Circulation Fan System Advice/Specifics

[begreen]

I don't know my HVAC terminology all that well, but it's an A/C + propane furnace system, both operating via forced air through ceiling ducts. I would love to have hot water based radiant heat, but apparently the builder saw otherwise. During really cold weather, this system burns a ridiculous amount of propane (sometimes running nonstop for 24 hours or more) and we never really feel warm. The wood stove has been a tremendous improvement in that regard. We're very happy with it except for the uneven heat distribution, particularly at night.

That's a good design for AC but not very good for heating. Hot air rises so it tends to be hotter from 4 ft up and colder below, especially if the slab is uninsulated.

 

[stoveliker]

Are you sure the ducts above the ceiling are well insulated and sealed?

And how well are your walls insulated?
Window leaks?

 

[EbS-P]

Through wall is the way to go. Seal up the pass through before you install the fan.

I like this one

Amazon.com: AC Infinity Room to Room Fan 6”, Dual Zone Sensors with Reversible Airflow | Auto Temperature Balancing, WiFi App Control, Wireless LCD Remote, 10-Level Speeds for Kitchen, Laundry Room, and Workshops : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy AC Infinity Room to Room Fan 6”, Dual Zone Sensors with Reversible Airflow | Auto Temperature Balancing, WiFi App Control, Wireless LCD Remote, 10-Level Speeds for Kitchen, Laundry Room, and Workshops: Ventilation Fans - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

Master bathroom is just going to be cold. Maybe a through wall would work, but it’s not going to be warm. Electric heat is what I decided on for ours. It costs $45 a year to heat it. We did radiant electric under the floor. Worth every penny as it’s over a crawlspace.

i am entering the phase of life where spending more on comfort is appealing. A freezing bathroom is at least worth a coffee a week for me!

 

[kborndale]

Through wall is the way to go. Seal up the pass through before you install the fan.

I like this one

Amazon.com: AC Infinity Room to Room Fan 6”, Dual Zone Sensors with Reversible Airflow | Auto Temperature Balancing, WiFi App Control, Wireless LCD Remote, 10-Level Speeds for Kitchen, Laundry Room, and Workshops : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy AC Infinity Room to Room Fan 6”, Dual Zone Sensors with Reversible Airflow | Auto Temperature Balancing, WiFi App Control, Wireless LCD Remote, 10-Level Speeds for Kitchen, Laundry Room, and Workshops: Ventilation Fans - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

Master bathroom is just going to be cold. Maybe a through wall would work, but it’s not going to be warm. Electric heat is what I decided on for ours. It costs $45 a year to heat it. We did radiant electric under the floor. Worth every penny as it’s over a crawlspace.

i am entering the phase of life where spending more on comfort is appealing. A freezing bathroom is at least worth a coffee a week for me!

Radiant in the bathroom is definitely a great way to go. Mine is only using like 150 watts when on. Nothing beats having warm feet while doing your morning business.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I have tried that and it does not seem to help at all. Might be due to the intake being quite far from the stove, albeit in the same general area.

Is there some way you could use fans to move the hot wood stove air to the propane furnace fresh air intakes? Normally there would be more than one fresh air return for the furnace. Identify all of the ducting they put it, supplies and returns.

 

[PolrBear]

That's a good design for AC but not very good for heating. Hot air rises so it tends to be hotter from 4 ft up and colder below, especially if the slab is uninsulated.

That's been our experience. I'm sure it's cozy up on the vaulted ceiling. Meanwhile, the furnace cranks and cranks while our feet freeze. But it seems we're stuck with this since we're slab on grade. Thank God for wood heat.

Are you sure the ducts above the ceiling are well insulated and sealed?

And how well are your walls insulated?
Window leaks?

I am not sure about the duct insulation. How does one determine something like that? The house is 30 years old and was the builder's house in a subdivision, which normally (and in my experience of this house) means a lot of corners get cut.

Through wall is the way to go. Seal up the pass through before you install the fan.

I like this one

Amazon.com: AC Infinity Room to Room Fan 6”, Dual Zone Sensors with Reversible Airflow | Auto Temperature Balancing, WiFi App Control, Wireless LCD Remote, 10-Level Speeds for Kitchen, Laundry Room, and Workshops : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy AC Infinity Room to Room Fan 6”, Dual Zone Sensors with Reversible Airflow | Auto Temperature Balancing, WiFi App Control, Wireless LCD Remote, 10-Level Speeds for Kitchen, Laundry Room, and Workshops: Ventilation Fans - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

Master bathroom is just going to be cold. Maybe a through wall would work, but it’s not going to be warm. Electric heat is what I decided on for ours. It costs $45 a year to heat it. We did radiant electric under the floor. Worth every penny as it’s over a crawlspace.

i am entering the phase of life where spending more on comfort is appealing. A freezing bathroom is at least worth a coffee a week for me!

Would you recommend putting it high on the wall to move warm air, or low to return cool air?

Is there some way you could use fans to move the hot wood stove air to the propane furnace fresh air intakes? Normally there would be more than one fresh air return for the furnace. Identify all of the ducting they put it, supplies and returns.

I can't think of any way to make that happen apart from another duct-through-attic idea (with all the attendant problems that have already been mentioned). There is only the one air return for the system. Again, it's a builder's house and some things on it could have been done more thoroughly.

 

[stoveliker]

I'd go up in the attic and inspect the ducts. Likely your insulation there (and air sealing) is poor too.

 

[PolrBear]

I'd go up in the attic and inspect the ducts. Likely your insulation there (and air sealing) is poor too.

I don't doubt it. Attic insulation consists of a few inches of that packing peanut looking fiberglass stuff, probably past its prime after three decades on the job.

The windows are double-pane and most seem to be in good shape. I've taken a caulk gun to some areas, and need to do more, particularly around power outlets. It's not a well-sealed house.

 

[stoveliker]

Then I think improving insulation and sealing in the attic may have a much better result than playing catch up cranking a stove and pushing air around to compensate for all the heat loss.

 

[PolrBear]

Then I think improving insulation and sealing in the attic may have a much better result than playing catch up cranking a stove and pushing air around to compensate for all the heat loss.

Yeah, that occurs to me also. I'm going to make an appointment with an insulation guy to look over our situation. Better insulation in the attic could pay us back both summer and winter.

 

[stoveliker]

Good idea.
I went from R19 between the joists to an air sealed R57 (diy).
Huge difference. First winter we.got the home Feb. 1

Second winter with better insulation I used half the oil (before the wood stove was up and running in the third year). Twice the winter (all before Feb too), half the heating cost.

 

[EbS-P]

Would you recommend putting it high on the wall to move warm air, or low to return cool air?

Generally I would say move cold. think of where the warm air will enter from. If you just keep the door open you will just be pulling in. Bedroom floor air. Is that warm enough to make a difference?
The actual layout would matter quite a bit to me.

 

[begreen]

That's been our experience. I'm sure it's cozy up on the vaulted ceiling. Meanwhile, the furnace cranks and cranks while our feet freeze. But it seems we're stuck with this since we're slab on grade. Thank God for wood heat.

Is there a ceiling fan to circulate the heat trapped at the ceiling peak?

 

[PolrBear]

Is there a ceiling fan to circulate the heat trapped at the ceiling peak?

Yes, we have two 52" ceiling fans and they do help. I am thinking about getting bigger ones.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Yeah, that occurs to me also. I'm going to make an appointment with an insulation guy to look over our situation. Better insulation in the attic could pay us back both summer and winter.

As a pellet stove owner, I wonder if you could put one in your master bedroom? My house was heated by oil, with water rads in each room. They did away with oil, and now I have heat pumps and electric convect heaters. I put a pellet stove in the basement after I moved in, and have a duct/fan sucking cold air from above the stove down to the basement behind the stove.

 

[PolrBear]

As a pellet stove owner, I wonder if you could put one in your master bedroom? My house was heated by oil, with water rads in each room. They did away with oil, and now I have heat pumps and electric convect heaters. I put a pellet stove in the basement after I moved in, and have a duct/fan sucking cold air from above the stove down to the basement behind the stove.

I guess I could hypothetically do that, but I don't really want the additional fuss of a second stove, and I think the heat would be more than we need for that area.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I guess I could hypothetically do that, but I don't really want the additional fuss of a second stove, and I think the heat would be more than we need for that area.

Here is a heater I installed in my basement. Good luck. I hope you find a solution to move that heat around.

 

[kborndale]

Are pellet stoves allowed in bedrooms? I know wood stoves are not.

 

[Whitenuckler]

N

Are pellet stoves allowed in bedrooms? I know wood stoves are not.

No, it appears it would need to be outside the bedroom(according to a search). That should be stated in the manual too. I guess if the wood stove was on one side of the house, then a long hallway, you could put it on the other side of the house if it's not in a bedroom.
"DO NOT INSTALL IN A SLEEPING ROOM" That's in my Harman manual. Good Catch!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Are pellet stoves allowed in bedrooms? I know wood stoves are not.

Actually, I believe that because gas is not a solid fuel, the OP could have a propane fireplace or space heater in the bedroom. That way it could be turned down/off or on a thermostat.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I guess I could hypothetically do that, but I don't really want the additional fuss of a second stove, and I think the heat would be more than we need for that area.

I was incorrect. You can't install a solid fuel heater. I have asked for my message to be deleted as not to confuse someone.

 

[begreen]

The discussion covers the pellet stove caveat.

If putting in a propane heater, be sure it is vented to outside.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

One of the cabins we use in the winter has a pellet stove in front of the couch. It’s like 5 feet in front of the couch. I’ve slept on the couch. It’s really loud, lol.

 

[begreen]

That was one of the reasons I was glad to sell our pellet stove.

 

[Whitenuckler]

One of the cabins we use in the winter has a pellet stove in front of the couch. It’s like 5 feet in front of the couch. I’ve slept on the couch. It’s really loud, lol.

To me it would be like white noise. I used to love those noisy ac through wall units in hotels as I could introduce lots of constant white noise. Now I watch utube at night...bad habit, but numbs the mind.