Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - zone/2 story home.
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06-13-01, 01:19 PM
I have lots of questions for a/c. We live in a fairly new 1 1/2 story home. We have only one 4ton lennox unit, we also have the 1/2 story zoned separately from the main level and we like the way the zoning works.
We live in the midwest and it is currently quite hot and quite humid. The main level doesnt require for the ac unit to run all the often. However, the second level requires that the ac run very frequently. (i.e. when it is hot the system will run for 10 minutes or so and then shut off for another ten, run for ten then shut off for ten.) you get the picture there.
I am wondering if this is normal or if it should be running less. I feel as though we have very adequate insulation upstairs, but am also wondering if this is just the nature of a 2nd story... Our second story is completely closed off from our 1st level, there is a closed door, so hot air from downstairs doesnt just constantly filter upstairs.
Also, we have an attic fan upstairs and I was wondering if it is possible for this fan to let in a large amount of hot air since there is no insulation on the other side. In the winter we always insulate around it, but have to remove it for use in the summer.
any suggestions are appreciated.
We live in the midwest and it is currently quite hot and quite humid. The main level doesnt require for the ac unit to run all the often. However, the second level requires that the ac run very frequently. (i.e. when it is hot the system will run for 10 minutes or so and then shut off for another ten, run for ten then shut off for ten.) you get the picture there.
I am wondering if this is normal or if it should be running less. I feel as though we have very adequate insulation upstairs, but am also wondering if this is just the nature of a 2nd story... Our second story is completely closed off from our 1st level, there is a closed door, so hot air from downstairs doesnt just constantly filter upstairs.
Also, we have an attic fan upstairs and I was wondering if it is possible for this fan to let in a large amount of hot air since there is no insulation on the other side. In the winter we always insulate around it, but have to remove it for use in the summer.
any suggestions are appreciated.
Sharp Advice
06-13-01, 08:04 PM
Hello Mica
I do not profess to be an A/C professional but I do have knowledge on zoned heating. Hopefully, one of our forum moderator professionals will also reply to your posting.
You mentioned having 1 {one} 4 ton unit. What needs to be known here is how many thermostats {T-stat} there are?
Reason. Each unit has to have it's on thermostat for it to work properly. Otherwise, two units on 1 T-stat would conflict with the other. Therefore, it is possible you may not have a true HVA/C zoned home.
Once we can establish how many t-stats there are, we can then determine how many units there are.
Also, need to know if is a combo heating and cooling unit or the upstairs unit is strictly an A/C unit only.
A/C units should not run less as you indicated nor cycle on and off every ten minutes. A/C units also dehumidify the air, therefore they need to run long enough to do that function also.
One unit, of that BTU size cycling that often will not dehumidify that quickly for a two story home even if the upper unit is small.
Although you write well and have clearly posted the information already here, more equipment details would help to better answer your question.
http://www.atozplumbing.com/HTMLobj-1247/aniGif.gif
A Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
I do not profess to be an A/C professional but I do have knowledge on zoned heating. Hopefully, one of our forum moderator professionals will also reply to your posting.
You mentioned having 1 {one} 4 ton unit. What needs to be known here is how many thermostats {T-stat} there are?
Reason. Each unit has to have it's on thermostat for it to work properly. Otherwise, two units on 1 T-stat would conflict with the other. Therefore, it is possible you may not have a true HVA/C zoned home.
Once we can establish how many t-stats there are, we can then determine how many units there are.
Also, need to know if is a combo heating and cooling unit or the upstairs unit is strictly an A/C unit only.
A/C units should not run less as you indicated nor cycle on and off every ten minutes. A/C units also dehumidify the air, therefore they need to run long enough to do that function also.
One unit, of that BTU size cycling that often will not dehumidify that quickly for a two story home even if the upper unit is small.
Although you write well and have clearly posted the information already here, more equipment details would help to better answer your question.
http://www.atozplumbing.com/HTMLobj-1247/aniGif.gif
A Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
06-13-01, 09:18 PM
Hope this information helps. We have one four ton unit for ac. We have a gas furnace. The home is zoned upstairs separate from the downstairs and the zoning is set up for both heating and cooling. (Everything is by lennox.) We have t-stat for both upstairs and downstairs.
Let me know if anything else might help...
Let me know if anything else might help...