Thread: One return, two levels

Hello!

I looked at a house today that had a 3-ton heat pump supplying two levels with a zone system installed. There was only one return and that was on the 2nd level in the hallway. Shouldn't there be an additional return on the 1st level?

Jim

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Originally Posted by JIM MURPHY

Hello!

I looked at a house today that had a 3-ton heat pump supplying two levels with a zone system installed. There was only one return and that was on the 2nd level in the hallway. Shouldn't there be an additional return on the 1st level?

Jim

Hi Jim,

The solenoid dampers are only connected to the distribution side of the ducting, so I would think a single intake would be fine, as long as it was properly sized. Now, if there were two separate HVAC systems (I sometimes see those in larger, two story homes), then two returns would be necessary.

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

Hi Jim,

The solenoid dampers are only connected to the distribution side of the ducting, so I would think a single intake would be fine, as long as it was properly sized. Now, if there were two separate HVAC systems (I sometimes see those in larger, two story homes), then two returns would be necessary.

Thanks Gunnar, it is properly sized and after giving some more thought I realize that it would be fine. Always good to ask though and double check yourself!!!!

Jim

There is no requirement where returns are located, but I don't think that is a good design. It may affect system performance during the heating season.

"Shouldn't there be an additional return on the 1st level?" Should yes, required no.

The better system installation would have two returns. One as a high wall return on the second floor. The other as a low wall return on the first floor.

2nd fl is summer with heat rising to highest point. 1st fl is winter with coldest air settling to lowest point. Each return would have the ability to be shut off to alternate seasons.

I am presuming that the description means the return is upstairs, is ducted to, and sealed to, the unit which is downstairs?

Is the unit downstairs, upstairs, or in the attic?

If the unit is downstairs, and the return is ducted to, but not sealed to, the unit, then there may be a return air path for the downstairs.

They were likely subscribing to the theory that the stairs serves as a return air transfer path between stories (it does - it is just not a very efficient way to maintain the same or similar temperatures between the stories due to what Garry described).

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I am presuming that the description means the return is upstairs, is ducted to, and sealed to, the unit which is downstairs?

Is the unit downstairs, upstairs, or in the attic?

If the unit is downstairs, and the return is ducted to, but not sealed to, the unit, then there may be a return air path for the downstairs.

They were likely subscribing to the theory that the stairs serves as a return air transfer path between stories (it does - it is just not a very efficient way to maintain the same or similar temperatures between the stories due to what Garry described).

Jerry, the air handler was in the garage attic which was attached to the house. It would have been very easy to have two returns installed. At least they installed a zone system. The other part of the story with this house ( built by DR Horton ) was that they never installed an access to the attic above the 2nd level.

Jim

Hello Jim. It sounds like you found a flaky installation, where maybe the good doctor got short-changed on his HVAC installation?
So, are you able to recommend an upgrade or improvements? I think there is always room in the reports for stuff like that, improvements for better efficiency. Not required, so they can't expect it from the sellers.