Does it cost more to air condition a home with vaulted ceilings in a warm climate?
Question:We live in Florida and are looking at a home to buy that has vaulted ceilings. There is a heat pump/air conditioner. The vents are in the ceiling. Is that more or less cost effective?
Answers:
Not as much for the air, as it is for heat. Because the cold air will fall, the higher celling does not have as much effect for the temp. If anything it takes the "hotest" air further away from you, making it feel even cooler in comparison. For the heat on the other hand, because the heat rises, you would be heating a lot of empty space. If it is in a hotter climate, heating the home may not even be an issue. One issue you will have is if the air is coming out of the celling, it will take more engery to pump the cool air up that much higher, assuming your compressor and all HVAC equipment is on the lower lever. One thing you may want to look into would be a mini duct system. The compressor and equipment can be installed in the attic, and require a lot less energy and is much more cost effective.
The higher the ceilings the more space there is to heat or cool the more it's going to cost.
Yes, get a ceiling fan
Yes, just as it will cost more to heat in colder climate.
Space is the key factor here.
ex: You will use less heat or air on 35x39 foot room without vaulting than than on a 30x30 foot room with vaulting
the vaulting is actually additional space, therefore it to will be heated/cooled with rest of the rooms.
If you've seen antebellum homes, you'd notice that the ceilings are very high. That was to keep the home cool since warm air rises. Vaulted ceilings will help keep you home cooler in the summer; however, it is harder to keep warm during the winter. With the vents being that high up, the warm air coming out of the vents will stay at the ceiling. I think that being in Florida, you don't have to worry too much about cold winters though. :)
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