Recently purchased a home that had been gut remodeled by the seller. After several months we have noticed a spot in the kitchen where the wood flooring has slightly changed texture and slats are pulling apart from one another a little. When I stand there I can feel that its a cold / warm spot (depending on the season). We do not have a duct anywhere in the kitchen. Closet duct is decently far away. Underneath the kitchen is a finished basement with a couple ducts in the ceiling, but they are not in a similar location. So my theory is that a duct should have been put in the kitchen floor or underneath the cabinet flashing. Does this sound reasonable? Given that the space underneath is finished, do I have any way to confirm this theory (without destroying anything)? The hot / cold spot is very close to cabinets, so my best guess is to drill down through the cabinet and see if I can explore that way, as such damage will be hidden from plain sight. Or should I just call a professional? I'm not sure though they'll have any better way to know than I would. And I do not have any direct way to contact the original contractor (so its all out of my pocket). Thanks!

I recently asked here who made the most reliable central air condioning systems. My laypersons research shows many of the main parts of many of the central air condioning systems actually come from a limited number of suppliers. The greater issue I have been told is the competence of the actual installers. Therefore im looking at the selection of a new AC system from a different perspective: finding the suppliers of the evap coils, condenser coils, condensers, and compressors that most AC manufacturers use, select a lower to mid price AC system that uses those manufactures and focus on selecting the best installers. Evaporator coils and condensor coils. It seems aluminum tubing and fins are now the way to go. I have read the thinner copper tubing used in newer evap coils is more quickly failing due to corrosion with the aluminum fins. (recent lennox lawsuits) Who makes the better evap coils and condensor coils? Compressor: I have read that a single stage scroll compressor is tried and true. Is this what i should look for? I dont need a higher seer than 13 or 14. Condensor: Is there particular manufacturer I should be looking for.