Before you blame your duct work, it could be the air circulation.Current system is 15 years old. It does need to be replaced. 2nd story is more difficult to cool each summer. Ducting is part of the answer, to redirect the order the air flows to which rooms.
We have a very tall house (3 finished stories with high ceilings) and used to have a traditional HVAC system that turned on and off based on the thermostat. In the summer, the basement level was always freezing cold and the top level was always hot. We recently switched to a heat pump and the blower fan runs almost continuously at variable speeds. The air gets circulated constantly so now there is almost no temperature difference between the three floors. It's been a great change. Traditional systems turn on and cool the house quickly and then turn off. So the cold air doesn't get circulated well and you will inevitably have hot and cold spots.
If you don't want to go the heat pump route, I think some of the newer systems with variable speeds can achieve the same thing. Just ask your HVAC people about a blower that can run continuously. We initially looked at doing separate systems for upstairs and down, but it would have involved a lot of drywall cutting and re-doing of duct work, which would have cost a lot and been a major headache.
I'd definitely recommend getting your attic re-insulated if it isn't well insulated. That can make a huge difference in your energy bills. And many cities/states are offering big rebates to do energy efficiency upgrades, so check on that.
Also, if you don't want to go the two-system route, check out mini-splits for your upstairs sleeping areas. I know several people who have done that and are very happy. It's a lot easier to install, they are very efficient, and everyone can set the temp at what they want for their individual bedroom.
Statistics: Posted by NYCaviator — Sun Jul 07, 2024 9:23 am — Replies 4 — Views 381