Trying to heat a second floor sun room addition

8 years ago

We are currently Remodeling this formerly very Bad Sun Room Addition. Originally the house called for a flat roof with a pretty railing. An owner in the 70's added a terrible addition with 11 (3 East, 5 South, 3 West) Storm Windows and a Shingled Mansard Roof.

So- having the quality Marvin windows installed instead of the Storm Windows will help, however prior to the new windows the room was- at best- a 3 season room We live in Milwaukee where winters are harsh and Spring is cold and long. We are wondering if, given the 4 sides of exposure to the outside and fact that the space was never intended on being part of the original home- Is it realistic to think we can efficiently heat the room and use it all year round? Would base board electric heat work? How about running a floor system (hydronic may work or electric) and installing a tile floor so we can crank it up?

Would love some advice? The room is attached to my daughters bedroom. It would make a great kids hang out space. Currently as the space is only available for a few months of the year we have not done anything with it.

Featured Answer

hvtech42

8 years ago

The mini split heat pump would be the most economical to run. Be sure to get a model with good low temperature heating performance. Mitsubishi H2i would be one example. You could also install electric baseboard as a backup/supplemental option.

Electric radiant floors is another option. Operating cost will always be higher with straight electric heat, but if you leave it off most of the time and only turn it on when you use the room, it could make sense.

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Comments (6)

dovetonsils
8 years ago
Do you know if there is insulation in that flat roof? My guess is that it would not be practical to try to make it a 4 season room, but of course any heat you could get in there could extend the usability.
energy_rater_la
8 years ago
wouldn't electric baseboard be outrageously expensive in operating costs?

a mini split heat pump might be a better option.

best of luck
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For What It's Worth, LLC
Original Author
8 years ago
I do not believe there is insulation in the roof. We did add as much insulation as possible under the new white paneling feature under the windows. I wonder if we did an electric floor pad (like you typically use in a bathroom) under ceramic or stone tile and then utilize the suggested split heat pump. I had never heard of those before. We have a guest room over our attached garage that could use additional heat as well. That system could probably service both areas. Its become such a beautiful room on the interior that I would love to remove the existing door and really pop open an arch and incorporate it into the entire bedroom ….. but don't want to freeze out my little 7 yr old!
mike_home
8 years ago
The heat pump would make the most sense. It is the most economical way to heat the area. This would allow you to cool the room in the summer. It must get very hot with all the south and west facing class, and a flat roof with no insulation.

Is the remodeling completed? It would be good to open up the ceiling and add spray foam insulation.
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Vith
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
No insulation in the roof makes changing out the windows a moot point in my opinion. All your heat is going out the top. If you plan on doing anything with the room, you better insulate the top. Closed cell spray foam is your only real solution here given the amount of space for insulation.

Baseboard electric is horrid, very inefficient. I had bought one of those free standing baseboard type electric heaters once, I had the idea it would be good because its quiet. I used it for a month and saw a big difference in my electric bill, and stopped using it.

What about the room underneath the sunroom? Isnt that cold also or is there insulation between the sunroom and the room below?

How much sq ft is the sunroom and what is the current heating in the house?
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Trying to heat a second floor sun room addition

hvtech42

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dovetonsils

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Trying to heat a second floor sun room addition

hvtech42

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dovetonsils

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Vith

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