second thermostat


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Old 10-06-09, 09:50 AM
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second thermostat

I live in a two story farm house. The first floor is a walk out basement with family room and the kids bedrooms. I have a wood stove on the main level that heats the entire upstairs during the winter. Since the thermostat is on the main level, I have to turn it way up for it to turn on so the basement gets heat. Otherwise it will be around 55-65 depending on the weather in the basement. Is it possible to add a second thermostat in the basement with a cut/turn off switch so I could use one in the winter and one in the summer.

Thanks
 
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Old 10-06-09, 04:47 PM
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What would the second thermostat control? A Heatpump, Gas furnace, fancoil or a wood stove? (I'm not familiar with wood burning heat other than my fireplace)

I've installed a switch and dpdt relays to toggle between 2 stats with gas heat and electric before.

Do we want motorized dampers as well? If so do you have access to your ductwork?

 
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Old 10-06-09, 07:32 PM
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It would just control the gas furnace when the kids come over.
 
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Old 10-06-09, 08:25 PM
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If your basement is that cold, do you have any returns in the area down there?

What is the make/model of the t-stat you have?

Also, if your furnace is oversized, it may not run long enough to warm up the basement as well.. What is the make/model of your furnace, and how large is your home?
 
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Old 10-07-09, 08:39 PM
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The house is around 3000 sq feet. Hopefully I explained this well enough. With the wood burning stove, I can get the upstairs well above 72, but since the thermostat is upstairs, I would have to put it at 78 or so it will heat up the basement. I have returns both upstairs and downstairs. I'm not sure what year the thermostat. When I had the fan inside the furnace replaced 2 years ago, the guy told me I was at the minimum unit size for my house.

I hope you can make head or tails out of this.
 
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Old 10-07-09, 08:52 PM
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Have you tried running the fan in "ON" mode? that may help move the air around in the house.

Also, is the basement stairway an open stairway or is there a door on top of the stairway?
 
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Old 10-08-09, 07:15 PM
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It is an open stairwell, no doors. I've tried running just the fan, but it still doesn't heat the basement enough for the Kids not to want their down sleeping bags.
 
 

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