John Dirks Jr Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 At an inspection the other day I measured a 30 degree difference between registers near the furnace and ones farther away. I thought it best to let it run for a while too. I ran it for at least an hour. It was really toasty at one end of the house and somewhat chilly at the other and it wasn't even cold outside. After one hour of run time in 70 degree outside temps, I measured 95 degrees near the furnace and 64 degrees at the other end of the house. You could feel the temp drop as you walk from one end of the house to the other. Aside from the other concerns with Transite, do any of you measure this temp loss and report on it? I did on this inspection and think I will on others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Kienitz Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 Did you notice any dampers in any of the duct runs by any chance? One HVAC system with two T-Stats ... thus a zoned system due to design of home? Yes, I do occasionally take note of temperature variations. Especially new home construction or one year warranty or when I'm aware of a new HVAC system (AND duct) being installed. Data points for the report at the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 Uninsulated ducts in uninsulated slabs are wildly inefficient. I report it, absolutely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted October 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 Did you notice any dampers in any of the duct runs by any chance? One HVAC system with two T-Stats ... thus a zoned system due to design of home? Yes, I do occasionally take note of temperature variations. Especially new home construction or one year warranty or when I'm aware of a new HVAC system (AND duct) being installed. Data points for the report at the least. There were two zones. However, the second was installed when a second story was added and it serves the upstairs only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted October 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 Uninsulated ducts in uninsulated slabs are wildly inefficient. I report it, absolutely. The under slab stuff I see in my area usually runs close to the perimeter. I can imagine its gets exponentially less efficient when the ground freezes up in the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 I see them where they blow cold air in winter. Uninsulated ducts in unconditioned or uninsulated spaces are nothing but problems. Read the Joe L. stuff about ducts in attics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted October 22, 2016 Report Share Posted October 22, 2016 How do you have a second floor zone with a downdraft furnace? This house has in slab ductwork. It is known to harbor legionella, yours also probably contain asbestos. If you love the house I suggest you install alternative ductwork. If you love your family find a different house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leighton Jantz Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 Had the furnace ever been cleaned? I hate to admit it but early on when I was just a labourer in construction, after eating lunch leaning against a wall we would crumple up our lunch bags and stuff them down the ducting. (They were right there, so handy) I'm sure we weren't the only ones. [:-paperba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 We did the same with coke and beer cans, left them sitting on purlins in the wall cavities. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baird Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 A friend of mine opened a wall during some repair work and found a note in a jar from three carpenters. They listed their names and the date (1939) on a brown paper bag, and rolled the paper and wound it with string before sealing the top and stashing it in the cavity. Had the furnace ever been cleaned? I hate to admit it but early on when I was just a labourer in construction, after eating lunch leaning against a wall we would crumple up our lunch bags and stuff them down the ducting. (They were right there, so handy) I'm sure we weren't the only ones. [:-paperba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 Had the furnace ever been cleaned? I hate to admit it but early on when I was just a labourer in construction, after eating lunch leaning against a wall we would crumple up our lunch bags and stuff them down the ducting. (They were right there, so handy) I'm sure we weren't the only ones. [:-paperba The air volume was more than adequate so blockage is not the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie R Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 Could you stick your digital camera down in the duct to get any pictures? I did one once like that because of cooler air flow and found standing water in the duct. Recommended they get someone in with a sewer line camera to look and sure enough, the ducts were broken open. Also, that is a great way fro radon to get in a slab home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 That's a really good idea. I try to do it every time I find in slab ducts. I find water, or high water marks fairly often. Regarding stuffing things in ducts/walls..... we'd sign and nail a pair of work boots into a wall cavity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted October 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 Regarding stuffing things in ducts/walls..... we'd sign and nail a pair of work boots into a wall cavity. Phillip Smith would smell that and write it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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