In my view the suggestion to put the air handler in the attic when you have basement space available is insane especially if it is a conventional vented attic.
Air attic to basement.
Run the fan for this unit continuously 24 hours a day on a low speed when the unit is not calling for a c to help recirculate the cold basement air.
There are plenty of other reasons not to put it up there.
Get the big picture.
The volume of air moved is totally adequate too though it s a bit harder to measure this objectively.
Especially since most people don t make use of their attic space it makes sense to move the hvac system to the attic to free up basement space.
How do i get a heating duct from an attic to a basement.
Choosing attic hvac systems is not necessarily a bad idea.
Obviously it would be way easier just to keep it all in the attic and save room but i want to do what is best.
But what i m trying to determine is should we go out of our way to change all the duct work and install the hrv in our basement.
This makes a home feel drafty and contributes to higher energy bills.
We will be replacing it with an hrv shortly.
Or can we keep all in the attic.
Not sure where to install your hvac system.
Things you will need box fan.
Outside air drawn in through basement leaks is exacerbated by the chimney effect created by leaks in the attic.
Draw a floor plan of your home including the location of the hvac air handling unit the.
You ll also need to provide a return path from a basement air handler or main level return to the second floor.
We currently have an old 1980s air exchanger in our attic split entry home.
The air coming out from the tail unit loses less than 1 c 2 f on its journey from the attic and the basement is now ventilated with air more than 20 c 36 f hotter than ambient.
The air handler is in the equipment room.
These fans can be permanently installed in windows or might require cutting through a basement wall to install.
You ll need to find a corner such as in a closet to build a duct chase to get ducts from basement to attic.
When it comes to dealing with heating ventilation and air conditioning the first tool you should.
As hot air generated by the furnace rises up through the house and into the attic through leaks cold outside air gets drawn in through basement leaks to replace the displaced air.
Another option is to install exhaust fans that connect to vents located throughout the basement.
Do not disconnect the high wall return near the attic access but add more if you can to take the hot air off the ceiling.
The access issue alone kills the attic installation as far as i am concerned.
As long as there s an unobstructed path e g no door that can be closed the upstairs doesn t need a dedicated return.
Install a ceiling fan near your basement entrance such as in the kitchen near your basement doorway to promote circulation of basement air into the rest of the home.