Designing your dream cottage is a blend of art and science: you want the building to look great, but it must also perform well, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, with enough ventilation to regulate moisture day after day.
“That’s where we come in,” says Hannah Patterson, BCIN Qualified Designer and owner of Patterson HVAC Designs. Hannah has been working in the HVAC industry for over 10 years – seven of which she has spent installing intricate systems in cottages across the region.
While HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) is often seen as an afterthought, she says it is an integral part of the design process.
“It’s so important to keep your HVAC system in mind when you’re designing your home or cottage.”
While the air that runs through the vents isn’t visible, the components that keep it circulating can play a major role in the look and feel of your cottage’s architectural design.
For example, if you have vaulted ceilings, you may want to avoid a ducted system that would require bulkheads. Instead, Hannah suggests using a ductless system that includes heat pumps, in-floor radiant heat, or both, to regulate the temperature without bulkheads and overhead vents. “If you still want a ducted system, you can easily reconfigure the surrounding rooms, like the kitchen, to hide the bulkheads and ducts. But it’s best to consider that during the planning process.”
As an HVAC designer, Hannah works with architects, builders, installers and homeowners to craft a heating and cooling system that will operate efficiently without interfering with the home’s design.
“For functionality and cost reduction, try to have bathrooms and bedrooms at the same end of the house as the HVAC equipment. This will reduce the amount of ducting and equipment required, which will keep the cost down,” suggests Hannah. “If that isn’t possible, make sure the mechanical room is on an exterior wall in the middle of the house. This way, you can have two branches that will extend to each end of the building.”
In addition to the layout, Hannah advises considering how the cottage will be used throughout the year. If you plan on only using it from spring through fall, heat pumps are a great option.
But if you’re using the cottage year-round, a heat pump will struggle to produce enough heat once the outside air temperature drops below minus 15 degrees.
“For that, a simple solution is to pair it with another heat source like in-floor heating,” she notes.
If you’re currently planning your cottage design, Hannah says now’s the perfect time to have the design reviewed by an experienced HVAC designer.
“We believe in a collaborative design process that involves our clients every step of the way. From initial design to final construction, we work closely with our clients to ensure all needs are met.”
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE
PHOTOS SCOTT TURNBULL
