HVAC in the attic?

[Bird]

Has anyone had any experience with having HVAC equipment (evaporator, blow motor, etc.) in the attic of their home instead of in a closet at floor level? Any pros and cons would be appreciated. In the past, I can only remember talking to one person who had that arrangement and he said they had massive damage once from the condensation drain stopping up and water in the attic that he didn't know about until a lot of damage had been done.

 

[Jeff396]

Hi Bird,

We've had one for 4 years now and haven't had a problem. The unit sits in a drain pan to catch any liquid that comes out where is't not supposed to. The pan is about 3" deep. In addition, there is a switch mounted on the edge of the pan with a float that will shut the whole thing down should any significant amount of water get into the pan. That's how it's supposed to work theoretically anyways but I suppose things can malfunction and then look out We also have our water heater in the attic and it sits in a pan too. That's the one that worries me as I've had them leak where they will spray water and not just drip it.

Jeff

 

[SimS]

Bird;
HVAC units in the attic are very common here in Georgia. You have already figured out the number one problem. Condenstation drain issues. Some installers are now putting a drain pan, with separate drain piping, under the unit in case the primary drain gets clogged. The only way to be sure is to have regular preventive maintenance. Another issue may be noise. I have seen units suspended from roof rafters to isolate any noise or vibration from the living spaces. Check with your installer to get his installation techniques. Good luck.

Sim

 

[Junkman]

The drains clogging is a result of poor maintenance. Mold will grow in the drain lines and if not cleaned once a year will clog the line and result in back ups. Had this problem once on a roof top mounted HVAC unit and after that, learned that it is less expensive to have the unit serviced every spring before going into service. When PineRidge gets his lazy body out of bed, I am sure that he will comment further, since he was in the HVAC business in his younger days... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ByronBob]

Forgive me, but why not leave the unit outside? All units here in NY are outside.

 

[BB_TX]

My son has his in the attic. He has had no problems, but the house is only about 5 yrs old. From what I have seen, the attic for HVAC seems to be the trend now in new homes.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Forgive me, but why not leave the unit outside? All units here in NY are outside. )</font>

Bob,

I think the the setup Bird is referring to is where the compressor (A/C unit or heat pump) sits outside but all the air handling equipment is in the attic as opposed to basement or first floor.

Bird,

I believe this is a very common practice in Florida. My neighbor up the road (in PA) just did the same thing as well.

Junk,

I was told to dump bleach into the drain line once a year to avoid this problem. I did have the problem in the past. The best way I found to clear it is to put a shop vac at the end (away from the air handler) and just suck all the water and slime out. It works well.

Brian

 

[Junkman]

What Bird is referring to is the "A" coil that the air flows over for cooling. The outside unit, the condenser, is still mounted on a pad on the outside. If you have central air conditioning, HVAC, (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) the "A" coil is usually mounted in the ductwork on the furnace. Today many units are made that are separate from the furnace and are located in the attic, since cold air is heavier than warm air. The heat comes from the floor and the A/C ducts are in the ceiling. These units have their own blower known as a air handler. Junk.

 

[BB_TX]

Speaking of air conditioners. Saw part of a story on the evening news last night about them. Apparently beginning the first of next year, new ac units have to meet a much higher energy efficiency factor and the cost will double. Current units can only be manufactured/installed until the end of the year. Don't know if that was just Texas or national.

 

[Junkman]

Here is an article explaining it from the Detroit Free Press It is a Federal Mandate of efficiency...

 

[gsxr1100]

Bleach??? On the drip pan (plastic or metal) under A-coil or in the drain line pump? I put bleach in the condensate pump or use the tablets that they sell.

 

[gsxr1100]

bad link junk....

 

[BB_TX]

Here <font color="blue"> is one. </font>

 

[gsxr1100]

I doubt they will enforce anything on the new units and if they did/do; they will have a lead-in time of several months. Are they could to go around to millions of homes and check? I do not think so.

The cost will double for the end customer but I doubt it will be 2X for the distributor. My old-man friends ownes several HVAC business and that is where I get/got allmy stuff. The mark up is a total junk. It is #3 on my list below siding (#1) and underground sprinklers is a close #2.

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( bad link junk.... )</font>

Fixed.... works for me... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Bleach??? On the drip pan (plastic or metal) under A-coil or in the drain line pump? I put bleach in the condensate pump or use the tablets that they sell. )</font>

Mike,

I disconnect the pipe from the air handler and only put bleach in the PVC pipe that's leaving.

 

[gsxr1100]

do the same thing. I also use it everyday (condensate pump) for Ro/DI waste water....

Pumps lots of water per day..around 30 to 35 gallons.

 

[gsxr1100]

In the link, a person states "replacing an average SEER 10 central air conditioner costs $2,500 to $3,500." What does that include since it seems very high.

 

[LarryRB]

The latest home we bought was all electric. I had it converted over to forced hot water,. For the second floor, the only option was to place an air handler in the attic. This, is after I installed a pull down stair case in an unused bedroom. At that, the air handler hardly made it up and through. It has heat and A/C lines to this handler and two drains that go outside.. Best move we ever made.Just finishing it's second year, this September. Best move we ever made. Condensor is almost a hundred feet away. All works well and I would do it all over again if I have to.

 

[techman]

I have a 2 zone, 2 system installation. The second floor air handler is in the attic, and has been for 17 years w/o problem. It is a very common practice with 2 story 2 zone systems. The only precautions on doing it are: be sure all ducting in the attic space is well insulated (newer, higher insulation standards are now in effect); be sure that there is a secondary drip pan under the unit, with a separate drain and/or shutoff float switch; and try to provide as good as possible access for service and PM.

paul