Furnace Filter?

[Dave]

Yes, I have shut all but one of the dampers on the main level to move as much air upstairs as possible. This has helped but only marginally. There is still a temperature difference opposite of what it should be right now.

Are you talking the floor dampers in each room or do you have a main ductwork damper by your furnace? On mine, I have main ductwork dampers at the furnace I can close or open that supplies each level of the house.

I have to adjust those with each season otherwise my upstairs would be cold.

[delcecchi]

How about a test.....

Take the filter out all together and see if things are better.

[that_guy]

Gunmonkey,

What is the squirrel cage? Based on the fact that I don't know the terminology leaves to wonder if this isn't something I should leave alone LOL

Dave,

I haven't poked my head up there, but as I tighten things up on other levels, I'm being forced to wonder that exact thing.

Thanks for the insight everyone.

[sheephead2]

Make sure your return air vents are not blocked by a any furniture. That will restrict air flow then slows down your circulation. Are your cold air returns up high or are they at floor level. Most cases the supply and returns are opposite of each other.If your supply is on outside wall it should have been insulated that way you would not loose your heat.I know it is hard to tell now since its enclosed.Take a thermometer and check each supply temp they should be very close to each other when furnace is running.The more bends in your supply line slows down your air flow. Example 1 90 degree elbow equals 5 feet straight .Here is another example Bedroom 2 supplies should be have 1 cold air return.

Living room should have a double return.Maybe your house does not have enough returns causing your furnace to starve for air or furniture blocking returns very common.I did my own duct work in my house and put all returns up high so they would not get blocked with furniture or a door.I USE PLEATED FILTER and have no issues.I have talked to a lot of people saying there upstairs are cold winter and warm in summer.I tell them to try to adjust dampers in each room but do not close of so you will get more air upstairs.

[that_guy]

Sheep,

All of the returns are on the baseboard near the floor of each room. There is a return for each room upstairs aside from the bathroom. Each of the grates was fairly dirty. I cleaned them all as deep and I could get the vacuum. I did check each of them with incense and they were all drawing air. I know that's not a very scientific or accurate way, but it let me know the air is moving.

I never thought to measure the temp of the air coming out of the vents upstairs vs. downstairs. I'll try to figure out a way to do that.

Upon looking at the apparent route of the ducts, there are no less than 3 90* turns for each of the top level vents. I'm leaning towards a poorly designed system is at fault, and I will need to make due for now.

[sheephead2]

This can get real complicated but you could always buy a roll of 6inch insulated flex disconnect the 1st supply coming of your supply trunk line and switch it with the upstairs supply. Or cut out a new 6inch from the plenum and hard pipe it to the upstairs supply not an Idea situation but you would get more air flow .This is of course if you can have access to the trunk line. also you would have to cap off the old supply going up stairs.

Or Buy a oil filled electric base board heater . They work great I used one when I was building my house while living at my parents old farm house.

[gunmunky]

Sorry for not getting back right away, I've been out of town. The squirrel cage is the blower or fan that circulates the air. On my older furnace I removed the 2 bolts that hold the motor on and then 2 bolts to remove the cage. Very easy to do. Hope this helps. If not let me know and I will try to post some pictures for you.