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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor

My house is on three floors, it has central air conditioning, the
thermostat is on the middle level, and there's an exhaust fan on its own
thermostat in the attic. When the temperature is comfortable on the
middle floor, it's too warm on the top level. It's a bit cooler on the
ground floor.

What's the most effective, assuming any of them is effective, of the
following approaches?

1. Partly close the incoming air vents on the middle floor and possibly
the ground floor. The theory: a relatively larger portion of cooled air
will go to the top floor.

2. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third
floors to push the air upwards.

3. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third
floors to push the air downwards.
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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor


"Harlan Messinger" wrote in message
1. Partly close the incoming air vents on the middle floor and possibly
the ground floor. The theory: a relatively larger portion of cooled air
will go to the top floor.


That is the easiest, cheapest, and can be very effective. Do that first.



2. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third floors
to push the air upwards.

3. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third floors
to push the air downwards.


You already have air moving in the stairways. Take a candle and hold it
near the floor. Watch the flame as you slowly move it towards the top. It
is easier to boost the hot air moving up that to boost cold air coming down.
After you do step one, experiment with a simple box fan to see what benefits
you get.


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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor

Harlan Messinger wrote:
My house is on three floors, it has central air conditioning, the
thermostat is on the middle level, and there's an exhaust fan on its
own thermostat in the attic. When the temperature is comfortable on
the middle floor, it's too warm on the top level. It's a bit cooler
on the ground floor.

What's the most effective, assuming any of them is effective, of the
following approaches?

1. Partly close the incoming air vents on the middle floor and
possibly the ground floor. The theory: a relatively larger portion of
cooled air will go to the top floor.

2. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third
floors to push the air upwards.

3. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third
floors to push the air downwards.


The most effective way is to have three systems or zones. It also may
be rather expensive. I plan on going that route when I replace my system.

The problem with #1 is it may cause problems and even damage your system
with too high resistance.

I would say #2 & #3 is not likely to work, but if the room arrangements
are just right it may. Keep in mind that if it does push cooler air up it
also means that the air pressure will be a little higher up there keeping at
lest some of the cooler air from the A/C from getting up there through the
existing ducts. It might make more sense to push the warmer air down to the
lowest floor.

My suggestion for something that would work, would be to have a
professional HVAC do the manuals (maybe just the "D" in this case.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit


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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor

Does th 3rd floor have a return, AC wont ever work without the proper
size return for the top floors, otherwise I also adjust dampers.

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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor


"Harlan Messinger" wrote in message
...
My house is on three floors, it has central air conditioning, the
thermostat is on the middle level, and there's an exhaust fan on its own
thermostat in the attic. When the temperature is comfortable on the middle
floor, it's too warm on the top level. It's a bit cooler on the ground
floor.

What's the most effective, assuming any of them is effective, of the
following approaches?

1. Partly close the incoming air vents on the middle floor and possibly
the ground floor. The theory: a relatively larger portion of cooled air
will go to the top floor.

2. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third floors
to push the air upwards.

3. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third floors
to push the air downwards.

This common situation can be improved by running the evaporator fan
continuously. The fan speed for best balance between cost and effectiveness
can be determined experimentally. Reducing the heat gain in the upper floors
also helps.

Don Young




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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor

m Ransley wrote:
Does th 3rd floor have a return, AC wont ever work without the proper
size return for the top floors, otherwise I also adjust dampers.


There is, right at the top of the stairs.
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Don Young wrote:
"Harlan Messinger" wrote in message
...
My house is on three floors, it has central air conditioning, the
thermostat is on the middle level, and there's an exhaust fan on its own
thermostat in the attic. When the temperature is comfortable on the middle
floor, it's too warm on the top level. It's a bit cooler on the ground
floor.

What's the most effective, assuming any of them is effective, of the
following approaches?

1. Partly close the incoming air vents on the middle floor and possibly
the ground floor. The theory: a relatively larger portion of cooled air
will go to the top floor.

2. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third floors
to push the air upwards.

3. Hang a ceiling fan in the stairway between the second and third floors
to push the air downwards.

This common situation can be improved by running the evaporator fan
continuously. The fan speed for best balance between cost and effectiveness
can be determined experimentally. Reducing the heat gain in the upper floors
also helps.


Do you mean, the fan switch on the thermostat? I always have that on On,
rather than Auto. But there isn't a speed adjustment.

What do you mean by "reducing the heat gain"?
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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor



Do you mean, the fan switch on the thermostat? I always have that on On,
rather than Auto. But there isn't a speed adjustment.

What do you mean by "reducing the heat gain"?


blower motor may be adjustable or go to a bigger or faster motor or
larger blower. if the blower is belt driiven often a easy pulley and
belt change is all thats needed. although in the winter too much
airflow can cause drafts.

to reduce heat gain close blinds stuff like that.

do you have air returns from the 3rd floor?

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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor

In summer I partialy block off my 1st floor return to increase second
floor pull.

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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor


m Ransley wrote:
In summer I partialy block off my 1st floor return to increase second
floor pull.



First, I would check all the ducts and returns to understand what's
there and make sure it's all connected. Very common to find tape
that's come off and a duct that's become seperated.

Then figure out how the ducts are run and which downstairs registers
are on the same ducts as upstairs. Then you can try closing off a
couple downstairs registers where it's likely to do the most good in
providing additional flow for upstairs.

Also, check out the size of the upstairs returns and make sure they are
open. Try taking off the grills for a couple of days. I did that and
it made a noticeable difference. Inspect the returns. These typically
use the bays between walls for passage and some times they aren't
completely open, due to poor installation and the installer having not
made complete cutouts all the way along the path, etc.

I agree with the advice about possibly adding another return, or larger
grill opening, if possible. Consider adding a radiant barrier in the
attic, which can help.

There also are booster fans, of 2 types. One gets inserted into the
duct serving upstairs in the basement and is wired into the furnace
blower. The other sits over the register, has a sail switch that
turns it on. I installed the first type on my system and it made a
noticeable difference, though it's not a total solution.

Unfortunately, I agree with Joseph that the best solution is a multiple
zone system. Many of these single zone systems would work better if
the installers did the job correctly during construction. But too
often there are not enough returns, supply ducts for upstairs and it's
very hard to fix later.



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Default Heat redistribution from floor to floor

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. Just to follow up:

There is a return on the third floor, at the top of the stairs.

Air is coming into the rooms quite strongly, so that isn't the problem.
I lit a candle and held it over one of the vents, and the flame got
brighter and roared. I held it near the return, and the flame leaned
noticeably toward the return, and its smoke got sucked right on.

Strange thing: while bringing the candle closer to a vent made the flame
brighter and more violent, bringing it closer to the return caused it to
get weaker and weaker. Holding it steady next to the grill, I saw it
barely stay alive, and finally die. Why would that be, I wonder. I would
think that fast moving air would be fast moving air, whether headed into
or out of a duct.
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