Art_Vandelay
Jan 20, 2010, 01:49 PM
I was wondering if anyone could provide recommendations for the problem I have. Five months from the time I bought my house five years ago, I found out that the master BR (which I later found out was an addon) only had an air handler for heat only. We bought the house in the winter so we didn't find this out until April (Hooray for wonderful house inspectors!). Anyway, to get by we have been using a portable A/C. We now want to try to get a better option considering we plan on moving in the next year and this may scare away potential buyers. Keep in mind that I can't get a window unit. I have crank windows so a unit wouldn't fit. I also can't get an inline unit. I don't have an area along an outside wall that would accommodate this. And finally I can't tie into the main system of the house. The room between the main part of the house and the BR does not have an attic. My Thought are
Buy a ductless mini split system (http://www.ductlessdepot.net/products-type-1.html). I can get a system for about $1,200. The problem is finding someone to install it as all the heating and air places I have talked only want to install their own systems which magically balloon the price to $4,000 (mind you this is just for one room). Also with the ductless system it wouldn't cool the bathroom since there is just the one vent.
Build off the air handler. I was told by a contractor that he could lift the air handler, add cooling lines to the unit and put a second condensing unit outside. It would cost about $3,200. Problem with this option is that is is using the old air handler which from my guess is as old as the addition (Build 1986).
Final option is just to get a smaller quieter portable AC and take the hit on the sale. The current unit is big and loud. Apparently they have gotten better in the five years since I purchased one. The reason this may be an option because at the cost of the better options, it may be better to take a hit on the price of the house.
The goal is to get something efficient without it sticking out . Any thoughts, comments, recommendations would be helpful. Thanks!
Buy a ductless mini split system (http://www.ductlessdepot.net/products-type-1.html). I can get a system for about $1,200. The problem is finding someone to install it as all the heating and air places I have talked only want to install their own systems which magically balloon the price to $4,000 (mind you this is just for one room). Also with the ductless system it wouldn't cool the bathroom since there is just the one vent.
Build off the air handler. I was told by a contractor that he could lift the air handler, add cooling lines to the unit and put a second condensing unit outside. It would cost about $3,200. Problem with this option is that is is using the old air handler which from my guess is as old as the addition (Build 1986).
Final option is just to get a smaller quieter portable AC and take the hit on the sale. The current unit is big and loud. Apparently they have gotten better in the five years since I purchased one. The reason this may be an option because at the cost of the better options, it may be better to take a hit on the price of the house.
The goal is to get something efficient without it sticking out . Any thoughts, comments, recommendations would be helpful. Thanks!