Should another return be helpful for basement system?

[545GAlady]

Very observate. I'm proud of you. However, the dampers are already there regardless of how they are zoned. The only reason for more damper is if you add more supplies.

But a 8" run is equal to 2-6" runs so that is one way to reduce the damper costs. It just depends on how the room is laid out.

Thanks. Will several dampers be needed for the runs from the plenum?

[George2]

Do you ever leave your computer? You respond faster than anyone I know.

[545GAlady]

No. I just got on here because I've been gone for several hours. I'm not always on the computer, especially week days because I'm a substitute teacher.

[George2]

Thanks. Will several dampers be need for the runs from the plenum?

I'm not sure that I understand your question. Every supply will need to have a damper IF you want to control the airflow for that supply run.

I do have a supply in my house that I let blow "wild". In other words, it is never restricted and that was designed that way on purpose.

[545GAlady]

Oh sorry. I kinda get it. So does that mean that if having the basement zoned off from the first floor system will only require very few dampers like for example 2 dampers (one for the basement, one for the first floor)? I don't know much about zoning. I'm still trying to learn about it and I'm still confused.

[George2]

Oh sorry. So does that mean that if having the basement zoned off from the first floor system will only require very few dampers like for example 2 dampers (one for the basement, one for the first floor)? I don't know much about zoning. I'm still trying to learn about it and I'm confused.

Okay, sorry, it seems elementary to me. Here is how it goes (generally), there are exceptions, of course:

If you had 12 existing (supply) registers on the first floor and installed 8 new (suppl)registers for the basement, then you are going to have a total of 20 dampers.

Now, once the dampers are in place, you may, depending on the layout of the home, have 4 zones without adding dampers. Understand better?

[George2]

Oh sorry. I kinda get it. So does that mean that if having the basement zoned off from the first floor system will only require very few dampers like for example 2 dampers (one for the basement, one for the first floor)? I don't know much about zoning. I'm still trying to learn about it and I'm still confused.

You're confused? That's understandable. Call around to different HVAC guys and you won't feel alone.

[545GAlady]

Okay, sorry, it seems elementary to me. Here is how it goes (generally), there are exceptions, of course:

If you had 12 existing (supply) registers on the first floor and installed 8 new (suppl)registers for the basement, then you are going to have a total of 20 dampers.

Now, once the dampers are in place, you may, depending on the layout of the home, have 4 zones without adding dampers. Understand better?

Thanks for the information. I understand a whole lot better. So we have 6 supply runs coming out of the first floor system and 5 supply runs coming out of the basement system. This means that 11 dampers will have to be installed.

[George2]

I need to read and then take my (beauty) nap. I'll respond to your posts a little later. Don't worry.

You are fun to "talk" to. I have always appreciated people that want to learn and are open to new ideas.

[545GAlady]

That's fine. Right now I don't have anything else to say, but that could change.

[tipsrfine]

Not to intrude here, but have you considered how much air leakage you have at your rim joists? This is a major source of air leakage. That drop ceiling is not going to stop it either. The best first step regarding comfort & energy use in a home is to find out if your home has excessive air leakage and perhaps insulation issues, resolve those issues first, and then move on to equipment concerns.

[545GAlady]

tipsrfine thanks. I can see how that should be checked first. We have had our insulation inspected last summer.

[tipsrfine]

Did you have your homes air leakage tested, with a blower door test?