significant temp change

[Mike9825]

As of this winter there's a significant temp. change between 2 rooms. the family room and the laundry/utility room. our house is split level so both rooms sit below ground but not completely. It's in the utility room where it is cold. The furnace and water heater is also in that room. I've inspected that room, top to bottom and can't find a source for a leak in cold air. Windows are in good shape, dryer is vented and kept closed at all times, exhaust hose is new and sealed with silicone. Furnace and water heater are both vented and sealed properly. Granted that room is made of painted masonry brick on the inside and red brick outside and somewhat sits underground, the temp change is annoying. The family room is somewhat comfortable, but we have to run a heater after sunset to additionally heat it for to match the rest of house. The ulility room compared to the rest of the house has to be at least a 5* colder than the rest of the house, including the family room with the heater running. Anyone got ideas? we already have the furnace at 68 which is plenty but the utlity room i would say is somewhere in the lower 60's my dog doesn't even sleep in there anymore something ain't right -Mike-

 

[glennjanie]

Hey Mike:
First off, heat rises. Next, the partial underground situation lowers the temp considerably; the underground temp here is 55 degrees, possibly lower in your location.
A couple of things you might try:
Insulate the lower rooms with 2" foam board to defeat the ground temp, to get really serious you would need to insulate the floor also. This can be done with carpet and pad or by raising the floor with 2 Xs, insulating between the sleepers, then use subfloor and vinyl or laminate.
Re-balance the air flow from the furnace. You have a good brand and, with the 2 stages, it should be very efficient. You will need dampers in the trunk line to regulate increased flow to the lower level.
Get rid of any flex-duct and replace it with metal pipe and sleeve insulation.
Run your fan on low speed constantly to keep a mix of the air and temperature you have. Is the lower level in the North to West quadrant?
Try any one or all of these remedies and accurately measure the difference in temp, upper and lower, and before and after. Let us know how it works out for you.
Glenn

 

[Daryl]

You mentioned needing a heater in the family room "after sunset" So your family room must face the west. Does your utility room face east? If so it is not getting the warmth of the sun to help heat the space. Do you have a door between the two rooms and is it kept shut all the time? this will restrict the flow of any air movement. Is there an supply vent (register) in the utility room? is it dampened off ? If there is a register you might try damping the upper floor registers partially and making sure the lower level ones are opened comlpetely which will provide a higher air flow to the lower level. It will help greatly to insulate and finish the knee walls (Masonry walls) on that lower level to keep the heat in . Cool walls are absorbing it not radiating it. Splits are hard to get regulated heat wise. Where in Ohio are you located? I live just north of Columbus in Delaware County.