Need split unit configruation recommendation

[zuffy]

Hi, new here. I found this forum via Google :D

Anyway, I just bought a house, well pending the closing on 8/9. It's a 2 story brick house with a walkin basement, built in the 1950. The house is 18 x 35. I would like to cool the 2 bedrooms in the 2nd floor, the living/dining room and a studio in the basement. The bedrooms are approx. 10 x 14, 10 x 12; living/dining room is approx. 18 x 20 with open access to the kitchen and the stairway to the 2nd floor; basement studio is approx. 18 x 16.

I have narrow it down to buying a Fujitsu brand. I just need some recommendation on what is the best configuration for my need. Can I get away with the quad-zone unit or should I look into a 2 dual-zone units, or even a tri-zone and a single zone unit?

[makinmoney]

The first thing you have to do is a load calc on the house. Any reputable contractor WILL do this. Then you will know what all your options are.

There's alot more info that goes into a load calc then room sizes. Things like window sizes and amounts, insulation ratings, etc......

[zuffy]

What is a load calc? Is that a physical instrument a contractor uses to determine the load calc?

[makinmoney]

Physical in terms of gathering and putting in all info requested by the program. Don't let anyone just tell you that they have been doing this for years and your house needs this size!

If this happens tell them "No Thanks".

[zuffy]

Thanks for the quick responses makinmoney.

Just generally speaking, any rough estimate of what BTU I should expect at the minimum? I live in Brooklyn, NY so we get the full 4 seasons.

[makinmoney]

If I were to give you a rough Idea, it would be so far off because of what we talked about, and the other guys would pounce on me...espically DASH!

A system that's undersized will run forever and your utility bill will be thru the roof. A system that's oversized will not get you the humidity control, and your house will feel damp.

Get at least three contractors to give you estimates, and also ask for a copy of the load calc, then you will be able to make a decision.

Congrats on your house!

[zuffy]

I didn't know specing out cooling for a house is so scientific. I thought it's like the window mount AC, just get a decent unit for the room and let it cool :p Now I know how it feel when the business side ask us to spec out a server without knowing their requirement.