Three years in new house and heat miserable!!

[dtoneill]

I bought a new house three years ago--and everyone who has worked on it is out of business. Here's my issue--second floor heating system. Heil builder grade single stage. Puts out 1600 cfm, duct work has 1975 cfm supply and 1400 cfm return. The issues is heat is poor on one side of the house. One contractor says I have two options: redo all ductwork or add additional return; the other contractor feels I should add two additional zones with damper--to release excess heat/or ac into the attic. Total sq. ft of upper level approx. 1800 sq ft. Would appreciate any and all ideas. Thanks!!

[catmanacman]

I would probably agree with redoing the duct also have never seen just adding a couple returns solve a duct problem.a zone system Is fine if the duct is sized correctly

[genduct]

where did you get this info?
Where are you located?

[cuchulain]

how do you know it's putting out 1600cfm? Did another Tech measure it to give you that number or is it just a guess? if it is putting out 1600 cfm and you only have 1400cfm of incoming air then you've turned your blower into a "sucker". with 200cfm less air coming in then going out it can not push enough air across the exchanger and therefore into the house. 2nd is if you have 1600cfm pushing out of the unit but have 1975 cfm of supply then it's not filling the ducts up to capacity, and air will take the path of least resistance and not in equal amounts.

short of the matter is redo the ductwork, add more return, confirm your cfm output.

[Texas-Tech]

hummmm, how bout a model #, some static pressure test results, ra size etc, something.

[udarrell]

I think he is just saying the supply ducting & return ducting is sized to handle those amounts of airflow.(?)

There are many other factors involved besides simple duct sizes - that affect the amount of airflow within ducts & where it is going to & coming from...:grin2:

You need someone that knows how to test duct systems, & that can make all required changes indicated by all the tests.

*silkysean needs to get his * because he is right; the home needs a Home energy efficiency rater/audit & get the work performed...

Read ALL the rules & Apply for your * ASAP.

[jpsmith1cm]

silkysean,

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