Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 16, 2000 05:29pm | #1

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   A good HVAC man will be able to balance your system so that the cold rooms will be more like the rest of the house.

   Rick Tuk

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   Guest_ | Jan 17, 2000 01:02am | #2

   *Thanks for the advice Rick.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 17, 2000 01:03am | #3

   *Thanks for the advice Fred.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 17, 2000 11:36pm | #4

   *Geoff, I also have a 1950's rancher, my return ducts were the same as yours. After consulting with my heater guy, and with some help from the good people here at breaktime I installed all new return ducts. Starting from the walls, I installed new return hoods, and 6" 30ga round duct back to the main return line that runs down the center of the basement. Their were no return hoods behind the vent covers, just a hole in the block wall! And the crap I found when the old sheetmetal came down made me want to barf!! All said and done I spent +/- $150, including metal tape to seal all the seams. My house stays much cleaner and oil consumtion went down. When you are finished have the supply ducts cleaned by a duct cleaning company, well worth the money! Bill

2. 
   Geoff_Weinert | Jan 21, 2000 09:28am | #5

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   Thanks for all the advice. When adding the metal ducts do you think it is wise to move the return duct from the exterior wall (its very cold to the touch) to an interior wall? How about a high and low grill on the return, high for summer(AC) and low for winter(heat). Each would have a valve to shut it off. This duct would be of metal also.

3. 
   Geoffrey_Weinert | Jan 21, 2000 09:28am | #6

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   I have a ranch(1952) with the HVAC system in the basement. The return ducts are the floor joists with galvanized sheet metal on the bottom. I would think this would be a great place for mold to grow(the wood). The sheet metal is nailed on and looks to allow air to be drawn in. Is it wise to line the duct with 1" rigid fiberglass with a reinforced foil face? This would form a new duct. The edges would be taped with reinforced foil tape. The fiberglass comes in 2X4 foot sheets. Is it best to have a HVAC installer install sheet metal duct? The bedrooms farthest from the furnace are always colder than the rest of the house. Thanks for any help.