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Gus_19 · Oct 14, 2009, 07:24 AM

My wife and I built this house two years ago. Since moving in, we've noticed Bedroom #2 get rather cold in the winter. Keeping the bedroom door open helps keep the room a bit warmer, but nothing like the other bedrooms. We've shut a lot of the registers around the house except for the bedrooms to see if that would help, but no avail. Even though they are new windows, I've even put the film on them and still no luck. Talking to my brother, we've wondered if it is because that room is on the northwest corner with winds this time of year normally coming from that direction, but a bit leary about that theory. The only other reason we think it may be that is because the sun doesn't really hit the room/windows during the day. There is a window to the north and a bigger window at the front facing the west. The home is 1809 sq/ft with the 75,000 BTU furnace on LP in the center of the home directing below the half-wall dividing the living room and kitchen.

I've included a real cheesy layout of our home on this message to help give a better idea. We currently live in a very rural farm community while not having any sort of trees to block any wind at this time. Bedroom #1 on the same end of the house, but facing the northeast stays warm as well. Our master bedroom has no trouble staying warm, though it has two registers, we've closed one even. I've put a digital thermometer in the room and noticed it does stay 2-3 degrees cooler than other rooms.Does anyone have any suggestions to what I could try next to get the room feeling a bit warmer?

hvac1000 · Oct 14, 2009, 07:39 AM

Your problem stems from a very poor design of the duct work.No matter what you do the problem will not be cured by closing off registers in other room trying to force more heat into the colder room or other such quick cures. The problem is basic misapplication of duct size and CFM flow into the offending area.

Lets get to the bottom of the problem.

Was a manual D done on the structure so a accurate duct layout could designed to prevent this problem?

Was a manual J done to accurately size the equipment allowing for window/door sizes/insulation and directional facing of the home?

Were the ducts installed properly with full joint closure, properly attached and sealed?

Were volume dampers installed in the duct to allow small corrections for air flow?

These are just a few questions that need to be answered in order to be able to find the design flaw of the duct system causing this temperature difference,

Now the simple solution is to just put a small electric heater in that room and use it when occupied. This will save a lot of $$$ since you will not have to tear the house apart to make corrections to the duct system.

Gus_19 · Oct 14, 2009, 01:11 PM

I really don't know if a manual D or J was done for the duct work. I'm pretty sure there are no dampers, but do know everything appears to be properly sealed and connected. As of now, I do have access to most of the duct work since I have not finished off the ceiling to my basement. I was pretty sure someone was going to suggest the temporary electric heater, I was just curious as to why it was like this. Would this be something to bring to the HVAC company that installed everything?

hvac1000 · Oct 14, 2009, 01:25 PM

Would this be something to bring to the HVAC company that installed everything?

Sure they are responsible for your comfort and you paid them to do the work properly.

Gus_19 · Oct 14, 2009, 02:08 PM

I did find a damper going to that bedroom. The wing nut was a little loose although I know you said a damper would only fix a small part of the problem. The duct work layout is pretty much a "T" on that side of the house looking closer at it. I'm no expert, but that seems to be the shortest route possible through the TJI's for the air to enter that room. As for the 1st bedroom which is the same layout, it is always warm and comfortable like the rest of the house.

hvac1000 · Oct 14, 2009, 02:12 PM

Just make sure the damper is open all the way going to the room with the problem. If the damper was close to being closed off it will make a difference. You should still contact the installer.

Gus_19 · Oct 18, 2009, 05:13 PM

I did check the damper after finally locating one. The wingnut was loose and ended up tightening it. Everything seems to be working great now, but like you recommended, I will be placing a call out to the HVAC guys that installed the system. Thanks for your help!

hvac1000 · Oct 18, 2009, 06:05 PM

No problem glad you got it working.