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Started By
Message
A/C Unit
Posted on 8/25/24 at 5:43 pm
Posted on 8/25/24 at 5:43 pm
Stupid question, but hey, I'll ask anyway. So, this is our first NEW home, meaning that nobody has lived in it prior to us and built in 2021. Sq footage 2700.
I find that our A/C struggles to cool the upstairs (only 1 room about 250 sq ft & also above the garage), and sometimes the larger rooms like the living room. We have very high ceilings (15' tall).
Anyway, so, can you just purchase a new unit that is slightly larger that will cool better or does the entire A/C duct work need to be adjusted/rated for it? Also, the unit isn't old so I wonder if we could trade it in for a new one and pay the difference?
I find that our A/C struggles to cool the upstairs (only 1 room about 250 sq ft & also above the garage), and sometimes the larger rooms like the living room. We have very high ceilings (15' tall).
Anyway, so, can you just purchase a new unit that is slightly larger that will cool better or does the entire A/C duct work need to be adjusted/rated for it? Also, the unit isn't old so I wonder if we could trade it in for a new one and pay the difference?
15
Posted on 8/25/24 at 5:49 pm to JRE1980
Not an HVAC pro but my hunting buddy is and I've asked him this before. It doesn't matter if you upgrade to a larger capacity unit if the duct work cannot handle the increased air flow, according to him.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 6:03 pm to JRE1980
Sounds like you just need to adjust some dampers in the ductwork. They. can probably just pinch back on some ducts to force more air to the warm rooms.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 6:36 pm to JRE1980
Definitely check the dampers and the flex duct. We built our home and a few rooms had the same issue. I found the flex duct was crimped in several spots.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 6:53 pm to JRE1980
quote:
I find that our A/C struggles to cool the upstairs
The reason I will not have a two story house.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 6:58 pm to GB1017LSU
quote:
We built our home and a few rooms had the same issue. I found the flex duct was crimped in several spots.
And just one more reason I would never have flex duct in my home.
When I put the A/C in my old N.O. house I put in my own ductwork and used round Joval steel pipe with each joint screwed and taped together and applied the foil back insulation to it. It is hung from the roof rafters to keep it nice and level from unit to ceiling grill boxes.
The inside of the pipe is smooth, so air flows easily as opposed to that coiled interior of the Flex Duct that causes air resistance.
Another good point is no rat, squirrel or other critter can chew through the duct work and have my attic being air conditioned due to damage----and I've seen that happen more than once.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 6:58 pm to JRE1980
Hire an experienced AC tech to evaluate your situation. Could be faulty duct work, duct work that is not connected properly or may have disconnected from vents.
Warm rooms are not dealt with by pushing more cold air into the space. You need to get return air vents installed near or in the space that is warmer than the other spaces.
Warm rooms are not dealt with by pushing more cold air into the space. You need to get return air vents installed near or in the space that is warmer than the other spaces.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 7:03 pm to JRE1980
Consider a mini split for the upstairs room.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 7:04 pm to JRE1980
You probably need someone to check out your system and make sure it is sized correctly. I assume you have a 5-ton unit based on the size of your home. But the space above the garage should be insulated under the floor and if it is not it will be difficult to cool.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 8:06 pm to JRE1980
Firstly, 2 story houses suck in the south.....cooling upstairs will always be an issue. super good insulation in a must, and most builders don't do that.
the cooler you keep the downstairs, the easier to cool the upstairs....but that unit will run almost non stop in the hard summertime days.
Good Luck!
the cooler you keep the downstairs, the easier to cool the upstairs....but that unit will run almost non stop in the hard summertime days.
Good Luck!
Posted on 8/25/24 at 8:20 pm to oldskule
quote:
2 story houses suck in the south.....cooling upstairs will always be an issue. super good insulation in a must, and most builders don't do that.
This and x10 if a "bonus" room is added. Knee wall with r-12 insulation that backs up to a 130* attic, vaulted ceilings with difficult to insulate rafter bays.
It can be done right but its not near as easy as the first story.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 9:02 pm to JRE1980
Mini split as suggested above is your best option.
Posted on 8/25/24 at 9:05 pm to JRE1980
They often put the minimum spec'd unit in new builds in my experience. You should definitely have a 5 ton with 2700 sq ft if you are in the Deep South.
This post was edited on 8/25/24 at 9:06 pm
Posted on 8/25/24 at 10:12 pm to JRE1980
First thing you need to evaluate is if the room has a return. These vents suck the air from the room and send it back to the air conditioning system.
Even if you have a 10 ton unit, It won't matter if the room isn't properly ventilated.
That means the room needs a supply (cold air in) and a return (warm air out) for proper a/c function.
Even if you have a 10 ton unit, It won't matter if the room isn't properly ventilated.
That means the room needs a supply (cold air in) and a return (warm air out) for proper a/c function.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 1:22 am to JRE1980
OP, this is going to disappoint you but...
If your home inspection didn't include a thermal imaging scan I'd start there. It would blow your mind how many new build houses have major insulation issues.
You can get a cheap flir thermal imaging cam for your phone for less than $300 off amazon, that will do what you need.
I've helped plenty of friends that have had issues, and have seen several houses where whole rooms/areas of the attic space were not insulated correctly.
If your home inspection didn't include a thermal imaging scan I'd start there. It would blow your mind how many new build houses have major insulation issues.
You can get a cheap flir thermal imaging cam for your phone for less than $300 off amazon, that will do what you need.
I've helped plenty of friends that have had issues, and have seen several houses where whole rooms/areas of the attic space were not insulated correctly.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 5:29 am to JRE1980
I believe your insulation is as critical as your A/C unit specifics.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 8:05 am to Major Dutch Schaefer
quote:
The reason I will not have a two story house.
I have a 2-story house and it is the most comfortable house I have ever been in but I also have a zone control for each level so that the temperature on each level is exactly where I want it.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 8:47 am to JRE1980
No easy fixed op except buying a $300 window unit and moving on with life, seriously.
I’d get MULTIPLE HVAC companies including the company that installed it out to see what they suggest. There will be a considerable amount of selling going on that you may not need, so you want multiple opinions imo.
I’d get MULTIPLE HVAC companies including the company that installed it out to see what they suggest. There will be a considerable amount of selling going on that you may not need, so you want multiple opinions imo.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 4:23 pm to JRE1980
quote:
Anyway, so, can you just purchase a new unit that is slightly larger that will cool better or does the entire A/C duct work need to be adjusted/rated for it? Also, the unit isn't old so I wonder if we could trade it in for a new one and pay the difference?
No - b/c as has been stated if the house HVAC & associated duct work was sized for a smaller sized unit, you will not get increased cooling capacity with a larger tonnage without an increased sizing in the duct work. For example, increase a 4 ton unit to a 5 ton unit that still has duct work sized for a 4 ton unit, you are still only going to get 4 tons of cooling capacity.
HVAC professionals on professional HVAC message boards I peruse almost universally state 2 stories, 2 HVAC systems. And though a single HVAC system, properly zoned, can do the job, I’m under the impression that finding firms that can do a good job with zoned systems can be difficult.
Seems like the most common solution as already stated by several is installation of a mini-split HVAC & addition of insulation to the second floor area is the best solution.
Lastly also be aware that properly sized HVACs will have difficulty maintaining set point temperature when outdoor temperatures exceed design conditions for a region.
Hiring an independent residential energy auditor -building forensic investigator to assess the situation & offer-suggest solutions is usually the best approach.
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