dkpd1581
| Joined: | Sun Dec 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 199 |
| Flavorite Brew: | a free one |
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The best generic answer to your question is to install a zoning system. For one unit to control so many zones with such diverse Heat/Cool requirements with one t-stat located somewhere in the middle is asking too much from the system.
It is troublesome that your installer advised to "Wait" on a return and to "See how uneven it is." That presupposes that he knew or suspected it to be uneven and was waiting to see if you could live with the degree of inadequacy. A proper Manual J heat load calculation and Manual D duct design would have quickly zeroed in on the correct unit and duct design. With that said, even the best circumstances would still make it very difficult to run essentially 3 floors and several zones per floor from one unit with one T-stat without a zone system. Another better solution would have been more than one unit. Your best solution is a proper assesment of your home's heat/cool needs which will lead you to proper duct layout. These two will dictate the correct equipment.
Blocking supply grills and/or returns will in fact cause airflow issues that can cause freezing of evaporator coils, liquid damage to the compressor, water damage, and over firing in the heat mode. I would suggest not doing that. There are companies that specialize in airflow and balancing, you may try having them come out and give an assesment.
As to programable t-stats, they are a great thing if you actually leverage their capabilites, schedule them correctly, and leave them alone to do their job. Many times people put them up and fiddle with them just as if it was a manual mercury bulb t-stat - overriding the program all the time. Often times people, not understanding how to program them, end up getting frustrated with them and having all types of mismatched programs in them, wrong day, wrong time, and the unit may not work correctly or provide the savings and degree of comfort expected. The answer to your question lies in your end goal to be achieved, your living patterns, and usage of the house/spaces within.
I relate it to people who have the newest/best electronic equipment with all bells and whistles. They show it to you and explain how wonderful it is and there you notice that the time is perpetually flashing 12:00 on the face of it.
Your case is one that has soo many variable that it is best to have an eyes on assesment in my opinion. Best of luck.
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