2nd Zone for Cape Cod

[capecomfort]

Seeing how helpful this site has been for others, I wanted to get some feedback regarding some differing estimates/ ideas I got from some very well respected HVAC contractors in the area.

I would like to put a 2nd zone on the 2nd floor of my cape cod that was build in the late 40's. As part of this process and overhaul, there is fresh insulation going in all around the second floor (R13 in the walls and R39 in the ceilings where space allows). The house is in northern NJ where is gets hot and very humid in the summers and relatively cold in the winters. The main level has central air and stays very comfortable during the year without much effort from the current unit (about 20 years old)

I got three estimates in the same price range. One suggested we put the unit the garage, another in some dead space off the hallway and third suggested converting a built-in space the behind the stairs into a utility closet for the unit. Each surely has its pros and cons (e.g. garage- away from sleeping people, but in an "unconditioned" space; utility closet- centrally located to make runs shorter but very close to bedrooms; dead space- more limitations on the size of the ducts, etc)

I am looking for some feedback regarding what would make the most sense. All are saying pretty much the same thing- 2 ton A/C and 75K BTU for the ~900 sf of space. I just want to do what makes the most sense from a safety and comfort perspective.

Thanks for any help/advice in advance!

[thehumid1]

Really not enough infofor anyone to respond to this --too many variables but being from Bergen county in NJ I can say this-- garage as long as u never put a car in there is ok. In Florida it is against code if the returen duct was not completetly sealed and you warmed up your car in the garage carbon monixide would be power vented into your home.

Without seeing your home there are so many options... Spacepak unico would be my first thoughtespecially because of their humidity removal ability... but mini-split/radiant floor heating another option if you already have a boiler...
But being a cape cod I would not waste your built in space for any unit....If you have an unfinished basement or at least space in a laundry room in one running the main duct trunk up through there usually can be accompliched and then less space used on the 2nd flr which on the 2nd flr of a Caper is always precious.

[capecomfort]

thehumid1,
thanks for the feedback and I am getting the impression that there are so many options out there. I am in bergen county as well.

While I would love to have radiant heat, there is no boiler in the house today. We dont park in the garage but I would imagine that someone else might want to park in the garage. I think the concern with the laundry room or other utility room is the additional duct work and effort/mess. I do like that idea though and will have to give it some thought.

I will do some research on the Spacepak and see if there are some people out there who install those systems.

Also, my dad keeps suggesting a heat pump. Do you think that would work in a cape?

[johnsp]

The 2nd floor never had heat? Any attic space to install equipment. I assume you have a gas furnace now in the basement tied into a chimney? Maybe run ductwork up that utility closet from basement to 2nd floor? Many options not enough info. A HP might be good for most of the year but I don't think it's enough on zero degree winter days with 2 feet of snow on the condenser. Duel fuel could be an option. You also have to see what the cost of electric is by you. Switching to electric strip heat could get expensive when the temps drop. You might not have the electrical service for this.

[capecomfort]

Currently have a gas furnace in the basement tied to the chimney.

The second floor was not really used. There were two ducts from the main furnace to the second floor, but it wasnt nearly enough to keep the space comfortable. One of those ducts was removed to make room for plumbing to the second floor.

Electricity is pretty expensive up here and I have some neighbors with electric strips; they got hit pretty hard last winter. Attic space is just too small tight unfortunately so I think the dead space off the hallway seems best.

This means running in ducts between the roof joists. I can extend the depth of the roof joists so that there about 9 inches of depth and 14 inches of width. Does that seem like enough to accommodate the required ductwork?