Forced-Air Balancing ?

[CGY_GUY]

Hello all

I am looking at getting my (2006) new home's duct work balanced. Currently, it is ~5C cooler upstairs than on the main level during the course of the winter.

I have barely any airflow coming out of the ducts in the bedrooms upstairs. I hunted around looking for the dampers and found one or two, but the aren't on the ones going upstairs. I am obviously a n00b at this, so I would like to know:

1) Who does a great job balancing airflow in Calgary?

2) What's a reasonable price for this work?

[Methanolic]

Maybe try this before call an HVAC Co.


Are that dampers you did locate for your main floor?

If so, damp those ones down a bit, this will effect air flow on your upper level. You can also adjust (close) the dampers in various Hot air vents on the main level. And leave your fan setting on your thermostat to "ON" not "AUTO", when the furnace fan is continuously blowing it will circulate the warm air throughout your house, also good for preventing moisture build up on windows.

Also, your thermostat location (likely on the main floor) has a lot to do with this. When your main floor has reached the desired temperature, the furnace will no longer call for heat.

[Pinner]

Should be warmer upstairs, don't you have free airflow going up the stairs ? I agree with Meth's post.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

And leave your fan setting on your thermostat to "ON" not "AUTO"

Won't that draw outside air into the house continually? If that cold air gets circulated I would think the furnace would have to run more often as a result.

[Pinner]

No, no it won't silly

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Won't that draw outside air into the house continually? If that cold air gets circulated I would think the furnace would have to run more often as a result.

Just circulates the inside air.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Won't that draw outside air into the house continually? If that cold air gets circulated I would think the furnace would have to run more often as a result.

very minimal. The "Ventilation Fan" is the killer and there is a misconception that people think using it in winter will help with condensation issues and moving the warm air throughout the house. What it is actually doing is changing the air in the house, sucking in cold and blowing out warm thus making the furnace call for heat far more often than necessary.

[lucky1]

first off, check the amount of insulation in the attic....best and cheapest thermal upgrade you can do.....
secondly, as a poster mentioned, the furnace is responding to the thermostat, which is generally mounted on an internal wall on the main floor.....probably an area which heats up pretty quick.....pinch back or close the floor registers in this area, try and get this area to represent the actual temp
Third, if your house is like mine, the basement is very warm, close most of the registers down there...
have a look and see if there is an air/air exchanger on the fresh air intake and outoing vent air....if so, the incoming air is heated somewhat.....
the upper floors on a house are always the coldest, long runs of ductwork=higher pressure drops in the system=less flow......air flow is like water, very prefferential

[Pinner]

Make sure the return air vents upstairs are not blocked by furniture etc. It's hard to get the hot air up there without the return vents helping draw it up.

[Chingas]

I find this method to be an effective way of warming the upstairs, however a good insurance policy is a pre-requisite.