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Heat and A/C on 2nd Floor

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by Capricorn1964, May 30, 2011.

  1. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Has anyone been having the same situation where the second floor is over 80 degrees even though the A/C is running during the day? In the evening, the floor finally cools down to the set temperature on the A/C. I am wondering if the extreme temperatures outside during the day (I saw it was 98-100 degrees today) makes it very difficult for the second floor to cool down. The main floor has no problems staying cool (probably because its sandwiched between the second floor and the basement)... Any ideas as to why the second floor is extremely warm during the day even when the A/C is running?

    Thanks to all who respond.
     
  2. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    well - heat rises is the main reason

    but without more information on what your house's HVAC setup is.. people can't say much except the typical energy conservation stuff. Close blinds, close doors, etc.

    Some houses here have two AC units.. some have one... some have split zone controls.. without knowing what yours is.. can't say much intelligently
     
  3. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    I have two AC units....One of my A/C unit is in the attic and the other one is in the basement.


     
  4. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    We finally had Home Despot (F.H. Furr) come out and install custom duct work in the attic. It has made a HUGE difference!
     
  5. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    What kind of custom duct work did they do??? Did they use the flexible ducts or the hard square ducts? Did it set you guys back some serious $$$?
     
  6. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    Our second floor unit developed a leak in the coils and would not cool, Goodman unit. Ours gets below 80 during the day no problem.

    If you're covered by a home warranty (AHS or similar) do not pay to dispose of the old unit, they may try to get you for another $75.
     
  7. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    I do not understand what you meant by "do not pay to dispose of the old unit, etc..." Can you explain?
     
  8. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Just adding a bit more info...The attic is not extremely hot at this point now...but I am wondering if the A/C unit needs more freon?
     
  9. wolf685cln

    wolf685cln New Member

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    Typically there's a damper coming off of the main duct to route airflow to the top/bottom that needs to be seasonally adjusted. Did you check that?
     
  10. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    We used to have that problem. We have two units and the one for the upstairs needed freon added every year, which is not normal. Finally we had the unit replaced with a more efficient one and along with that the ductwork was checked and adjusted. The company found some of the duct sections shut off by dampers so they fixed that. Sometimes the A/C units aren't sized properly for your home's square footage and configuration. A larger unit isn't necessarily better, but you want one that is installed and configured properly. The brand name isn't as important as the quality of the installation.

    This time last year we had the work done by Climatic, a company that was recommended on the forums. I have high standards and was very impressed with the customer service and quality of work done by the company. Very professional and the VP of the company, Sonny Swann, has a degree in mechanical engineering, which gives him a leg up on some people. I had obsessively researched HVAC info and Sonny hit the mark on everything I had learned was important. There is a thread on this board with a lot of good information.

    If it were me (which it was last year!) I would have a good company come out and take a look.

    I also bought some insulated drapes for a room over the garage that gets a lot of afternoon heat (via the wall and being over the garage) which seems to help. Burlington Coat Factory and the Tuesday Morning store had good, inexpensive ones.
     
  11. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    The unit that is in your attic is the Furnace (for heat) not the AC unit... which will be outside. The compressors for the AC and the fan need to be outside to operate efficiently with air flow.

    And to help regulate temps better on your upper floors try to do what you can to cover windows... install window film/tint to control UV and heat as well. Use a programmable thermostat to evenly control temps.

    And I am curious about your Home Depot experience too.. what exactly did they do? I have a similar house to you and wondered what my options are with duct work... and what was the price range?
     
  12. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    attic units are often heat pumps.. which can work in reverse for cooling. Not sure if they are used that way.. ?

    We're lucky - both units are in the basement.
     
  13. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    It's all rigid, insulated duct work. The builders used the flexible stuff but hung it wrongd and the bit of rigid stuff wasn't sized correctly. I wantt o say it was $5K but then we got a large tax credit on it.
     
  14. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    That is GREAT that you got the tax credit...That always is a big help!
     
  15. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Yep, that is correct. My attic unit works for both heating AND cooling. I know because I went up there and the unit was running for the cooling as well...The top part was running (not the furnace part)...so you are right that its for both cooling and heating.

    Lucky YOU that both are in the basement. Its ridiculous that VM put one in the attic because it can get VERY hot in the attic and the a/c would, IMHO, operate more efficiently if it was in the basement.
     
  16. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Wouldn't know if there is a damper in my attic duct work but I do know that all of the vents in the upstairs are blowing air....what I did this AM is to put the blinds down on all the windows upstairs where the sun is hitting the most. I'll bet that will help cool things down a bit....otherwise leaving the blinds open will just let all that heat in. I don't think the windows that I have are really that energy efficient....VM was pretty cheap in its building process.
     
  17. Steve Campot

    Steve Campot Broadlands Real Estate Broker

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    Make sure your air filter is replaced/cleaned on a regular basis. A dirty air filter can cause the unit to cool poorly or not at all.

    Good luck!
     
  18. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Yup, we religiously change it every 90 days or if it gets dirty earlier. I honestly think it has to do with the Goodman brand...I keep hearing on the forums that this manufacturer put out a poor quality...
     
  19. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    I think they were trying to imply you could not throw it away. Not sure if that is accurate but is what they said. The warranty company probably pays them a minimum so maybe it is a way for them to make a little more money.

    Someone at work said I could get money from a recycling place. It's the thing with fins (aluminum probably) and pipes running through it, maybe the size of a microwave.
     
  20. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Interesting...but it would be a helluva of a job to get the old unit down from the attic short of taking it all apart...I haven't even seen an unit be taken down through the attic stairs yet....but I imagine it would be difficult to do so. Correct me if Im wrong....
     

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