What is the best way to heat an attic?

What is the best way to heat an attic?  Many people who ask that question are looking to expand the living area of their home as a private living space or storage for items that could be negatively affected by extreme temperatures.

The first step is involving a Geiler Company HVAC professional.  Decisions involving cost and safety have to be made at various steps in the process to ensure that you end up happy with your new livable attic area.  

We will begin by examining the existing insulation.  Without sufficient insulation, any heating energy will escape to the outside and end up costing you money.  Depending on the size of your attic space and the level of insulation already present, it might be necessary to add more to make your attic livable.

The next step is to make sure that the attic floor is solid enough to hold the weight of persons, furniture and storage items.  You don't want anyone or anything falling through the floor.

Next, you will want to run electricity to the attic space if it's not there already.  Extension cords from the floor below will not do.  Those are a safety hazard.  Make sure a Geiler Company professional takes a look at your situation and provides you with analysis and options and then have them do the work.

Now that you have a safe and properly insulated space with available electricity, what is the best way to heat the attic?  The Geiler Company recommends a single zone mini split system heat pump.  "Single zone" means that it's only responsible for heating one area, and "split system" means that it is separate from the HVAC system of the house.  These systems can cost anywhere from $1500 to $2000 or more, depending on their heating capacity.  That may sound like a lot, but it's probably cheaper than cutting up your attic floor to extend existing duct work into your attic.  If your attic is large enough, your house's HVAC system might not be able to handle the extra space.  If that happens, you will have to get a system with a higher capacity.  Given these facts, a single zone split system heating unit is the smart way to go.  One important consideration is to buy a unit with enough capacity to generate enough heat in the space provided during those single digit winter nights.

Every situation and every home is different.  That's why we recommend involving a Geiler Company professional in the planning process for heating your attic.  We will make sure the job is done safely, promptly and professionally.  Call the Geiler Company today at (513) 574-0025 today and let us help you get started.

Call us at 513-574-0025 if you have questions about:

• heat a garage
• renovation
• one room
• mitsubishi split system
• ductless air conditioner
• air conditioner for attic
• ductless heating