Where to locate snake room in new split-level house?

[artgecko]

Hello all!

We are, almost certainly, buying our first house... Having the pre-sale home inspection done today so fingers crossed he doesn't find anything majorly wrong.

I'm here to get your feedback on which "bedroom" to use as my herp room. The house is a split level and has two "masters" one upstairs and the other downstairs on the lowest level of the house off of a "den". There are also two smaller bedrooms upstairs near the master. Each bedroom has 1 window, similar footprint (room downstairs is a wee bit bigger than the two spare bedrooms upstairs), a closet, and (unfortunately) carpet.

I'm considering either using the second master that is downstairs on the lowest level of the house (and has it's own bathroom and bigger closet) OR one of the slightly smaller bedrooms upstairs. The initial plan for all of the rooms is to use 1 as a guest, 1 if we have a kid (space will be used for artwork and sewing in the mean time), and the other as the herp room.

What I would like your thoughts on, is which location (on the top level of the house or the lowest level) would be preferable when it comes to maintaining proper temps in the herp room. The house uses a heat pump (gas and electric) and I am not sure what I will use as an auxiliary heat source for the room. The thermostat for the heat pump is halfway between the upstairs and main level of the house.

I am leaning towards the downstairs room, but am concerned that in the summer (which is quite hot here in GA) it would be more energy-efficient to put the room upstairs, however, that scenario could be flipped during the winter...where it may stay warmer downstairs.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this, because I want to pre-plan where everything will go prior to moving and don't relish the idea of moving cages / tanks up/down stairs if I change my mind. In particular, if anyone has feedback that is in a similar home (2 story or split level) that would be great.

Thanks everyone!

[sho220]

An upper level room will hold more heat. Also an interior room (room with only one outside wall) will hold more heat than a room on a corner of the house. I have mine in a corner room and the room right next to it, which is an interior room, stays much warmer. I'll eventually change them out when I have the time. I would also consider where the main living space is. If you're like me, you'll be spending a lot of time in the snake room, and I wouldn't want to be going up and down stairs all day, especially on cleaning day.

[bcr229]

I would ask the current owners which room tends to stay the warmest. Also consider what direction the windows face, as a room on the south side of the house will stay warmer than one on the north side. My herp room is a south/west bedroom on the corner of the house. It stays at 79-80*F in the summer with the central A/C thermostat set at 76*F, and in the winter I simply close the door and run a space heater in it while the rest of the house can run a lot cooler.

[artgecko]

Thanks for your input guys! I will have to check the window position and walls next time I go. I'll also take a temp gun with me and check which room is warmest... It is empty now so I don't know if I'd have the opportunity to ask the previous owners.
The room downstairs is on two outside walls (corner) I believe 1 or both of the rooms upstairs are only on one outside wall.

The downstairs room is close to the laundry room (has access outside into the yard) and has it's own bathroom I could use for cleanup... It sounds like convenience and temp stability might be at odds here... This will take some thinking.

[Krynn]

Orrrrr you could just use both


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[Pythonfriend]

Where to locate snake room in new split-level house?

Crawl space


sorry couldnt resist apart from that, i would make thermal insulation and easy access to water priorities.

[artgecko]

Heh... Don't think my husband would go for both... I'm not even sure he's cool with me putting the rodents (not a whole colony, just pets at the moment) in the other unused room.

That said, it looks like insulation and water access won't be hand-in-hand. I'll have to choose which is more important.

At this point I think I'll have to wait till closing and then test both areas with a temp. gun and see which room stays warmer. If the lower level room isn't a lot cooler, then I may go with it because it has it's own bathroom.