HVAC for Home Theater

[TLMDave]

Trying to design HVAC system for a home theater in the basement of home in Chicago. Thought of a separate zone from 1st floor HVAC system but will need cooling for theater in winter when ist floor calling for heat. Three HVAC contractors said typical residential AC units won't operate in low ambient conditions. Two suggested un-conditioned outside air through separate ducts. Possible 0 degree air seems too severe. Mini-split systems are too noisy. Any suggestion?

 

[MintJulep]

air/air heat exchanger to outside air.

 

[GMcD]

As MintJulep has suggested an air to air heat recovery unit with a heating coil on the supply air to touch the supply air temp up in extreme winter conditions. Also, for the air supply into the room, consider using the raked (stepped) floor space under the seats for low level displacement air supply (if you have a stepped floor under the seats). Otherwise low sidewall air outlets. The closet where all the A/V stuff is also a critical cooling zone and you may have to zone the air supply cooler in there compared to the theatre to protect the equipment.

 

[DrRTU]

Separate split system zone for theater area. Use a fan coil with VFD drive so you will not hear unit start and stop. York, Carrier, Lennox and Trane have good units. Line main supply duct runs with 1” acoustic liner. Over size grilles and run out to minimize noise. Use an electric heat to keep noise down and minimize cost. If building is insulated well, use of heat will be minimal. Use an inline broan exhaust fan to remove heat from AV rack or closet, duct to return plenum. Install economizer in return to use OA as cooling in winter.

 

[KiwiMace]

You have an opportunity to use the rejected heat from the home theater to heat the house. Ducted condenser?

 

[DrRTU]

Sorry it is ECM not VFD. For example,

http://www.carrierresidential.com/CarrierAlliance/FE4.html

Or

http://www.yorkupg.com/NewInfo.asp?id=18&t=r&PID=3

 

[AbbyNormal]

lol small water to water heat pump. Dump heat to the rest of the basement in winter or outside in summer.

Take the "V" out of HVAC and you are left with a HAC(k) job.

 

[AbbyNormal]

double up on the piping even between the theatre and outdoor fan coil and get free cooling like a glycol run around even, in the dead of winter.

Take the "V" out of HVAC and you are left with a HAC(k) job.