Air Conditioning - Difficulty cooling upstairs
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fallon12345
08-06-05, 01:55 PM
Hello,
I have a one zone system, and the upstairs is not getting cool. Some of the vents upstairs don't seem to blow any air at all. Others do, but not enough. The major truncs seem to be labeled in the basement (upstairs/downstairs), no idea if they are right. I have an attic fan that I keep on during hot days which helps. Any recommendations? I was thinking of having someone install manual baffles (?), so that I can shut down the flow downstairs in the summer and upstairs in the winter. Is this a good idea, and what is the cost? Is there maintenance I can have performed on the duct work, and what is the cost?
I have a one zone system, and the upstairs is not getting cool. Some of the vents upstairs don't seem to blow any air at all. Others do, but not enough. The major truncs seem to be labeled in the basement (upstairs/downstairs), no idea if they are right. I have an attic fan that I keep on during hot days which helps. Any recommendations? I was thinking of having someone install manual baffles (?), so that I can shut down the flow downstairs in the summer and upstairs in the winter. Is this a good idea, and what is the cost? Is there maintenance I can have performed on the duct work, and what is the cost?
lenny56769
08-06-05, 04:56 PM
this will help and is most likely the cheap way out but the thing is your unit might not be big enough to handle the home or duct size could be wrong . it sounds like someone tryed closeing some damper all ready to get air
mattison
08-07-05, 07:55 AM
Are there little handles on the ducts just as they leave the main trunk line??
You may also look into getting a return or two installed up there.
You may also look into getting a return or two installed up there.
fallon12345
08-07-05, 08:32 AM
I don't think there are handles near the truncs in the basement. Wouldnt it be difficult to add returns to a second floor room? How about the idea of shutting down air flow upstairs in the winter and downstairs in the summer?
mattison
08-07-05, 08:38 AM
I wouldn't shut them off completly but sometimes it helps. You could try running the blower in the on position 24/7 and see if that helps. It sometimes does and sometimes causes unwanted drafts.
DNT1
08-07-05, 10:27 AM
If thi is a true zoned system controlled by electrically driven dampers you probably have a transformer or damper drive motor out that is the main problem with these systems they are not reliable after a few years and cause maintenance headaches. I would find the zone dampers and remove the drive motors and install a locking hand manual quadrant and as you say just manually adjust it for each season.
fallon12345
08-07-05, 11:35 AM
Do you think I have this problem? If so, why?
DNT1
08-07-05, 11:54 AM
oops you said one zone sometimes I don't read very well sorry. Yeah just add some manual balancing dampers and a bypass duct with static controlled damper blade and you should be good to go. The bypass is for dumping air into the return if somehow your register dampers all became closed off (grandkids at play etc) to prevent duct explosion LOL