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We have a 1920s house with the standard hvac in the basement and then ducted only to the first and second floor. It's an old house so that means we have a 5-7degree difference on second floor compared to the first floor. From the months of May - October, we use a combination of fans and window units on that second foor.
We have about 900sqft of a basement that is partially finished and we are looking at doing a total basement remodel for more living space, entertainment, and a small office. However, the basement is not heated or cooled and we will need to get that conditioned. Also, the constant drone of the air handler and blower is a nuisance and sometimes takes the enjoyment out of watching TV and/or reading in the basement.
Since we are going for a total basement remodel anyways, can we remove the entire hvac system and go with a ductless system for the whole house? Goal is to lessen the hvac noise, reclaim more space where the hvac used to be, clean up the basement ceilings for other usage, get better temp control in the second floor and basement area, etc.
A new ducted system accommodating the remodel - including things like zoned sensing and control - would be more cost-effective in the long run. Splits are for the narrow range of installations where ducting is difficult or impossible but something more than single local (window or wall) units are wanted. I wouldn't use them as a general solution or in a remodel where a more efficient solution could be implemented, even though there's been heavy promotion of them in recent years.
If you are going to make big changes, why not put the air handler in the attic, or a vertical one in a hall closet? If you already have ductwork running between first and second floor, you ought to be able to make that work.
Don't forget that with split systems you have that big evaporator/fan unit hanging on the wall, whereas with a regular duct system you just have the diffuser on the ceiling.
If you are going to make big changes, why not put the air handler in the attic, or a vertical one in a hall closet? If you already have ductwork running between first and second floor, you ought to be able to make that work.
I think a good ducted system serving the needs of the remodeled interior well would be a comfort if you keep the house and a selling point if you don't - I know that I kind of winced when I walked into a house to see split units hulking on the inside walls.
When the heat is on, do you shut off/close the ducts on the upper floor? That will direct more of the heat to the first floor. When using air conditioning in summer, open the upstairs vents and close the first floor vents.
You could enclose the current HVAC system in the basement - build a little room around it -- and put sound proofing material in that room to deaden the noise. Be sure you don't block off the return air to the furnace.
Is the current system powerful enough to run a few more ducts from it to heat and cool the basement? Just offering some other options here.
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I know but...this is going to come after our decision whether we are going to stay in this house or move. Decisions decisions....
