Circulation Fan System Advice/Specifics

[PolrBear]

As we move toward autumn, I want to work on getting better warm air circulation to the far corners of the house so we don't have to waste so much electricity on space heaters in the bedrooms at night. Setup is a 1500 square foot slab on grade dwelling with attic access and our stove in the middle of the large main room. My scheme is to put a circulation fan in the attic with ducted intakes to the ceilings of the bedrooms, and an outflow in the ceiling near the stove. This gets air flowing back from the bedrooms, with the idea of creating a void that will pull in warm air and even out the temperature through the house. Fan to be controlled by a switch or possibly a thermostat. I have a vague idea how to install all this, but I'm not sure how to source an optimal fan and duct manifold (where the intakes meet), or really what to look for when I shop. Any feedback and/or specific recommendations would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[begreen]

The system will need to be very well insulated to reduce ducted heat loss.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

You’d have to air seal the penetration really well too.

I have a really small fan that I put in the upper corner of doorways and then run a larger fan on the floor. I feel the small fan blowing into the far rooms helps to establish the thermal loop. The large fan blows the colder air back toward the stove room.

Pic off Google. After 20 years my fan isn’t nearly that pretty.

 

[PolrBear]

Why is air sealing so crucial when the system is pulling air back from the corners toward the stove? Is it because the air will be coming off the ceiling and so some warm air will get cooled down in transit?

 

[Whitenuckler]

As we move toward autumn, I want to work on getting better warm air circulation to the far corners of the house so we don't have to waste so much electricity on space heaters in the bedrooms at night. Setup is a 1500 square foot slab on grade dwelling with attic access and our stove in the middle of the large main room. My scheme is to put a circulation fan in the attic with ducted intakes to the ceilings of the bedrooms, and an outflow in the ceiling near the stove. This gets air flowing back from the bedrooms, with the idea of creating a void that will pull in warm air and even out the temperature through the house. Fan to be controlled by a switch or possibly a thermostat. I have a vague idea how to install all this, but I'm not sure how to source an optimal fan and duct manifold (where the intakes meet), or really what to look for when I shop. Any feedback and/or specific recommendations would be awesome. Thanks!

To do it right you would need the same ducting as a forced air heating/cooling system. Otherwise ceiling fans and Pedestal Fans. Another option may be based on a heat recovery system with insulated ducts in your attic.

 

[Eman85]

Have you tried something as simple as a ceiling fan? We have a ceiling fan in the main room with the stove. If we forget to turn it on you know right away when you're sitting in the den which is the furthest room. flip the fan on and the heat evens out through the house, single story home.