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HVAC Units and Zones

11:04 AM 02/20/2013

 

cgowner

Is it possible for an HVAC unit to control multiple zones, or do you need one HVAC unit per zone? I am looking at a potential purchase of 3 story brownstone that would require a gut reno and would like to place HVAC units on the roof. I would like each floor to have its own zone. I am trying to keep the basement clear of all mechanicals, as future flood prevention.

 

 

Heating and Cooling
5 answers
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  • vote

    daveinbedstuy

    Bedford Stuyvesant, NY

    Yes, virtually all systems will operate with multiple zones.

    11:44 AM 02/20/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

    Comments (1)

    • cgowner

      Thx Dave. That's good to know. Was concerned about too many units on the roof.

      12:12 PM 02/20/2013

          

  • vote

    teacherbrooklyn

    NY

    we are renovating a 3 story brownstone and put in a Daikin Mini-Split system.  In this system, there is a big condenser on our room, and then we have 5 air handlers - two on each of the top two floors and one for the basement.  It is working great for us (however! - we have yet to get our first electric bill which I fear is going to be enormous - this is an all electric system for heating and cooling, and our mechanical engineer said in very cold weather it can be more expensive than gas.  Of course, the weather has been very cold of late).  Each is programmable so our house operates on five zones.  The air handlers are small enough that we fit them into a couple of dropped ceilings in our bathrooms, and this makes for minimal ductwork.

    12:27 PM 02/20/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    daveinbedstuy

    Bedford Stuyvesant, NY

    I'm installing a UNICO mini duct system with an auxiliary heating capacity.  I'm running it off of the boiler to supplement the baseboard heat when I arrive at the house after the thermostat has been turned down to below 50 for two weeks.  Electricity not only wouldn't provide that capability to heat the place up quickly but would be outrageously expensive.

    12:44 PM 02/20/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    cgowner

    The house is almost gutted; so running ductwork is not a problem at this point. The house has gas and I would prefer to stay with gas heat as I've had it before and I like the cleanliness of it as well as it being cheaper than electric. I just wasn't sure of whether I would need separate HVAC units for each zone. 
     
    The house I am currently in has 2 zones, each controlled by a separate HVAC unit. It works great. Many houses in the area flooded with Sandy and they had to replace their furnaces and hot water tanks. I'm looking to avoid a possible flood risk by not using the basement for mechanicals.

    12:57 PM 02/20/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    steam_man

    Carroll Gardens, NY

    cgowner,
    Yes. You may have multiple zones with a single split system. Bear in mind there is a certain amount of thinking that has to go into the design. Motorized dampers are what would be used to create zones. You should realize that the more control you put on your system, the more pricy it gets. Ductwork needs to be properly designed and the equipment itself adds cost. Good luck with your new home.
     
    As for not using the basement...you could always install a roof top unit, or split units on one or more floors.
     
    -S.

    8:30 PM 02/20/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

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