Without considering comfort during an attic renovation, you may merely be transforming your attic from a low-cost into high-cost unlivable, wasted space.
Normally, the unfinished attic provides a barrier between the living areas of a house and the merciless heat of a hot sun or the raw penetration of chilling winds. This barrier must be maintained in a renovated attic.
For comfort, an adequate amount of insulation in necessary. Don’t skimp on the amounts recommended by the Department of Energy. Not only will you conserve energy, but your new rooms will be better able to maintain an even, comfortable temperature.
Equally important is the proper installation of the insulation. A vapor barrier on the living area side of the insulation must be installed to prevent the absorption of moisture from the room. Ventilation through adequate air channels between the insulation and the roof decking must be provided to prevent condensation of water from outside on the insulation and to move hot air up and out of the house. Properly installed, insulation will maintain its effectiveness for many years.
Heating and cooling systems are sized to meet the needs at the time they are installed. Frequently adding attic living space demands additional heating or cooling capabilities.
A suggestion at this point is to add "zoned climate control," where the attic environment is maintained by an entirely separate system. Not only does this provide the opportunity to use new, energy efficient units, but the climate can also be maintained to meet the needs or tastes of the individuals using the attic. Separate systems also provide a life-saving back-up if the other system were to fail during excessively hot or cold weather.
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