Basic lesson in heating needed - tell it to me like I'm 3 :)

14 years ago

We are halfway into our 15'x23' kitchen/dining room addition and are just now considering our heating options. (I know I should wear a bag over my head by sharing this). We admittedly we overlooked this aspect. So now we need to get a sense of what our options are.

The rest of the house has forced air - our furnace is 5 years old. The problem is that getting the ducts to the new addition will be cumbersome, if not impossible due to not being able to run ducts through the headers. It would also max out the furnace capacity (we are going from 1500 sf to 2200 total sf). It's pretty clear that we will need an alternative heating source for the addition.

Below the kitchen addition, we also dug out a new family room in the basement (by cutting an opening into the existing basement). Thus the upstairs addition is 350 sf, and the basement addition is 350 sf. It seems that the 2 rooms have opposing needs; the kitchen gets great sunshine and we don't think we'll actually need to turn on the heater very often, while the basement will probably need a constant heat source in the winter.

So what are our options?

We live in Denver; the climate here is actually quite mild (compared to say, the Midwest), but the furnace runs most of the winter. We have a swamp cooler and don't desire air conditioning. Thanks so much!

Here is a link that might be useful:

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Comments (9)

bus_driver
14 years ago
The work probably will be done by a contractor and each of those will have their own suggestions. Your present furnace is oil, natural gas, propane? Would you be willing to devote space in the basement for heating apparatus? Do you have/need/want air conditioning for Summer cooling?
srercrcr
14 years ago
Denver mild? Stationed at Ft Carson, I remember doing training in 11 degrees and I-25 stopped dead in its tracks cause cars couldn't get up the hill near C Springs because of about 18 inches of snow. I'm just saying.
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mike_home
14 years ago
Peace,

Has a heat load calculation been done to verify your curent furnace does not have the capacity to handle the addition?

Your addition has a lot of windows. If you have southern exposure then it will be warm on a sunny day, but it is going to be cold at night. You will need an adequate supply of heat. On the other hand if your basement is mostly below grade, then the heating requirements will be very low.

Have an HVAC contractor do a Manual J load calculation. This will determine if a second heat source is required or not.
zl700
14 years ago
If ducts are difficult, the smallest furnace with 2-zones
sean_m
14 years ago
Baseboard heat (electric) is the easiest option and least expensive to install but most expensive to run.

I'd suggest taking a look at the Mitubishi mini-split heat pumps. Very good for retrofits. UNlike traditional heat pumps, when the temperature's down into the lower teens outside they'll still put out 65% of their maximum heat. Small, quiet, just about everything you could want. They even make systems where you can have 1 heat pump outside driving multiple units inside.
wisehvac
14 years ago
is radiant floor an option at all with using a tankless water heater. :)
peace_rose
Original Author
14 years ago
OP here...
bus_driver: Our current furnace is natural gas. I think we will have to devote some sort of space in the basement for a heating apparatus. I've been eyeing Electric Fireplaces, too - to supplement our secondary source (if that makes sense!) and because they look really cool. We don't want or need air conditioning.

srercrcr: I guess saying Denver is "mild" is a matter of perspective. I grew up in a climate where below zero for the entire winter was the norm. So Denver is mild to me :) but you have a point!

mike_home: Nope, no heat calculation done yet. Will follow up on the Manual J Calculation. Basement is entirely below grade - that surprises me that the heating requirement will be low. Thanks for the lesson.

sean_m: will take a look at the split heat pumps - what sort of heating is it?

wisehvac: We replaced the 50 gallon water heater last winter because it went out. DH really wanted a tankless. Maybe it's time to reconsider...

Thanks all - I'm learning a lot. Feel free to keep sharing, no matter how basic you think the advice is!
wisehvac
14 years ago
tankless heater will be devoted to the radiant only if you want to use it for domestic water and radiant you can do that. you will need a heat exchanger. thats all minimal and don't forget you will get $1,500 back from goverment on your taxes. just make sure the guy who installs is qualified in tankless. they are tricky but if you put the correct pumps and air scoops you will do just fine.:)
maryland_irisman
14 years ago
Like SRECRCR, I spent some time at Fort Carson. It also got quite hot there in summer even with lower hunidity. I think the mini-split SEANM suggests or other heat pump option might be a good idea. That might keep you from waking up with the "oh no's" like you are experiencing now.

Basic lesson in heating needed - tell it to me like I'm 3 :)

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Basic lesson in heating needed - tell it to me like I'm 3 :)

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