I need help and guidance.
Right now, the third floor is 79 degrees, the second floor is 71 degrees, and the first floor is 62 degrees.
The house has two units -- a big one for the first and second floors, and a smaller one for the third. The house was built in 2005. It stays perfectly cool all summer. This past month, our electric bill was double what it was in July. The heat runs constantly, but the first floor stays cold on cold days. It feels like the air blasts out of the system on the second floor, but barely any air comes out of registers on the first floor.
I have tried shutting all the registers on the second floor, but that hasn't helped. Has anyone dealt with similar issues in their houses? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Replies
33
Beach Fanatic
I need help and guidance.
Right now, the third floor is 79 degrees, the second floor is 71 degrees, and the first floor is 62 degrees.
The house has two units -- a big one for the first and second floors, and a smaller one for the third. The house was built in 2005. It stays perfectly cool all summer. This past month, our electric bill was double what it was in July. The heat runs constantly, but the first floor stays cold on cold days. It feels like the air blasts out of the system on the second floor, but barely any air comes out of registers on the first floor.
I have tried shutting all the registers on the second floor, but that hasn't helped. Has anyone dealt with similar issues in their houses? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Sounds to me like you've got a problem with your big unit downstairs. Time to call a repair man!
Beach Fanatic
Heat rises so compartmentalize your house, like a ship. In other words shut all your doors. Check the batteries in the thermostat because if they are bad they will give a false reading. Adjust or close the registers on the second floor to make the first floor warmer. Also if ya have a lot of windows your gonna loose heat. The BIG one is the weather stripping around the doors, it's a no brainier when ya feel the cooled air coming in. On a more technical note it helps to know if it's a heat pump in one unit and a heat strip in the other handler. And last but not least check out side to see if the fan is running on both unit if ones running an one isn't bingo there's your problem. Get all this? Let me know if any of this helps.
Beach Fanatic
Sounds to me like you've got a problem with your big unit downstairs. Time to call a repair man!
Call Dennis Padgett 850-259-4839
he was very helpful when I was having problems with my unit...
he has very fair prices too.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Okay, all second floor registers are closed, and they are making a howling, whistling noise. I can stand directly under the register with my hand up on the first floor and feel nothing.
Both units are working. After an hour turned up to 80 degrees (as an experiment, Skunky, don't fuss at me!) the temps are 3 -- 82, 2 -- 76, 1 -- 58.
When the register is open, the master bedroom (2nd floor) gets blasting hot in like 30 seconds.
The house does have a big open staircase that is open to all three floors, so the air flows between them. I was wondering if maybe the system was designed to route the air to the second floor in the summer? Could there be some switch to redirect air to the first floor?
Both units are working. After an hour turned up to 80 degrees (as an experiment, Skunky, don't fuss at me!) the temps are 3 -- 82, 2 -- 76, 1 -- 58.
When the register is open, the master bedroom (2nd floor) gets blasting hot in like 30 seconds.
The house does have a big open staircase that is open to all three floors, so the air flows between them. I was wondering if maybe the system was designed to route the air to the second floor in the summer? Could there be some switch to redirect air to the first floor?
SoWal Guide
I advise you to stay on the third floor all winter long. you have a wonderful great room up there. you just need to add a little fridge, a coffee pot, some wine glasses, etc. you can go in the kitchen only when necessary to quickly prepare foods. but, perhaps you can order out most of the winter.
Skunky
Its all those damn windows and drafty doors on the first floor. 
SoWal Expert
Short term fix - turn on the ceiling fans on the 3rd floor to drive the hottest air down the open stairs onto the 1st floor.
Long term fix - repairman 'cuz your 1st floor unit or ductwork is messed up.
Long term fix - repairman 'cuz your 1st floor unit or ductwork is messed up.
SoWal Guide
Its all those damn windows and drafty doors on the first floor.
we have the same thing going on over here. plus the high elevation of the house seems to invite cold air from all directions.
fartblossom
you people don't know what cold air is 
our themostat is set on 64 right now. because i got the gas bill last week. mr audie is finally becoming numb to the old he says. if he doesn't quit b!tching, i'm gonna turn it down to 62.SoWal Guide
evil audie!
you so hot you can keep both of you warm!
Christini Zambini
Punzy,
Make sure all of your filters are clean and have been replaced in the last month. It makes a HUGE difference in how effectively your heat pumps work.
Make sure all of your filters are clean and have been replaced in the last month. It makes a HUGE difference in how effectively your heat pumps work.
Skunky
UPDATE-Last night I shut all the blinds over the windows and doors downstairs. This morning when I came down I noticed it to be much warmer than the last few days-I bet it was about 70. Now, the Punz will open said blinds upon awakening today (to combat the gloom) and it will get cold again, but I think we know what the issue is.
Beach FanaticAuthor
UPDATE-Last night I shut all the blinds over the windows and doors downstairs. This morning when I came down I noticed it to be much warmer than the last few days-I bet it was about 70. Now, the Punz will open said blinds upon awakening today (to combat the gloom) and it will get cold again, but I think we know what the issue is.
The Prince of Darkness is convinced that if we keep the blinds closed and don't turn on a light then all problems will be solved. Perhaps we should get some goth candleabras and red velvet furnishings and paint all the walls black for extra coziness.
SoWal Expert
The windows do remove much heat in the winter, but Punzy mentioned that the hot air barely blows out the vents one first floor. I think there may be a Nutria stuck in the vents. Seriously, you need to find out why the air is not coming out the vents on 1st floor, when you have the second floor vents closed.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Hey Rapunzel what part of Pt .w do you live in? I live in the middle part. Send me A message and maybe I could stop by and at least look. I will be watching my Daughter so of course she will have to be my assistant.
SoWal Expert
greenroomsurfer, how many three story homes are in Pt Washington? I can think of zero. Cancel that. I can think of one. Punzy moved.
Beach Fanatic
I'm 2 stories but I'm way up in the trees. I think possibly the largest tree house in SoWal. The 3rd Story is coming I will the have bay view and ocean view.
SoWal Expert
greenroomsurfer, how many three story homes are in Pt Washington? I can think of zero. Cancel that. I can think of one. Punzy moved.
They need to move back to the 'hood along with my other former neighbor. :roll:
SoWal Expert
Just thought of one more 3 story home in your hood, GRS.
SoWal Insider
I know where they live and since I believe the front of the house faces north, based on their surroundings the sun is going to be blocked from warming up the first floor this time of year. I think. And that tends to make the swings in temperature even more vast.
But yes, it still sounds like you are having trouble with the unit.
But yes, it still sounds like you are having trouble with the unit.
percy
The Prince of Darkness is convinced that if we keep the blinds closed and don't turn on a light then all problems will be solved. Perhaps we should get some goth candleabras and red velvet furnishings and paint all the walls black for extra coziness.I hear floor-length black velvet capes are really warm.
SoWal Insider
I hear floor-length black velvet capes are really warm.
Extra heavy eyeliner keeps you warm as well.
SoWal Expert
I hear floor-length black velvet capes are really warm.
Extra heavy eyeliner keeps you warm as well.
:funn:That would be "guyliner" for Skunky.
bean
:funn:That would be "guyliner" for Skunky.
Last night on AI, Randy acted like he had never heard that term before. I found that strange since he's in the music industry.
Oh the mental image I have of Punzy and Skunky at home lounging on their red velvet and black flowing capes...
SoWal Expert
Last night on AI, Randy acted like he had never heard that term before. I found that strange since he's in the music industry.
Oh the mental image I have of Punzy and Skunky at home lounging on their red velvet and black flowing capes...
Man, I wish I had photoshop skillz.Checking your forum account
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