The kids will adapt and they are not permanent residents. I am sure you love them, but it's your house. They will be way louder in the bunk room than any air handler. ;-)

And FYI - my upstairs unit is in the attic scuttle area - can't you do that too with some access via that closet? Unless you are trying to put the entire HVAC into conditioned space, it shouldn't make that much difference, and might actually be easier to "plumb"

Janni..it's not that I mind the kids hearing the noise but I was really looking forward to finishing this closet out really well and having a space for all things kids. Clothes, toys, etc. And a place to keep extra linens, blankets, pillows, etc.

plus, something just makes me uncomfortable about having this thing so close in proximity to my grandkids; basically in the same room with them with a locked door between them.

I wish it could go up above those rooms too. Originally I thought it might. Gambrel roof and just not much wasted space up there. At least it wasn't offered as an option....

Where is the easier location for you to change the filter monthly? To service? To replace? Are either of these locations actually conditioned? The ductwork is in conditioned space?

There’s a bigger picture beyond A or B.

Sophie - my returns are not in the attic - I have to go up there once a year to change the large paper media pleated filter. I don't think most filters ON the air handler need to be changed monthly. I kinda suspected that if the entire system was designed to be in conditioned space, that this discussion would have happened in HVAC design / with the architect. Based on the ask, I figure this is the more conventional / disjointed approach.

Sophie..both locations are easy to access. And easy to service. Just walk through a door. The space to the left end is definitely conditioned space. The space to the right end will cost more to bring it to the point where the air handler can go in there...extra insulation cost, etc. Right now it is not conditioned space.

The ductwork will go up into the space above the second floor, which is the attic. It will be well insulated but not conditioned. The ductwork will be insulated. The vents will be in the ceiling.

so, did I just answer my own question? That it needs to be in the storage closet on the left end of the house?

we are in Central Illinois if it makes any difference weather wise.

This is geothermal if it makes any difference. The HVAC people did the design.

Another unit in the basement for the basement and first floor.

Well...now I feel bad that I wasted everyone's time including my own.

DH just called after a meeting with hvac guy, and builder and the consensus is that the best place is the original location..the grandkids closet.

too much work and $$$ to bring the other space up to snuff. Disappointed.

sorry I wasted your time folks.

I thought you said the original plan by the architect was in the space behind bedroom 2

Architects are not HVAC installers. ;-) Oftentimes, the trades don't get accounted for adequately - especially if you are doing something like geothermal, that likely is lower velocity / larger ducts / higher efficiency. Those guys usually get very little room to work in and then the homeowner complains about having to box out some space for HVAC, etc.

Interestingly, I've seen plumbing and electrical plans as part of the architect's expected services, but not HVAC.

Cp...no, I meant the hvac people's original plan.

Janni...you are right. Hvac people often get left in the dark.

With that said...Martha sent me an updated plan for that area that may work and solve the whole issue. We will be talking to the hvac people tomorrow to see if it will work.

It involves taking a small area out of the rec room/bunk room and making it a air handler room with a door from the hall. We would just have to reframe and move a door.

keep your fingers crossed.

I assume you are an empty nester if you have grand kids - If your master bedroom is on the first floor and the basement unit conditions basement and first floor it is unlikely that you will have the second floor handler running unless you have guests staying on the 2nd floor. So consider that in terms of how often the second floor unit might bother you noise wise.

Idea #1: Place the air handler in the bunk room storage and maybe one of the grandkids will grow up to be an architect that will properly plan out HVAC spaces.

Idea #2: Place the air handler in the space behind bedroom #2 and suspend it from the structure above so as not transmit vibration through the floor/ceiling of the master bedroom.

Idea #3: Place the air handler in the walk-in closet of bedroom #3 closing off the door to bedroom #3 and providing a door to the hall. Provide a two foot deep reach-in closet in bedroom #3 on the west wall.

Idea #4: Provide each bedroom and bunk room a fireplace and forget the air handler.

Pete...actually, bedrooms 3 and 4 will be occupied full time for a few more years. Still have two kids at home. We did plan the house that everything we will need as empty nesters someday will be on the first floor and will use zoning.

Mark...

#1 Ha, I love it as I do believe my grandchildren and future grandchildren are exceptional.

#2 Now I know you are pulling my leg, right?

#3 Actually, this might be a really good idea. I have to see how my son feels about losing his walk-in closet. He may want the basement bedroom anyway. In which case, this would be a really good option

#4 lol, right. I almost decided to forgo a fireplace altogether but good joke....

Thanks Mark.

#1 You never know how architecture can influence people.

#2 Much of the sound issues with mechanical equipment is from the vibration they produce. Isolating the vibration can help in controlling the sound transmission, similar to the image below.

#3 This I think is the best solution; centrally located and easily accessible. Your son does not have the closet yet so he can't lose it. He will be getting a place to hang his clothes regardless.

#4 Where is your romantic side?

I only have one air handler. I much prefer a zoned system over multiple units, which are more expensive in every way.

I carefully plotted out my ducts to make that happen, though.

Will probably not find out outcome today as to where the upstairs air handler will go. I will let you all know the outcome as I'm sure you all are waiting on baited breath :-)

Milly..this house will have zones as well. Our last house was geo-thermal with 2 units with five zones. And it was just one level with a finished basement. DH did not want to do geothermal this time as there were no incentives but gave in to me as I loved our geothermal, the even feeling and the feeling that things were not constantly "kicking on" and not having the equipment in the yard.

the house is larger than I would have liked...and it required two units.

^^^ not having the outdoor units is driving my geothermal decision as well. Once you don't have to listen to that monster in the evenings - you can't go back to something that creates that much visual and real noise....

That's odd. 5000 sqft old construction can be handled by one geothermal unit in most climates.

But I suppose once you start putting in multiple compressors, and savings on zoning can disappear really fast into extra ducts!!!! Sorry. I forgot about that!