Frustrated and Cold in a new home!
COMMUNITY FORUM
I have a new home with 9ft Ceilings and with Dual Zone hot water/air gas boiler system. At what temperature should the air be coming out at it seems cool to warm? I have one catehdral ceiling in the main foyer.I have all wood floors on the first floor and an unheated basement. The BAsement ceiling is not insulated...Should it be? The attic has about 12inchs of blown in insulation. The outside walls are R13 but the the house was not wrapped with Tyvek. Could that be it. The house is constantly cool. I set the the thermostat at 70 degrees and my gas bills range from $200-$400 in the winter time. The problem is the house does not seem warm (ever). The windows are Simonton Pro Lines and tehy seem very cold to the touch as well as leaking air around the top corners of the lower window. I can feel drafts from the Electrical outlets and light Switches.and the house seems very drafty. What problem should I tackle first and how? Any help would be appreciated.
Dear Mark,
I need a litle more info on your heating system. Do you have hot water baseboard? Or do you have a dual system that works with a heat exchanger? Help me out and I may be able to help you. Accurate descriptions are a must here.
Happy New Year,
Len
I need a litle more info on your heating system. Do you have hot water baseboard? Or do you have a dual system that works with a heat exchanger? Help me out and I may be able to help you. Accurate descriptions are a must here.
Happy New Year,
Len
I have a system that works with a heat exchanger.....The gas boils water that flows through pipes that go to a blower which has a fan the blows over the hot pipes....and blows hot air thorugh the home...Thanks.
Hello,
I'm interested in the follow up to this topic. My new home seems cold too, and I feel the same type of drafts around doors/windows.
While dealing with the major problems, you can also do some simple things like getting insulating pads to put under the cover plates of outlets and switches. This can make a surprising difference in drafts. Also, sometimes the reason for these drafts is that when the electrician drilled the holes to bring power up from below (or down from above) they drilled larger holds than needed -- and there's no insulation in many inside walls. Go in your basement and attic and fill all these holes to help keep cold air out of the walls. A good caulk or other filler should do it.
Dear Mark,
The reason your blowers are cold can be that you have air in the lines. If there is air in the lines, the bubbles will act almost as a clog in a sewer line. Purge the system and your problem should be solved. Or, check the temperature setting at the boiler. I've seen this system installed and have installed quite a few of these myself. Also, check the blower unit for any openings that should not be there. They will allow cold air to be ****ed into the blower;thereby negating any heating effect.
Let me know,
Len
The reason your blowers are cold can be that you have air in the lines. If there is air in the lines, the bubbles will act almost as a clog in a sewer line. Purge the system and your problem should be solved. Or, check the temperature setting at the boiler. I've seen this system installed and have installed quite a few of these myself. Also, check the blower unit for any openings that should not be there. They will allow cold air to be ****ed into the blower;thereby negating any heating effect.
Let me know,
Len
[This message has been edited by Iceman (edited January 23, 2002).]
There is a paint that can be bought from www.paintonce.com.
[This message has been edited by lcott (edited May 30, 2002).]
