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Here is a duct question that came in via our Contact Us page from Ben in Washington, DC regarding an air duct fan.

Ben’s Duct Question I really liked reading about how you installed your air duct fan to increase airflow to your second floor. I am dealing with a similar issue and hope you can offer a little advice.

My house has one room that is very cold in the winter. The problem is that the supply duct runs along an uninsulated exterior wall of the house. So, the heated air is cold by the time it reaches the register. The return duct is not against the exterior wall, and I am considering altering the ductwork in order to switch the functions of the supply and return ducts.

Is that a good idea? Are there pitfalls I need to watch out for? It seems to me the project would involve two fairly straightforward alterations to the existing ductwork and fabricating or installing less than 10 feet of new ductwork in an easily accessible area of the basement. But, I am not an experienced home improvement guy. So, I don't really know what I am doing and do not want to mess up.

Thanks for your advice and opinion!

Dave’s Answer to Ben’s Duct Question

Ben,

It looks as if you have already identified the problem and developed a solution. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Are the ducts the same size?
• Will the heating cost go up since the return duct will be bringing cooler air back to the system?
• Is there anyway to add some insulation between the duct and the outer wall?
• Can you push some insulation, Styrofoam, duct board, sheetrock, anything to help with the problem?

• What is the home’s outside wall made of?
• Can it be modified to increase insulation and lower your heating and cooling costs?

Dave

Ben’s Response Thanks for writing back Dave. The ducts are the same size. Unfortunately, I can not add insulation between the supply duct and the outer wall because the space is inaccessible and the outer wall is made of cement.

You are not aware of any major reason not to switch the ducts, are you? I have been told that supply ducts should take air to the far side of a room (away from the core of the house) and the return should be closer to the core of the house. If I make the switch, I would be violating that rule... but I don't know if that ‘rule’ really is important, or if it was just what one contractor considered standard practice.

Dave’s Response

Ben,

Every contractor has a different set of rules. Unfortunately, the world is not perfect. If it was, you would not be having the problems you are having.

A supply and a return in the same room are good, but it is not always necessary. Is there some space under the door to the room? If so, the return air can go under the door. You might want to consider blocking off the return duct in the basement and tying both ducts to the supply if the room is really cold...

Dave

Ben’s Response

That’s an interesting idea. Thanks. I will take a closer look and discuss it with the HVAC Pro I am having come and give me an estimate.

I really appreciate your help!

Dave’s Response Good Luck!

Should you have any comments about Ben’s duct question or Dave's response, share them Here is a duct question that came in via our Contact Us page from Ben in Washington, DC regarding an air duct fan.

Ben’s Duct Question I really liked reading about how you installed your air duct fan to increase airflow to your second floor. I am dealing with a similar issue and hope you can offer a little advice.

My house has one room that is very cold in the winter. The problem is that the supply duct runs along an uninsulated exterior wall of the house. So, the heated air is cold by the time it reaches the register. The return duct is not against the exterior wall, and I am considering altering the ductwork in order to switch the functions of the supply and return ducts.

Is that a good idea? Are there pitfalls I need to watch out for? It seems to me the project would involve two fairly straightforward alterations to the existing ductwork and fabricating or installing less than 10 feet of new ductwork in an easily accessible area of the basement. But, I am not an experienced home improvement guy. So, I don't really know what I am doing and do not want to mess up.

Thanks for your advice and opinion!

Dave’s Answer to Ben’s Duct Question

Ben,

It looks as if you have already identified the problem and developed a solution. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Are the ducts the same size?
• Will the heating cost go up since the return duct will be bringing cooler air back to the system?
• Is there anyway to add some insulation between the duct and the outer wall?
• Can you push some insulation, Styrofoam, duct board, sheetrock, anything to help with the problem?

• What is the home’s outside wall made of?
• Can it be modified to increase insulation and lower your heating and cooling costs?

Dave

Ben’s Response Thanks for writing back Dave. The ducts are the same size. Unfortunately, I can not add insulation between the supply duct and the outer wall because the space is inaccessible and the outer wall is made of cement.

You are not aware of any major reason not to switch the ducts, are you? I have been told that supply ducts should take air to the far side of a room (away from the core of the house) and the return should be closer to the core of the house. If I make the switch, I would be violating that rule... but I don't know if that ‘rule’ really is important, or if it was just what one contractor considered standard practice.

Dave’s Response

Ben,

Every contractor has a different set of rules. Unfortunately, the world is not perfect. If it was, you would not be having the problems you are having.

A supply and a return in the same room are good, but it is not always necessary. Is there some space under the door to the room? If so, the return air can go under the door. You might want to consider blocking off the return duct in the basement and tying both ducts to the supply if the room is really cold...

Dave

Ben’s Response

That’s an interesting idea. Thanks. I will take a closer look and discuss it with the HVAC Pro I am having come and give me an estimate.

I really appreciate your help!

Dave’s Response Good Luck!

Should you have any comments about Ben’s duct question or you have a duct question for your own, share them by clicking here.

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