What options if any? hvac is going to be problem

Hey all, I have had my studio in my house for the last few yrs and now I finally found a space that I can afford and maintain without breaking the bank. So its time to move out but I need to do some construction to the new spot to moving anything in. First problem that I need to get cleared up before I can even move onto the next step. The space is 20' x 30' possibly bigger not sure yet waiting for the present tenent to move out. What I did notice was there is no duct work for hvac, just a wall AC unit. When I walked the place was very cool to my suprise. But here is the deliema, I want to take a design from the SAE site Corner Control Room and try to incorporate into this space, but how can I get AC to the seperate rooms? I think this is going to be one of my bigger nightmares. If anyone has any ideals please send them my way. Thanks Eddie

I suggest as a first step you purchase Rod Gervais' excellent book on studio construction. It will answer a lot of your questions. In my studio, I used duct board for the plenums (sp?), and flex duct to get from that to the registers in the rooms. I have since been advised that flex duct is NOT the way to go if you can use duct board all the way (in my case, I couldn't). I also have "balanced" sends and returns. In other words, I have one return vent for every supply vent in the same room. Most houses I've seen have supply vents all over the house and then one big return vent near the air handler. If your rooms are sealed from each other, you obviously can't do this because the air will never circulate. len

len-morgan wrote:

I suggest as a first step you purchase Rod Gervais' If your rooms are sealed from each other, you obviously can't do this because the air will never circulate. len

Ok, let me go a little deeper.....this is a older commercial building (near downtown Cincinnati). The space I plan on renting is on the second floor, and it appears the only thing cooling this room is a Wall ac unit on the external wall. This is where my problem lies...if I have sealed rooms, which I would like to do this right for isolation of each of the rooms (3). How can I get hvac to these rooms? Ive read about the mini splits but these appear to be for one room only. Im sure I cant be the only one going this but thru searching I havent really found a definative answer. Hopefully someone has gone thru this and provide some insite on whats the best way to overcome this small problem.

FYI, they do make mini split systems that run three units in three separate rooms, all off of one outside unit. They're expensive though. And then you'll need to account for a fresh air system as well, such as a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV). --Keith :mrgreen:

sharward wrote:

FYI, they do make mini split systems that run three units in three separate rooms, all off of one outside unit. They're expensive though. And then you'll need to account for a fresh air system as well, such as a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV). --Keith :mrgreen:

Do you have a link and how expensive? Ive seen you comment on several of the threads that involve mini splits. So are you in the same situation or what would you suggest? Have you found something that works? Thanks for the replies Eddie

I think your FIRST problem is going to be keeping your noise out of the first floor below you. Also, any kind of A/C system like a mini-split, is going to take a compressor unit of some kind OUTSIDE of your space. I'm not sure if any of the mini-splits would let you run the small duct that far - at least not uninsulated. len

len-morgan wrote:

I think your FIRST problem is going to be keeping your noise out of the first floor below you. Also, any kind of A/C system like a mini-split, is going to take a compressor unit of some kind OUTSIDE of your space. I'm not sure if any of the mini-splits would let you run the small duct that far - at least not uninsulated. len

Hey thanks len for the reply, As far as the first floor, it is not occupied only storage space. No one to worry about down below:). Here is what I was thinking.....I wouldnt want to put any type of compressor at ground level..believe it or not mainly because of theft. I was thinking of some kind of heavy duty platform mounted on the outside exterior wall of the 2nd floor. Before moving to Cincinnati, I lived in Detroit. I have seen people stealing aluminum siding off of houses when people where at work. So, I dont trust putting a unit like that at ground level, especially in a industrial area at night. As far as the distance of the hoses from the unit itself is 45'.....would be a close call. Again my space is will probably be around 25' x 35' so it could realistically make it. Eddie

len-morgan wrote:

. . . any kind of A/C system like a mini-split, is going to take a compressor unit of some kind OUTSIDE of your space. I'm not sure if any of the mini-splits would let you run the small duct that far - at least not uninsulated.

Mini splits are also called "ductless mini splits," so I'm not sure what "ducts" you're talking about, Len... Perhaps you're referring to the refrigerant lines, which are insulated and can run typically up to about 50 feet between outer and inner units. And, yes, the outside unit must truly be outside. Check out the "Is this overkill? Studio AC wiring layout" thread and read it through all the way to the end to see a combination mini split and HRV solution in operation. --Keith :mrgreen:

The small "split" units that I'd seen discussed here had a 4" flexible plastic duct between the inside and outside units. The "mini-splits" you seem to be describing sound like a regular A/C unit that's maybe just a little smaller than what I have on my house. len