Installing cooling into an existing warm air system is often
referred to as an "add on". Adding cooling to a heating system
involves the installation of an evaporator or cooling coil on the
furnace, a condenser outside, and the refrigerant lines to connect
them.
MRW Mechanical Information Center
ADD ON COOLING
This procedure is less expensive than the installation of a separate
set of ducts for cooling only, but has the drawback of using the
heating ducts to cool. These heating ducts may be undersized for
cooling and will limit the amount of cooling that is installed.
In an "add-on " situation, the heat gain calculation doesn’t matter
as much as the parameters of the existing system. The cooling must
conform to the system rather than the heat gain figures. In many
circumstances , these conditions are acceptable, but in two story
buildings, it can create a problem. The second floor will usually
suffer from a lack of sufficient cooling.
If the house is zoned floor to floor, with a thermostat on each
floor, the effects will be minimized, but if the house has one
thermostat and it is located on the first floor, the upstairs could
suffer.
The alternative to this situation is the redesign and re-install of
adequate ducts to the upper level. If these additional costs are not
acceptable, at least be aware of this pending condition.