I have heard this is a classic problem with older homes. We have Craftsman style home built in 1911. We cannot seem to heat or cool the upper floor very well. There are 3 bedrooms and a small bath surrounding a hallway with an open staircase. Only one bedroom has a return and the only other return is near the bottom of the staircase. The staircase has a door at the bottom and when kept closed the upstairs seems to warm or cool better.
My problem is that the outside walls were built with tile block all the way to the second story and the other available wall cavities that go to the basement are used for electrical, plumbing, and the existing ducting. Here is my question: The original chimney (unused-high eff furnace) sits in the upper hallway and is fairly close to the return air ducting in the basement. Could it be used as a return? It is brick with a clay tile liner. Does it need to be lined with new ducting? Should I use a high and low return or just one bigger return? Any other suggestions or areas of concern? Thanks.
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Bumpitty bump.
I've got a similar situation in my house and was wondering the same thing.
did
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>>The original chimney (unused-high eff furnace) sits in the upper hallway and is fairly close to the return air ducting in the basement. Could it be used as a return? It is brick with a clay tile liner.
First, be sure it's not used by the water heater!
Second, I'd want to have it WELL cleaned, esp if there was ever an oil burner connected to it.
Third, I'd still ask a local heating guy
Fighting Ignorance since 1967
It's taking way longer than we thought
You may be able to use the chimney as a chase though which you can run return duct. You cannot use the chimney as a duct.
A very common problem in older homes that have a forced air system added is that both the supply and returns are inadequate. Also, attic insulation is seldom adequate. Look there first. During the renovation of my home, though only a 1970's vintage, we added r-30 between the trusses on the second floor. Had trouble heating and cooling that floor and I do have adequate supply and return, though I sized the system for the R-50 that I eventually got around to intalling (we blew in more insulation on top the the bats). Now, it works great. Though whenever possible, return in each room is ideal, I have a common return in the second floor hallway and still have good temperature control.
Thanks for the feedback. Water heater is electric so that is not an issue. Makes sense to duct inside the chimney as I am sure there was an oil burner in the house at one time. As far as insulation goes that is next on the list but we first have to replace the knob and tube wiring.