Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - cold air return is not working-- for heat pump
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jh20737
01-08-03, 08:18 AM
my heat pump is about 1 month old. I still have warranty on my house from the builder. Now, I realized that cold air return for 3 bedroom is not working. I tested by put a paper in front of a vent. I would like to know is it the right method to test it?
I notified to my builder the problem. The builder told me the county passed the inspection so they will not make further adjustment to it.
I would like to know how much I would pay to fix this problem?
Thank you very much for your time to help me.
Jen
I notified to my builder the problem. The builder told me the county passed the inspection so they will not make further adjustment to it.
I would like to know how much I would pay to fix this problem?
Thank you very much for your time to help me.
Jen
Jay11J
01-08-03, 09:29 AM
Call the installer who instaled the system.. Lot of time the builder won't /don't want to do anything else to the house after if it's done..
Check your other return vents in the house, if it seems like you have alot of air geting pulled in, the system is not getting enough air..
A simple putting your hand over the vent and feel for the air pulling in, if you don't feel anything chances are it maybe not hooked up or plugged.
Just last week, a friend brought a house, and had me check the system out.. found one vent was plugged with a wall paper, the wall paper was cut on the sides, and top, and it floped into the wall and was plugging the air flow.
So, take the vent off, and look in and see what you can find.. if it looks clear, CALL the installer back, and tell them what's wrong..
In my grandfather's home, the installer forgot to "Pan" the return in the basement from the bedrooms wall to the return duct..
Check your other return vents in the house, if it seems like you have alot of air geting pulled in, the system is not getting enough air..
A simple putting your hand over the vent and feel for the air pulling in, if you don't feel anything chances are it maybe not hooked up or plugged.
Just last week, a friend brought a house, and had me check the system out.. found one vent was plugged with a wall paper, the wall paper was cut on the sides, and top, and it floped into the wall and was plugging the air flow.
So, take the vent off, and look in and see what you can find.. if it looks clear, CALL the installer back, and tell them what's wrong..
In my grandfather's home, the installer forgot to "Pan" the return in the basement from the bedrooms wall to the return duct..
GregH
01-08-03, 09:31 AM
jh20737:
If the temperatures throughout the house are fairly consistant, the fact that a piece of paper will not stick to the vent means it is likely doing it's job quite well.
There will be more than one return air grill and the air will divided amongst the remaining openings.
This makes for a quiet system.
A rough check for inadequate return airflow is while the furnace is running, loosen the fan compartment door and note how much suction there is.
If the door snaps back with some force then you could have a return problem.
If the door does not get drawn back then it is likely ok.
This will test overall return static pressure but will not addresss return air distribution throughout the house.
Cautionary note:
When checking the r/a pressure as suggested, be very carefull that the door does not pinch your fingers.
In extereme cases there could be enough force to make a very big bo-bo if it gets away from you.
If the temperatures throughout the house are fairly consistant, the fact that a piece of paper will not stick to the vent means it is likely doing it's job quite well.
There will be more than one return air grill and the air will divided amongst the remaining openings.
This makes for a quiet system.
A rough check for inadequate return airflow is while the furnace is running, loosen the fan compartment door and note how much suction there is.
If the door snaps back with some force then you could have a return problem.
If the door does not get drawn back then it is likely ok.
This will test overall return static pressure but will not addresss return air distribution throughout the house.
Cautionary note:
When checking the r/a pressure as suggested, be very carefull that the door does not pinch your fingers.
In extereme cases there could be enough force to make a very big bo-bo if it gets away from you.