to put in dedicated return ducts from your theater.Bill
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
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