Ducted central heating

[Sqad]

Duplex flat heated by ducted central heating, separate controls for upstairs and downstairs.

Both upstairs and downstairs set at 20C, but upstairs really warm, downstairs cold.

Yes, heat rises, but how can you keep downstairs warm?

[woofgang]

set the downstair setting high and the upstair setting lower........

[Sqad]

woofgang ;-)

With the upstairs OFF and downstairs 23C, downstairs is bloody cold still and upstairs bloody hot.

Thanks anyway.....have you got ducted central heating.....if so, do you have any trouble?

[Playbill]

Hi Sqad,

I have ducted central heating in my flat and think the problem is that the system is very inefficient. My flat is on one level, well insulated and double glazed, yet I still struggle to keep an even temperature all round.

I found out after I had bought the place that most people in the block had changed to radiators many years ago.

[Sqad]

Playbill...Hi!....LOL........yepp! that is the conclusion that I have arrived at also.

Thanks to you and woofgang.

[The Builder]

El Sqad, the only ones I've come across were in bungalows, so, single level. I can see where the laws of physics would take over with a duplex. Invariably, the fault was with the fan not coming on when required. Is your system fan-assisted?

[Sqad]

The builder.........thanks........I have no idea as the main "thrust" is on the roof.....BUT.......I can hear a "whiiiir" in the garage when it comes on.

[The Builder]

Sounds like it. If there's no fan running to distribute the warm air around the lower floor, then it all rises to the highest point.
Do you have a wall-mounted thermostat?

[Sqad]

Yes......thermostat downstairs and a separate one upstairs...........but it matters not to which temps you set them OR which fan speeds one selects............cold downstairs and hot upstairs.

[jomifl]

If you cannot prevent the warm air downstairs from going upstairs by shutting a door then turn the upstairs heating right down and set the downstairs at the temperature you want. Leave it for a day or so to come to equilibrium. If it is still too cold downstairs and too warm upstairs then you need to impede the flow of warm air to the upstairs. A curtain at the bottom of the stairs would be my first recourse, if that doesn't work then a door is probably necessary. Could it be that the warm air upstairs is escapung somwehere, thus allowing cold air to enter downstairs?

[The Builder]

Ok. It needs to be looked at by a heating electrician. Various things...... fans, thermostats. Simple things that can affect the whole system. Sometimes there's even a thermostatically controlled shutter that closes off the duct when not in use. That could be closed somewhere.
I'm desperately trying to avoid reference to thermostatic flaps as it might invite innuendo from some of your female followers ;o)

[Sqad]

Builder

\\\\I'm desperately trying to avoid reference to thermostatic flaps as it might invite innuendo from some of your female followers ;o)\\\

LOL...the wrong ones unfortunately.

jomifl.....trouble is it is "open plan".....nowhere to fix a curtain OR door.

Thanks folks......much appreciated.