I have a 3500 sq foot home (including basement), should I get another AC unit to cool upstairs?
Question:Here is the problem. It cools it ok upstairs in the bedroooms but not like I want it. The first floor and basement are exactly how I like it. Nice and Cool. I haven't finished 1 big room in the basement and another small room in basement. I'm affraid if I finish those and vent them the upstairs will be even less cool...Suggestions? Do I get a bigger AC unit outside or have to install a 2nd AC? How do they vent it to the upstairs vents when all the vents for the home are tied into the main unit? I'm confused as to what to do?
Answers:
try an attic fan to vent the hot air without drawing up the cold. also easier, cheaper, less energy waste
Hi,Decisions,Decisions.You should finish the basement,and see how the cooling up stairs is affected.You could close the vents to the basement at night thus forcing more cool air up stairs,see how that works.The basement will be cooler any way, due to being below ground level.You could add a light/fan combo to rooms upstairs.This will force cooler ceiling air down ward to help cool area.If you do not like results ,they have separate cooling units for up stairs.Good Luck.
the basement ain't gonna require a LOT of cooling
here is a trick . use a dehumidify er down in the basement to remove the humidity and that is all that may be needed
If after finishing your basement the upstairs is not cool enough you could try cutting back some of the vents in the lower floors to push air upstairs, you may not need to close off too much air, just enough so that the unit cooling stays on a little longer. If that does not work then you would probably have to increase the indoor and outdoor units with larger units and more capacity.
Depending on how your duct is run it may be hard to install a second unit for the upstairs.
it sounds like you have added more inside space for the old a/c to cool. if so what size is your air handler and condenser . average is 1 ton a/c per 500 sq feet of conditioned area sounds like you need 2 units or a 7 ton unit for the 3500 sq ft.
More Related Questions & Answers...