Author Topic: HVAC (heating and AC) question  (Read 59678 times)

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #120 on: August 09, 2018, 10:18:40 AM »
I was considering this. I guess I just wanted to do it in a way that's easy to switch back and forth, just in case.

I've only been a homeowner for a week now, so I'm still getting used to the whole "it's my house I can do whatever I want" mentality.
Maybe you will get lucky and have a spot were two sections meet in the closet. Easy to separate there.
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Offline ckmk47

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #121 on: August 09, 2018, 10:19:39 AM »
I was considering this. I guess I just wanted to do it in a way that's easy to switch back and forth, just in case.

It's worth preserving the abiity to turn it back on up there.  You'll iy"H need those rooms as bedrooms.
Being able to switch back and forth would be even better. Think guest rooms.
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Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #122 on: August 09, 2018, 10:20:15 AM »
Maybe you will get lucky and have a spot were two sections meet in the closet. Easy to separate there.

Nah I checked. Only close to the ceiling and close to the floor

Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #123 on: August 09, 2018, 10:22:16 AM »
It's worth preserving the abiity to turn it back on up there.  You'll iy"H need those rooms as bedrooms.
Being able to switch back and forth would be even better. Think guest rooms.

We're using them as bedrooms now. We've just accepted the fact that the central ac will never be good enough up there (unless we do major work) so we'll settle for window units.

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #124 on: August 09, 2018, 10:22:49 AM »
Nah I checked. Only close to the ceiling and close to the floor
Round or square duct work?
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Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #125 on: August 09, 2018, 10:23:58 AM »
Round or square duct work?

Square. Most of the dampers I've seen online are round. That would've been easier.

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #126 on: August 09, 2018, 10:29:32 AM »
Square. Most of the dampers I've seen online are round. That would've been easier.
If it was round I would say just cut it as it is easy to splice it later. You sure you can't separate it at the top or bottom? Usually held together with cleats. Two cleats slide off and it splits. The other two cleats stay on.
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Duct-connector-cleats-Duct-transitions-connectors-HVAC-duct-fittings-Heating-cooling/4294512225
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Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #127 on: August 09, 2018, 10:32:58 AM »
If it was round I would say just cut it as it is easy to splice it later. You sure you can't separate it at the top or bottom? Usually held together with cleats. Two cleats slide off and it splits. The other two cleats stay on.
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Duct-connector-cleats-Duct-transitions-connectors-HVAC-duct-fittings-Heating-cooling/4294512225

Interesting. Thanks

Remind me to check when I get home 😁

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #128 on: August 09, 2018, 10:37:11 AM »
Interesting. Thanks

Remind me to check when I get home 😁
When you get home and are not sure how to remove the cleats just ask.  ;)
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Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #129 on: August 09, 2018, 12:33:28 PM »
If I close off the supply duct leading upstairs, I should probably close off the return duct as well, just to keep it balanced, right?

Offline satturn

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #130 on: August 09, 2018, 12:45:18 PM »
If I close off the supply duct leading upstairs, I should probably close off the return duct as well, just to keep it balanced, right?
is there another return? Is it providing enough air for the smaller section?

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #131 on: August 09, 2018, 12:45:33 PM »
If I close off the supply duct leading upstairs, I should probably close off the return duct as well, just to keep it balanced, right?
That is a tricky one and beyond my pay grade. You have to be careful of starving the unit of air.
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Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #132 on: August 09, 2018, 12:47:44 PM »
is there another return? Is it providing enough air for the smaller section?

There is another return, but how would I know if it's providing enough air?

Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #133 on: August 09, 2018, 01:02:42 PM »
Each of the two bedrooms has one supply vent and one return vent (roughly the same size). Safe to assume that if I close both it will remain balanced?

Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #134 on: August 09, 2018, 02:19:06 PM »
Just did a little bit of research. It seems that my understanding of returns may have been wrong.

I had assumed that the system creates vacuum pressure in order to actively pull air into the returns. However, based on what I've read in a few places, it seems that it's the positive pressure from the supply ducts that forces the air into the return. If I close the supply ducts, there's nothing creating that positive pressure so I shouldn't have to close the return ducts.

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #135 on: August 09, 2018, 02:44:59 PM »
Just did a little bit of research. It seems that my understanding of returns may have been wrong.

I had assumed that the system creates vacuum pressure in order to actively pull air into the returns. However, based on what I've read in a few places, it seems that it's the positive pressure from the supply ducts that forces the air into the return. If I close the supply ducts, there's nothing creating that positive pressure so I shouldn't have to close the return ducts.
You want to try for a neutral balance with the proper amount of returns.
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Offline mercaz1

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #136 on: August 09, 2018, 03:03:28 PM »
does anyone have a recommendation for a hvac person who can remove mold? located in 5 towns if that makes a difference

Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #137 on: August 09, 2018, 03:04:20 PM »
You want to try for a neutral balance with the proper amount of returns.

What if I turn the return ducts into laundry chutes? Is that a good compromise?

Offline Meno

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #138 on: August 10, 2018, 08:03:54 AM »
When you get home and are not sure how to remove the cleats just ask.  ;)
Always love when new homeowners are not afraid to get their hands dirty. You will save tons of money!!!

Thanks to your reminders, I remembered to check when I got home. There are cleats on the bottom and top so I should be able to just remove the whole duct. It's painted over, so that might present some trouble, but I could probably do it.

I also checked the basement and it looks like there are some dampers already in there, but I haven't had time to figure out what leads where.

Thanks

Offline ChaimMoskowitz

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Re: HVAC (heating and AC) question
« Reply #139 on: August 10, 2018, 11:15:04 AM »
Thanks to your reminders, I remembered to check when I got home. There are cleats on the bottom and top so I should be able to just remove the whole duct. It's painted over, so that might present some trouble, but I could probably do it.

I also checked the basement and it looks like there are some dampers already in there, but I haven't had time to figure out what leads where.

Thanks
Wear gloves. A lot of razor sharp edges when dealing with sheet metal.
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