brownstone AC
what are my options for air conditioning a brownstone, other than window or wall units (which I really hate)? Would love any insight, advice, etc. Thanks!
what are my options for air conditioning a brownstone, other than window or wall units (which I really hate)? Would love any insight, advice, etc.
Thanks!
Get a green roof guys! I put in a homemade one for my roof and we did not have to use the window A/C till mid-July. And the roof is not yet fully grown. So far we have used it less than 7 nights. The top floors heat up much less when the roof is covered with cooling vegetation.
Sure I’ll change no minds, but consider:
You need a/c for what? 6 weeks. Installing central a/c would be 15k+. Running it would be much more expensive than window units used intelligently (eg; only bedroom units at night) unless you pay even more for zoned central.
Finally: global warming/energy use. Central a/c is one major reason we in the US are so profligate.
OT: Maybe there’s a business opportunity here to create cool-looking window units.
I tend to think either do the window units or go with a spacepak type system. Mr. Slim seems obtrusive and unattractive, imo, for the money involved.
Hello 9:10, can you tell me who installed your SpacePak system? I can’t find anyone who knows anything about mini duct systems. Thanks
Mr. Slim is a DUCTLESS AC system that represents a compromise of sorts between window units and central AC. It is more powerful that window units, and can be used to cool different zones. (you can also get combination units that heat and cool.) The compressor is set outdoors on a roof or wall. A small ( 3 inch) hole is made in the wall to allow for the transfer of coolant. Another, even smaller hole must be made to allow for draining of condensation (not sure if this can be routed through the same hole). You then have an interior unit mounted high on the wall or ceiling. (Drawback: it needs to be mounted in a place where it can drain to the outside.) If you don’t mind using window or wall units, then by all means go ahead. If you do mind – I do, for instance – and you do not have existing ductwork, this is a practical way to increase your AC capacity at a relatively low cost. If you have airducts already, then a central AC compressor makes the most sense.
Depending on the size you need, a mr. slim costs about $1500 to $2K for the equipment, and as much again for the installation (minimum). I would budget about $4K for it and hope to stay under that if possible. (Your installation costs can vary greatly depending on whether you have enough space in your electric panel and 220 voltage for the larger units.) Installing central AC without existing ductwork would easily cost four times as much.
5:15, its 4:41 here. I do know what a mr. slim is (pictured here: http://www.mehvac.com/UploadedFiles/ProductCategory/mrslim04.jpg ). I find cutting a giant hole in the wall and to have to see this huge unit everyday to much more unattractive than the a window unit. If they can be hidden behind a grate, that would be much better but Ive never seen them installed that way.
More importantly, I dont understand how mr. slim gets considered central a/c. Its not central at all. And it requires that the rooms be open to each other in order to cool. So if I have one of these, its just like having a big window unit…the only area that gets cooled are the ones that have these units.
I suppose to each his own but I cringe everytime I go into a gorgeous brownstone and see one of these in the living room. They seem a good idea for commericial installations but they are quite intrusive looking (in my opinion of course) in residential.
we put space pak in the first two floors of our brownstone (we rent the lower floor) and a conventional system in the top floor. You can call an air conditioner person who does space pak installation (many do not know how to do it) and get info and an estimate. The reason to put a different system on the top floor for us was that it gets hotter up there, and there was no ductwork needed. Space pak is a great system that is energy efficient as it takes humidity out of the air requiring less need for cool air, it is quiet, comfortable and clean.
What about installing central A/C?
Isn’t that the best way to go?
Especially if you have existing ductwork due to the heatng system being forced air?
Thank you, 4:41! I’ll never understand why it’s such a big deal to have a few window units for a few months. I’ve hardly even used mine this year because it’s been pretty cool.