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    BigBram04's Avatar
    BigBram04 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 10, 2009, 05:49 PM
    Too Hot Downstairs/Too Cold Upstairs
    I know this sounds funny but it is very true. My downstairs will be 80 and upstairs is like 65. I Live in Minot ND. It gets around -60 in the dead of winter. But I have a problem with heat upstairs, I have closed all of the vents downstairs and have all of the vents open in the upstairs. I live in a duplex w/out a basement. The furnace is on the floor with the living/family/kitchen/dining rooms. My thermostat is downstairs as well. I can never seem to get upstairs warm can someone help me. The house is brand new. I am the first person to own the house. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.
    twinkiedooter's Avatar
    twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 1054
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    #2

    Mar 10, 2009, 06:52 PM

    Do you have a staircase that is closed off at the first floor? I lived in a townhouse that had an open staircase to the second floor. I never had to turn the heat on upstairs as all the heat from the first floor went upstairs.

    You being the first owner may have to get a heating company to come and see how your ducting is arranged. Also, is the blower for the furnace blowing out any air on the second floor? The ductwork might need to be opened in hidden areas. Some new homes have louvers inside the ducts that can be opened and closed.
    KC13's Avatar
    KC13 Posts: 2,556, Reputation: 99
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    #3

    Mar 10, 2009, 07:52 PM
    The installing contractor should be obligated to address system problems for the first year. Your first call should be to them.
    david81's Avatar
    david81 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Mar 11, 2009, 12:41 PM

    Your temperature disparity seems extreme, but I had a similar situation a few years ago and was given the following advice from our heating/ac company that has made a world of difference. Hopefully you can give it a try before incurring any expense.

    1) Keep the fan running at all times (that is, turn the fan on the thermostat to "run" rather than "on"). This will continually move/mix the air throughout the house so the warmer air from the basement will mix with the cooler from upstairs and ultimately lead to more stable temps throughout the house. This solution costs virtually nothing as it's only the fan that is continually running.

    2) don't get into the game of opening/closing vents in certain areas in hopes of directing more air to other areas. This disrupts the air pressure the system was designed/set to handle and can while it can be somewhat effective it also puts stress on the ac/heating unit.

    Give it a shot!
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