A/C does not reach to 3rd floor.

[Anonymous]

I bought a second 3 level town house. However, the second one I bought, the AC does not reach to the 3rd floor (very weak) vs the first townhouse I bought, it's not as good as the dual ac unit, but it's sufficient to go by.

The house is relatively new (2006) and what's your suggest besides cleaning the duct or the filter? any other methods?

[Anonymous]

Manually close a few of the vents on the lower floors, it will increase the air flow to the top floor. I do it with my basement because the basement and first floor are on the same condenser. When I close the basement vents the first floor is very noticeably cooler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Manually close a few of the vents on the lower floors, it will increase the air flow to the top floor. I do it with my basement because the basement and first floor are on the same condenser. When I close the basement vents the first floor is very noticeably cooler.

tried those, still very weak.

[Anonymous]

Have you repositioned the dampers on the duct return in your basement? Mine are labeled open winter, close summer etc. It makes a huge difference. A good AC guy should label them and tell you how to maximize.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if what I'm saying is what the PP's are also suggesting as you'll have to forgive my ignorance on a/c terms, but I have a 2 story townhouse and it was brutally hot upstairs and freezing downstairs, and they had to come out and change the bafflers ??? They can redirect the air to where it's needed. This might be what 18:24 is saying though.

[Anonymous]

appreciated all the responses. The only thing that I am suspecting now is that there's leaks in the ductworks becaue this is a house tht was built in 2006. However, the built is kind of dumb or smart tried to save up a lot of money putting one unit instead of two.

When we turn on even 65 degree, the upstairs only have tiny air coming out ....... ugh

[Anonymous]

I think you need two units

[Anonymous]

We had the same problem, also with a system that was supposedly new in 2004 or 2005. We tried all the tricks and they did not work. Finally had to replace the AC system. It seemed that the one that was supposedly new in 2004/5 was cheap and some of the ducts were not done properly. I'd get a reliable, recommended A/C guy to come and look at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you repositioned the dampers on the duct return in your basement? Mine are labeled open winter, close summer etc. It makes a huge difference. A good AC guy should label them and tell you how to maximize.

+1

this made a big difference in our old TH

[Anonymous]

We just moved into a 4 level home. The top 2 floors just didnt get the AC either just like you.

We purchased portable AC units for the rooms. They are about $300, and just plug in, and install super easily. The hose just goes out the window. I didnt buy one for every room, but did for the bedrooms so we could sleep. They are really powerful--we turn them on for 2 hours at night and the room stays cool all night. Might be something that would work for you and its pretty inexpensive compared to hiring an AC guy...

they sell them at Home Depot.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking you need two units too. We have only two levels (and basement) and have two separate units.

[Anonymous]

You can try duct sealing (Aeroseal) which is endorsed by EPA. I did it and it has made a difference --they measured that I was losing about 40% of my efficiency due to leaks in my ducts (which most homes have). And the duct sealers found a 8x12 hole in my duct, behind drywall that I never would have found, which had been there since construction! They said they find them fairly frequently.
http://www.greenspirationhome.com/new-duct-sealant-may-cure-leaky-ducts-%E2%80%93-and-lower-home-energy-consumption/

But you might want to do an energy audit first.

I used these guys who were recommended by my energy auditor (Home Energy Detective):
http://www.atlanticductcleaning.com/aeroseal/index.html

And no, I'm not a shrill for these folks, just a happy customer.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and duct sealing is cheaper than a second unit - I think I paid just under $2K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had the same problem, also with a system that was supposedly new in 2004 or 2005. We tried all the tricks and they did not work. Finally had to replace the AC system. It seemed that the one that was supposedly new in 2004/5 was cheap and some of the ducts were not done properly. I'd get a reliable, recommended A/C guy to come and look at it.

Can you share how much you spent and what company?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can try duct sealing (Aeroseal) which is endorsed by EPA. I did it and it has made a difference --they measured that I was losing about 40% of my efficiency due to leaks in my ducts (which most homes have). And the duct sealers found a 8x12 hole in my duct, behind drywall that I never would have found, which had been there since construction! They said they find them fairly frequently.
http://www.greenspirationhome.com/new-duct-sealant-may-cure-leaky-ducts-%E2%80%93-and-lower-home-energy-consumption/

But you might want to do an energy audit first.

I used these guys who were recommended by my energy auditor (Home Energy Detective):
http://www.atlanticductcleaning.com/aeroseal/index.html

And no, I'm not a shrill for these folks, just a happy customer.

Cost and which company please?