2nd floor furncace location

[aurorarob]

We are currently building a two story, ~3500 sq. ft. home. The home will have two furnaces/ACs/tstats. Due to a couple of changes made in our floorplan, the HVAC cannot be run up from the basement to the second floor (we ended up removing a 2x6 wall to create a loft), so it needs to be located on the 2nd floor somewhere.

The HVAC guys are just about ready to start with their work. I met with the HVAC sub and my builder last night to decide on furnace placement for the second zone. Unfortunately, it can't go in the small bonus room (where we were originally thinking) because of structural framing that won't allow him to run his trunks. Once that option was gone, they wanted to take over the main linen closet in the hallway, but we put the kibash on that.

We decided that taking some of the space out of two adjacent bedroom closets would be the best solution (see below). We have a couple of options:

1. Take equal space from each closet (2') and center the furnace closet. The door to the furnace closet will have an entry lock and be located in the back of the closet of BR4. Main concern about this option is noise into BR3. My builder said that they would sound-bat the walls in the new furnace closet. This will be a 92% eff furnace. Any idea if the noise will be an issue?

2. Other option is to only make the BR4 closet smaller, making the furnace closet only adjacent to the bathroom wall. Helps with the noise, but makes one closet smaller than the other.



Summary - do I need to worry about the noise if it is on the BR3 wall?

All comments/questions welcome.

Thanks - Rob

[johnsp]

Isn't there some attic space over one of the bedrooms? hy can't the furnace go there? You might need to drop down to a 80% for the attic unit. Where is this house located? Is a heat pump an option?

[aurorarob]

Thanks - yes, there is quite a bit of attic space. I was concerned about creating ice dams in the winter (Aurora, IL - far west burbs of Chi). As well as the inconvenience for maint. I'll have to ask the HVAC sub about the heat pump...my lack of knowledge prevents me from answering that one

Any thoughts on the noise aspect if it is located next to the bedroom wall?

[t527ed]

noise depends on unit used and ductwork. 90% v drive blower 2 stage will be the quietist if done right.

[johnsp]

While a 90%+ should be quite it does vary from manufacturer and how duct work and vents are positioned.

An 80% furnace in the attic won't have a cool exhaust and no condensation that might freeze. Plus you can hang from the roof trusses so there's more isolation from the rooms below.

If I had to use an upstairs closet, I'd go hydro-air with a boiler in the basement and just have an air handler with a hot water coil in the closet. Nothing quieter then that.

Sure more expensive but now one boiler can serve multiple air handlers. Also gives you the option of radiant floor heat for bathrooms and kitchens.

[aurorarob]

Thanks for all the feedback! This gives me good points for a follow up discussion with my builder and HVAC sub.