On Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:24:31 -0400, Sam Takoy wrote:

Hi,

My central AC unit is on the 3rd floor and we get no relief on the first
floor. The only intake is in the ceiling of the second floor and the
HVAC specialist tells me that that's the problem. His proposed solution
is a second AC system for the first floor.

I'm thinking: why not take one of the outlet ducts and convert them to
an intake? Crazy enough to work?


That would only allow enough air flow in as this small duct would allow,
assuming you could find this duct and reroute it properly. The inlet needs
to be larger than the outputs. Three floors is a lot to cover with one AC
unit and one return air. It doesn't sound like it was installed correctly.
All 3 floors need return air and an oversized inlet and fan to cover that
area.

Thanks,

Sam