Any HVAC techs in the house?

[kenmac]

So just to make it simple, since you have not written that it meets code to draw return air from ANY conditioned space - Are you indicating that taking return air from a basement which is conditioned is against code in some areas?

What some call a basement ,and what others call a basement can be totally different. I'm quite sure that codes are different in different parts of the country.
I would be surprised if IAQ wasn't a concern in other parts of the country like it is here though.

I wouldn't say it meets code to pull return air from any condition space .. That's too broad of a statement.
I have seen areas /basements, where chemicals were stored, that was supplied a heating and cooling vent to keep those chemicals from freezing, etc, but I wouldn't want my return air taken from such a room.
I hate to keep bringing up IAQ, but it's a real concern when considering the placement your return, and filtering.

Basement is a broad term that has a different meaning, and use for many different people. Looking at your basement from behind my computer screen is much different than me seeing your basement in person:thumbsup:

 

[General Lee]

Ok...... So today it was 90 degrees give or take and high humidity. T-stat was set at 74 so the house was already cool. I decided to test the system. I turned the T-stat down to 70 and let it run. After 2.5 hours my T-stat only read 73. I was hoping to cool the house 2 degrees. Is it to much ask for a new system to cool the house 2 degrees in at least 2 hours?? Come on, seems unacceptable to me.

 

[ultrarunner]

At work I can get a split of anywhere from 25 to 30 degrees depending on conditions.

 

[Sigarms]

At work I can get a split of anywhere from 25 to 30 degrees depending on conditions.

Is that with a ducted sinlge phase split system without conditioned outside fresh air and no type of mixing boxes?

 

[ultrarunner]

It is 100% outside air ducted with 15 air exchanges per hour with all equipment on the roof but NOT a package unit.

I have a temperature display for outside air, conditioned air and exhaust air... great for zeroing in on a problem..

It's all Carrier and installed in 1995 with a Johnson Controls optimum start/stop added for savings.

 

[murphy1244]

It is 100% outside air ducted with 15 air exchanges per hour with all equipment on the roof but NOT a package unit.

I have a temperature display for outside air, conditioned air and exhaust air... great for zeroing in on a problem..

It's all Carrier and installed in 1995 with a Johnson Controls optimum start/stop added for savings.

That is not what we would call a split.

 

[Sigarms]

That is not what we would call a split.

It's not what I would call residential as well:laughing:

 

[dadster4]

What am I taking note of here? My duct work system was designed by one of the best HVAC guys in this area. There is no reason at all for me to NOT pull basement air. And actually foolish if I dont.

No gas or oil burning equipment. All electric. And basement is open to the upstairs via the ~4' wide x ~10' long stairwell opening with just a little short ~42" wall around it. And I have 7 vents downstairs.

My house is no different than a common 2-story house with an open stairwell to the 2nd level. Only difference is my 1st floor.....is sub grade and has 8" poured concrete walls. As a result....it stays considerably cooler than the second level....due to it being sub-grade, and the fact that heat rises.

I know my uncle just had HVAC system installed in his new ~3500sq ft house. His system uses some type of zone controls. Where there are dampers and what not that can control the temp in each individual room. Its a fully finished basement, with a 2-story house on top. IF the upper rooms get above setpoint, and lower rooms are below setpoint, through the brains of the system, it is smart enough to adjust a few dampers, and turn on nothing more than the blower to redistribute the air to satisfy setpoints. Makes for a highly efficient way to heat and cool a house.

Thats the same basic approach I am taking, only on a smaller and more manual scale.

I asked that you take note of the FACT that every situation is different. My responses were with the OP's questions in mind as they applied to his situation.
The 3-zone Carrier Infinity 18 SEER system in my old home was installed by the most knowledgeable HVAC man in Illinois....but then I moved to Tennessee:laughing:

 

[LD1]

That's not how it read.

You said the basement is not the place to get return air from.....then told me to take note.

I think we have established that a livable conditioned basement is most definitely a place to get return air from, and if your not....then tour system is not as efficient as it can be

 

[dadster4]

That's not how it read.

You said the basement is not the place to get return air from.....then told me to take note.

I think we have established that a livable conditioned basement is most definitely a place to get return air from, and if your not....then tour system is not as efficient as it can be

As I said...I was replying to the OP's situation...not yours. In his home, to try to correct his problem, he needs to draw more air from his first floor living space...not his basement. Jeesh!