Basement vs Attic
1. They put the climate control appliance you use the most in the place where it will distribute the easiest. Heat rises, cooled air falls. That is basic science. So in warm climate AC in the attic makes sense. In ares like New England and Midwest, where a minimum crawlspace is really necessary for comfort and foundation, you'd put your heat source under the house because the heat rises.
2. No body apparently really wants a basement, but especially in cold regions a basement or crawlspace is necessary for the foundation. They also cost more. We can understand why contractors would not want to spend the money and extra time building them. (I like them) Also, some regions in the south and in earthquake prone regions, a typical basement won't work. In Fla., the ground water table is often only a couple of feet under ground so a basement would just fill with water permanently. In earthquake areas with ground constantly shifting it would be a joke. (About as funny a joke of pouring a slab on shifting soils but....)
3. def. no water heaters in the attic in earthquake prone areas. Surely we can see why that wouldn't work. As it is now, it's law that those ridiculous tanks need to be thoroughly 'seat belted in" so they will be less likely to fall over. The idea of having a 40, 50, 80 gallon water heater in a standard residential home is just ridiculous. A tankless is so much more efficient and safe.
Sure, go ahead, strap that mongo heat producing gas water heater in so it doesn't tip over. lol.
Never ever would I put up with gas appliances in an earthquake prone home, nor would I want to live on a slab in such an area.
