AirFlow and Ductwork in Older House (how much, roof, furnace, windows)

[bonds77]

Our house is a two story, standard 1930's farmhouse. Our current furnace is about 20-25 years old, and runs, but starts and stops frequently. It sounds like it is "warming up".

My real issue is the upstairs area- there is one heat exchange for two rooms- one quite large, and the other smaller. These are both bedrooms, and are almost always cold in winter and hot in summer.

What are my options here? I can't see anywhere to install more ductwork. Electric space heaters are costly to run. I'm not so sure a newer furnace would help.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

[rubytue]

Originally Posted by bonds77

My real issue is the upstairs area- there is one heat exchange for two rooms- one quite large, and the other smaller. These are both bedrooms, and are almost always cold in winter and hot in summer.

Not sure I can help, but you may want to clarify this. I can't tell for certain if you are saying there are two registers, period. How large is large? How small is small? Where are the registers located? One in each room? But gut says the small one is the heat output and the large one is the return, but I don't know.

The reason I ask some of this - I once lived in a small, 1930s bungalow. It had one register for the whole house (2 bedroom, 1 bath, register was in the living room). The register was about 2' x 3'. Yes, thats feet. Was like a taking a steam bath to stand on top of it, but very cold in the bedrooms. Twas a rental, so we didn't do anything but use space heaters. Anyway, my point is there are large registers (normal return size - 12x18"-ish), and then there are LARGE registers. LOL

[Racelady88]

How much insulation is in the attic? Many older homes are not adequately insulated.

If there is enough room to crawl between your ceiling and the roof there is room to put more ductwork. Also, check the existing ductwork to make sure it is not leaking. If mice have gnawed it open or something has come unattached then the air is not flowing where it should.

[bonds77]

There appears to be enough insulation in the attic. Our bedroom is, I would say, about 400 sq. ft. The baby room is only about 150 sq ft. These two share a register.

Our bedroom has 6 windows, all about 35 years old, not great on efficiency. I did check the ductwork in the basement, it dosen't seem to be leaking. The furnace continues to start and stop, as if it can't decide if it wants to be on or off...

[car957]

Have an air balance test performed. It may be possible that some dampers are closed or have obstructed flows. Look in the Yellow Pages under Air Balance or Air Balance Testing .

[K'ledgeBldr]

If your current system is 20-25yo- it could definitely be inefficient. By the description you're giving it sounds as if it could be the thermostat that acting up (wire connections, etc.). If the furnance is on and off. Check that. Then the next thing I'd check is your fuel source, make sure there is no obstruction/ clogged, corroded service line. The only other thing I can think of is the thermo-couple, but I don't see any correlation between the two.
If all else fails- call the man!

[bonds77]

These are all very good suggestions, and I appreciate it!!

I have been told by a furnace man that it could be a clogged service line. The thermostat is actually quite new, and I don't think this is causing the problem, as it dosen't click on and off.

The first thing I did was get out the good 'ole plastic covering and cover all the windows upstairs. It seems to have helped at least one degree. The other- I have that furnace guy across the street, he's due for a visit.

Thanks!!