Split Level Homes

[GordonGecko]

Hello,

Make you can help me out. I was told by an alleged HVAC "expert" that 90% of split level homes in the North East do not provide air conditioning to the grade level because cold air descends.

Is there any truth to that?

Thank you,

Jason

[Scottpat]

Originally posted by GordonGecko

Hello,

Make you can help me out. I was told by an alleged HVAC "expert" that 90% of split level homes in the North East do not provide air conditioning to the grade level because cold air descends.

Is there any truth to that?

Thank you,

Jason

Sounds like folklore to me. Yes, cold will go to a lower level but the airflow won't, unless it is ducted to the area.

[qhinspect]

Is this just an air handler with an outside condenser unit for cooling only?

Around here you see heat runs going to the upper and lower levels. Dampers (or in many cases) registers are installed to regulate the amount of air being supplied to these two levels.

For new construction where the lower level is not going to be finished off, most heating companies installed two to four heat runs for the lower level.

If only an air handler, I wouldn't know but I (as a home buyer) would like to know that there are no ducts supplying cool air to the lower level.

Don't forget that return air register(s) is/are needed for proper air circulation.

Proper heating and cooling always requires the proper amount of cooling/heating and proper air circulation.

[GordonGecko]

The HVAC "expert" states that the air flow is sufficient from the upper levels to down the stairs to the grade level and that is standard practice in the North East. No returns or central air supplied to vents on grade level.

The grade level is about 600 square feet and is on a cement slab all above ground. He claims the 8 x 10 vent from the living room near the stair well is sufficent to let air drop down the stairs to cool not only that section of the living room, but the entire grade level.

Are there any FACTS or manuals that state air flow/requirements for square footage regading c/a.

Thank you.

[ghentjr]

Originally posted by GordonGecko

Hello,

Make you can help me out. I was told by an alleged HVAC "expert" that 90% of split level homes in the North East do not provide air conditioning to the grade level because cold air descends.

Is there any truth to that?

Thank you,

Jason

First, it is the "partly below grade level" for a split. The lower level is generally 4' below grade.

Second, if the original heating system is a warm air system with no zone dampers then the addition of an A/C unit would condition all levels of the home.

Third, if it is a hydronic system which is the most common here, a retrofit A/C system will usually skip any ducting to the lower level for economics and also for the fact that the lower level usually stays cooler than the rest of the house.

I have a split with a retrofit A/C, no ducting to the lower level and we are always very comfortable.

Hope this helps.

[GordonGecko]

It is two zone heat and one zone c/a. The c/a only send air to the upper levels. No air is sent to the grade level. The grade level is 100% above ground and is level with the garage.

[Scottpat]

I guess it all depends on your location. In the South you would want the lower level to have air ducts and a return.

[Darren]

Is the house heated with hot water baseboard?

If so, the house had A/C added later and they found it difficult to get the ducts down to the slab level.

[kurt]

It can work just fine, or not, depending on multiple variables.

I see plenty of houses where just the 2nd fl. is cooled, and the lower floors are just fine.

Don't think it would work in the South, though.

[GordonGecko]

House is two zone forced hot air. There are vents on the grade level, but for hear only. The HVAC alleges a second unit is not needed because the cold air from upper levels will cool the grade level.

The unit is 13 years old and a 3 ton. The home is approx 2500 sq. ft.

[Darren]

Two furnaces?

Underfloor ducts?