Written Written In most cases you have to get a little creative. Window AC units are a bit more challenging to hide than a central AC unit sitting on the ground. With a central AC unit you can surround it with some sort of fencing material. Make sure to keep it accessible though!There are pipes for water and heating, and ductwork can cause unavoidable issues in a basement project. You can get water leaks and worse from overhead pipes, sewer and septic pipes, and cracks in the foundation or floor. Water tanks can erupt, and valves can suddenly blow, spilling inches or feet of water into your basement before you realize it. It's important to prepare for the bad days. Moisture and humidity are some of the most common problems in basement spaces, and water issues need to be resolved before you build any room down there. If you get water leaks from your foundation walls or floor, this needs to be addressed. Solution: Humidity and condensation can be relieved by sealing air leaks and gaps, better insulating your basement and running a dehumidifier.

If you plan to move mechanical systems or appliances during your basement renovation, consider an upgrade. A more efficient furnace can save you money in the long run. Common obstacles are mechanical systems or appliances that get in the way of your floor plans. You won't want to move furnaces, hot water heaters and water filtration systems if you can help it, as this can get costly and create new problems. "You're disturbing an entire system," says Frank Laskey, founder of Capital Construction. "If you're going to move things, you'll be moving all the parts, plumbing, ductwork and wiring." Solution: It's best to design around these systems and cordon off a furnace and water tank area. "The first thing you should do is get a load calculation of your present system from an HVAC professional," says Donald Prather, technical services manager for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. "This will help size your heating and cooling system properly, taking into account your new basement space."

Check with an HVAC professional to ensure that systems are ventilated. If you do have to move systems, Donald says, consider upgrading to a properly sized and more efficient system at the same time.where to get cheap ac unit While a lally or column might be in the way of your ideal floor plan, they are in your basement for a reason: to support the weight above. ac unit screen coverAny walls that run perpendicular to the floor joists are likely to be load-bearing. best type of ac unitsDo not knock down any lally or support columns. Solution: You can replace columns with engineered and laminated or steel beams, but make sure they have been spec-ed out and approved by a structural engineer and your local building department. Ductwork can be a major eyesore, but moving it will cause unnecessary stress — and add more time and money to your basement project.

Solution: Before you try to relocate it, consider how you can frame around it and use it as a design element, perhaps creating a soffit or a tray ceiling. Donald says that one of the most creative fixes he saw in a basement relocated ductwork from a low-hanging spot on the ceiling to the floor, with a frame and finish that turned it into bench-style seating. Consider your options before rearranging floor plans to hide unattractive ductwork. Be sure to seal any leaks in the ductwork first before you conceal it. If your basement ceiling is less than 8 feet from the floor, consider how much space will be lost to a drop or finished ceiling and a floor. Do you still have enough headroom? Solution: Some people dig down to get higher ceilings, though it's quite costly and involved. Top Six Basement Spaces Solving Basement Design Problems A Basement With Hollywood Glamour Basement Remodel Combines Asian and Midcentury-Modern Design Design a Basement Apartment

10 Chic Basements by Candice Olson Basement Media Room Makeover 10 Basements for the Whole Family A Remodel Where Design Is the Star HGTV Smart Home Stage Ideas for Basement RoomsHead right to the source. Most HVAC systems have the air filter housing as close to the blower unit as possible in the return air duct. Air filtration happens as the blower draws air through the filter and into the furnace for heating and circulation. That way as much as possible (dust, pet hair, microbes, pollen) is filtered out before the air enters your furnace. If not there, the filter may be located inside, or on the air handler itself. You are looking for tall thin slot which hopefully has a filter in it. Finding Furnace Filter Size: Even Without A Filter If there is a filter in the slot that looks to fit well, mark down the measurement listed in bold type along the leading edge of the filter. Your filter should fit the opening closely in all three dimensions (length, height and thickness) while still being able to slide it in and out.

If you have to jam the thing in or rip it apart removing it, you probably should remeasure the size. If there is no filter in the slot, it is a good thing you went to look at it! Running without one recirculates dirty air through your house and can mess up your blower among other things. Shop for a filter marked with dimensions as close as possible to the dimensions of the slot. The filter you want will actually be a little smaller than the slot, about 1/4 inch in each dimension, but most furnace filters are marked with rounded off numbers (nominal measurement instead of actual measurement). In other words, if you are looking for a filter that should actually measure 15½” x 24¾” x ¾”, you would look for a filter marked 16″ x 25″ x 1″. By the way, when measuring your furnace filter, height and width are interchangeable: 16″ x 25″ x 1″ is the same as 25″ x 16″ x 1″. Think of it this way, tipping the filter on its side doesn’t effect how well it works.