Help, cold bedrooms

[Stef127]

We Built our home 7 years ago, or rather, we hired a pro to build it, and are happy with the quality etc except for one major issue: the kids' bedrooms, which are on the opposite side from the furnace, are always significantly colder than the rest of the house. it's 1,900 sqare feet, one level. It's to the point when winter comes that they don't like to play in them because they're chilly. We've tried space heaters but don't like the safety aspect and would like a longterm fix. What should we do? any advise would be appreciated.

[Shophound]

The solution to your problem could be as simple as an air balancing issue, or more complex "thermal envelope" problems, which involve deficiencies in your house insulation levels and/or air leakage (outdoor air leaking into the house in the cold rooms).

I would investigate the air balance angle first, as that could bring relief faster. If you're a long range thinker I'd also consider having your house evaluated by an auditor with blower door and thermal image scanner to see if there are problems with your insulation levels or air leakage concerns.

[hearthman]

jtstuart, This is the Ask Our Pro's forum. In order to post advice here, you must have verified qualifications and have been approved by the AOP Committee. See my signature for links to register as a Pro and get your * before you can post in the AOP.

Your post will now be deleted.

[genduct]

I see this alot! and alot of contractors to save time and $$ do ventilation incorrectly! if you look at your ductwork the main trunk coming out of the funace that has smaller flex going to your vent should reduce in diameter about every 10 feet or so to maintain presure. you may not be getting any air flow to those vents. Try leaving those bedroom doors open during a heat call and seeing if that helps also. could be other issues as Shophound said above too.


What you suggested is not exactly true. Use my contact info and we can talk, Mike

[motoguy128]

I does sound like a balancing issue. Are some rooms too warm or noticeably warmer than the average?

There are many ways to balance a sytem.

If there is access to the ductwork, simple adding dampers at the branches with the most or too much airflow.

Another way is to install a more free flowing higher quality register. The cheap stampled steel registers are fine and abotu 1/5 the cost of good quality registers, but have a lot more resistance and mediocre "throw" so air isnt; mixed as well. Installing a better quality register on the coldest room can sometmes increase teh flow enough to that room to solve the problem.

[wahoo]

Are these rooms over a garage by any chance? How large are they and how many outlets do they have in each room and does each room have a return grill in it? If over a garage, is the garage ceiling insulated and is the ductwork in this garage insulated?:.02:

[Shophound]

Are these rooms over a garage by any chance? How large are they and how many outlets do they have in each room and does each room have a return grill in it? If over a garage, is the garage ceiling insulated and is the ductwork in this garage insulated?:.02:

OP said house is one level. But not whether it has a basement, crawl space, or is slab on grade.

OP, if you have a crawl space or basement, are either one exposed to the weather?

[Stef127]

Thanks for all of this info. and suggestions, everyone. No, rooms aren't over garage (as Shophound noted, we're all one level). The bedrooms are average size (about 11 foot square) and standard number of outlets - about three. Yes, each room has a return grill (on ceiling). Our home was built over a crawl space. There are little "vent thingy's" (sorry, don't know the technical term) mounted on the foundation blocks on the home's exterior that you can open and close according the season, and we always close them when the cold weather sets in. Both bedrooms are on the western-most edge of our home, with one on the north and one on the south and a bathroom in between. They are the furthest rooms in the house from our furnace. Our great room, which is just next door to the bedrooms, is warmer than the bedrooms which is amazing because the great room has much higher ceilings. I can tell a difference walking from it into the bedrooms.

[second opinion]

Thanks for all of this info. and suggestions, everyone. No, rooms aren't over garage (as Shophound noted, we're all one level). The bedrooms are average size (about 11 foot square) and standard number of outlets - about three. Yes, each room has a return grill (on ceiling). Our home was built over a crawl space. There are little "vent thingy's" (sorry, don't know the technical term) mounted on the foundation blocks on the home's exterior that you can open and close according the season, and we always close them when the cold weather sets in. Both bedrooms are on the western-most edge of our home, with one on the north and one on the south and a bathroom in between. They are the furthest rooms in the house from our furnace. Our great room, which is just next door to the bedrooms, is warmer than the bedrooms which is amazing because the great room has much higher ceilings. I can tell a difference walking from it into the bedrooms.

Do you know what type of duct work is in the crawl space? This could be a simple fix.

[motoguy128]

DO you mean is has 3 electrical outlets in each room or 3 supply registers for the furnace in each room? How many vents/registers are in each room Bedrooms, kitchen, LR that the warm air comes out of???

Does the systme run for a long time or does it only run for a couple minutes and then shut off?


Sort of sounds like a air balance issue caused by the duct layout... or possibly inadequate insulation on the ducts.