We bought a 19 years old house about a year ago and we've been experiencing some heating problems. The house is a bi level, the ground floor is very cold in winter even when the heater is on, hot air doesn't flow evenly.the ground floor is always cold, the ground floor also has a fire place that we've never used. Hot water also doesn'tevenly flow, especially when two people are taking showers at the same time in different bath rooms, some times you get cold water coming out instead of hot. What can we do in this case ?
2006-09-13 02:21:13 · 9 answers · asked by hahol 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It sounds as if you need extra insulation. Be sure to ck and see if your windows and doors are closing correctly, not allowing air to come inside. You can use calking to correct most loose windows. The hot water heater needs to be replaced. You can get a new one for as little as $300.
2006-09-13 02:25:35 · answer #1 · answered by Catie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have several problems. Understanding that the central heater is on the ground floor you may have to install a door at the head of your stairs. Next you will need to have your heating system split to heat the upper area to a specific thermostat set in that area. There are dampers that can be installed to handle this.
The hot water flow would best be fixed by re plumbing the hot water supply to both showers. I made the mistake of letting someone advise me to use 1/2" pipe to replace a hot water line that was defective. Hot water supply should be 3/4" to all shower fixtures. All other hot water outlets may be serviced by 1/2" or even 3/8".
Depending on available space you may want to place an instant on water heater in service for one of the showers. Isolating that shower from the main water heater.
2006-09-19 11:00:41 · answer #2 · answered by Tim Taylor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
assuming you have forced air, furnace with blower. Is blower running? any vents shut off in basement leading up from furnace?
Drafts? is 2nd floor warmer, but remember hot air rises? Can you feel any warm air out of every vent on first floor? Does you house have more than one thermost? Is there separate zones for either floors? Most of this you can check yourself, others you may need an hvac person. As far as hot water, again what kind of system? hot water heater? Electric vs Gas? How many gallons capacity? you have 2 showers on same system or heater it seems. First off, to try using 2 showers at once is always a bad thing, unless you have TWO separate heaters, one for each shower.
2006-09-19 10:15:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off I assume you have forced air heat. It sound like the ductwork is not properly done or there are abstructions inside them. Go to your basement and make sure all of the ducts are joined and taped properly, and make sure all of your registers are open. It could also be that the unit is improperly sized for the house. If walls have been taken out this may have removed duct which is allows air to escape your system. Your hot water heater may need to be replaced. After many years impurities gather in the bottom of the tank and shrinks the capacity of hot water and therfore you would run out of hot water fast.
2006-09-13 03:05:55 · answer #4 · answered by PHILLYGUY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to solve air problem is expensive. It calls for a temperature controlled zone system that automatically closes and opens dampers depending on your settings. During winter more warm air forced downstairs while summer it would work opposite. Again, very expensive.but will work
As for the water heater, you need a new one or split and have seperate heater upstiars and downstairs.
2006-09-20 04:44:25 · answer #5 · answered by acandheat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check flow balancing. Assuming we're talking about forced air,check ductwork for dampers levers. Generally you'll want more flow downstairs(heat rises) and to the far ends of the house. If you're talking about hydronic(hot water) systems,be sure that all fin tubing is kept CLEAN!! :-)=
2006-09-13 02:34:38 · answer #6 · answered by Jcontrols 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have uneven flow distribution water supply or the water pressure is very low.What you need as follow(1) supply directly to a overhead tank at the highest level and distribute out to the individual unit from the tank or(2)divert water to a domestic pump set and flow out to the various units-oressurised water syatem this will solve your problem
2006-09-20 22:43:27 · answer #7 · answered by leo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your losing alot of heat out of the fireplace chimney, maybe you can stuff the chimney with something and see if that helps. I've never tried this...
2006-09-20 09:41:08 · answer #8 · answered by nbr660 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sell and move.
2006-09-20 18:58:27 · answer #9 · answered by Scott K 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋