Hey all! I have a 2700sqft home that is two stories half of that is upstairs and half down. I have a 4 year old 5 ton all in one AC/Heat unit and only one return in the house which is downstairs.

I have been getting estimates on getting a second return put in upstairs along with a zone system so that I can control the temperature upstairs better. All in all it sounds freaking fantastic for not a fortune of money (although its still expensive).

Of my best bids one uses Honeywell and a little higher bid uses Carrier.
The Honeywell one they said only has open and closed states on the dampeners and the two thermostats are non-programmable.
The Carrier one they said each dampener has 8 levels of dampening for much better controls and both the up and down thermostats will be programmable along with giving me addition information about the air flow, temps, etc.

Is the Carrirer worth the extra money?
Are these both good brands?
Does anyone have the manufacturer websites for them?
Are there any brands that I should make sure to stear clear of?
All information is appretiated!

Thanks!
--Cameron

Sounds like the carrier guy is talking about VAV (variable air volume) boxes. Honywell can install them too, just ask. They do afford you more control.
I think they are about the same in quality, as I've not heard anything too badly or either one.

If you install only one return upstairs, lets say in the hallway... each bedroom will have hot air trapped in them, especially if you keep the door shut.

You can either branch return ducts into each bedroom (never return air from bathrooms, laundry rooms, or kitchens)... or, you could simply put one large return in the hallway and install "back to back" grills above the bedroom doors. Basically, they are just an open hole above the door, disguised with a grill on each side, to allow the return in the hallway to suck the hot air out of each bedroom.

I don't know very much about the various zoning systems, but I expect that all of them will eventually be problematic. Its like anything else, the more complex you make a system, the more there is to break down.

Best of luck to you.


Magicman