Did anyone see “Ask this old house” last night, about zoning an existing central HVAC system. The house had one HVAC system for a two story house. Upstairs always hot.
Briefly/simply, they were using inflatable bladders at each supply outlet (in the duct behind the supply register) to control the air flow. Small tubing ran down each duct to air pump that was controlled by a wireless thermostat located in each room.
It wasn’t cheap. I think I heard something like 6 grand. Any comments? Anyone used it? The HVAC guy installing it, thought it was the cats meow.
Replies
What was the advantage of the bladders over dampers?
The enemy of good is better.
This is for existing multistory house where there is no access to individual trunks.I first saw this a couple of months ago so I am not sure the details.But I think that they fish the pneumatic lines from the register to the furance. Then install a bladder behind the register grill.And each room gets a wireless thermostat. And the receiver/controller is at the furnace.Look like a slick, but expensive way of doing retro zoning..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Like Bill said, it's for when you can't get to the ducts.
Sorta like non invasive surgery. You know, like when they do your prostrate through your back door.
I guess one of the questions I have, is isn't the air flow restricted by the bladder in the duct even if and when it is deflated? That can't be good.
Like Bill said, it's for when you can't get to the ducts
I've seen controls on the register itself... so you don't have to get to the ducts
P
hmm... for about $50 ($10 on ebay) you can get a 24v damper motor... can run off you existing transformer... you can then wire the damper to any cheap thermostat to control it's off & on (open or close) so for a few hours work... and less than $100 per... you can do the same thing but better...
they'd have a hard time get'n me to pay 6k... but then the economy would have crashed far sooner if they were wait'n on me to become a consumer
P