hot upstairs/cold downstairs - how to correct?
#1
02-20-05, 06:46 PM
hot upstairs/cold downstairs - how to correct?
Hello... I am looking into replacing my electric heat pump system that is about 18 years old. I am replacing this unit for many reasons - because it is about at the end of its life, because the new ones are a lot more effecient, and most importantly because in the winter it is always hot upstairs and cold
downstairs (and in the summer, visa versa). The most important thing for me is to correct that problem.
My home is a two story townhouse with a vaulted ceiling. The only return is at the top of the stairs. The thermostat is on the first level. There is no basement, so we are built on a slab. The current heat pump system is one zone.
I have done some research and have received answers such as there needs to be a return on the first floor to pull out the cold air, there should be two zones, and there is no solution. I tend to think that adding a return sound like the best solution, but I have no knowledge about these things other
than the little that I've been told.
I would appreciate any suggestions because it always helps to get information from people whom are not the ones selling the equipment.
Thanks in advance...
-Mike
downstairs (and in the summer, visa versa). The most important thing for me is to correct that problem.
My home is a two story townhouse with a vaulted ceiling. The only return is at the top of the stairs. The thermostat is on the first level. There is no basement, so we are built on a slab. The current heat pump system is one zone.
I have done some research and have received answers such as there needs to be a return on the first floor to pull out the cold air, there should be two zones, and there is no solution. I tend to think that adding a return sound like the best solution, but I have no knowledge about these things other
than the little that I've been told.
I would appreciate any suggestions because it always helps to get information from people whom are not the ones selling the equipment.
Thanks in advance...
-Mike
#2
02-22-05, 02:55 PM
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Without going to your house and looking at all the possibilities.
Best thing is to have three estimates and then talk to the best contractor about all the bids and come up with the best way to go.
Best thing is to have three estimates and then talk to the best contractor about all the bids and come up with the best way to go.
#3
02-22-05, 07:01 PM
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Like Scott says get no less than 3 bids by established hvac companies and be sure that they do a heat load/loss calculation. They may suggest 2 seperate systems 1 for upstairs and 1 for down. Don't think they are crazy if they do cause that's a great way to go. Be sure and tell them about the problems you currently have with your existing system so that they can address these problems with the new system.
#4
02-23-05, 10:30 AM
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in the winter it is always hot upstairs and cold
downstairs (and in the summer, visa versa)
downstairs (and in the summer, visa versa)
Deal with the airflow issue separately from the system replacement for now.
Doug M.
#5
02-23-05, 10:39 AM
With Matt here . You dont say how big the home is are where. Like if you need more AC or heat up and down. Best buy today for a heat pump is one with a SEER 17.00 and a HSPF 10.55 for heat pump. With 10 year warranty
Get 3 bid on the job. Go for 2 units not 2 zones here for sure . You will be a lot happer with the job and save $$$ in ths long run
ED
Get 3 bid on the job. Go for 2 units not 2 zones here for sure . You will be a lot happer with the job and save $$$ in ths long run
ED
#6
02-23-05, 11:01 AM
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More questions: How much space is upstairs? Downstairs?
When I say it's always better to have separate zones, I mean it's always better to have separate controls for each floor, no matter how you arrive at that - separate systems or a single system with zone dampers. Of those 2 choices, having separate systems is definitely best, but either may turn out to be cost prohibitive. That is why I suggest that you deal with the airflow issue separately before looking at replacement systems. A single system may not ever be perfect, but you might be able to get close enough that spending the extra money on 2 systems won't make sense. Also, if you can get the current single system somewhat evened out, a new single system with a variable speed air handler may finish the job and make both floors quite comfortable.
Finally, the space question - I'm wondering if maybe the upstairs area is too small for it's own central system. It may be better to look at a portable or mini split system for the upstairs and simply close or block off all the ducts.
Doug M.
When I say it's always better to have separate zones, I mean it's always better to have separate controls for each floor, no matter how you arrive at that - separate systems or a single system with zone dampers. Of those 2 choices, having separate systems is definitely best, but either may turn out to be cost prohibitive. That is why I suggest that you deal with the airflow issue separately before looking at replacement systems. A single system may not ever be perfect, but you might be able to get close enough that spending the extra money on 2 systems won't make sense. Also, if you can get the current single system somewhat evened out, a new single system with a variable speed air handler may finish the job and make both floors quite comfortable.
Finally, the space question - I'm wondering if maybe the upstairs area is too small for it's own central system. It may be better to look at a portable or mini split system for the upstairs and simply close or block off all the ducts.
Doug M.
#7
02-24-05, 04:45 PM
Thanks for the advice...
The upstairs is pretty small... two bed rooms and two small baths. I think that the entire townhouse is about 1100 sqft. I can try to adjust the vents more so that more flow gets to the downstairs. I was able to find the adjustments for some of the vents, but some others (the ones that blow the strongest) I couldn't find the controls for. I'll look again.
Thanks again.
-Mike
The upstairs is pretty small... two bed rooms and two small baths. I think that the entire townhouse is about 1100 sqft. I can try to adjust the vents more so that more flow gets to the downstairs. I was able to find the adjustments for some of the vents, but some others (the ones that blow the strongest) I couldn't find the controls for. I'll look again.
Thanks again.
-Mike
#8
02-24-05, 05:17 PM
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correction option
Most of the systems that I see today that share floors have the duct system between the two floors and it is difficult to manipulate the dampers if they are in the system without shutting down the airflow at the same time.
And yes it is better to have separate thermostats on each floor but that all depends on the exsisting system.
Most of the time the upstairs is typically hotter than the downstairs year round.
I have blocked off the vents to the upstairs and install a supply duct to the attic space and zone it with automatic dampers and thermostats on each floor.
This was a first and last one that I did this way. It was 7 yrs. ago.
I can say that it solved the problem but it took up a closet and it was expensive.
And yes it is better to have separate thermostats on each floor but that all depends on the exsisting system.
Most of the time the upstairs is typically hotter than the downstairs year round.
I have blocked off the vents to the upstairs and install a supply duct to the attic space and zone it with automatic dampers and thermostats on each floor.
This was a first and last one that I did this way. It was 7 yrs. ago.
I can say that it solved the problem but it took up a closet and it was expensive.
