[odie91]

Two story colonaial house, 2600 sq ft.

For the purpose of getting ride of some soffets in the 1st floor kitchen, we're looking into a scheme that requires the moving of vents in the 2nd floor master bedroom.

Currently the bedroom (in corner of 2nd floor, with 2 external walls) has supply vents in floor, one at each external wall. Return vent is on inner wall, and goes to attic to a main trunk that routes down into basement in center of house.

New scheme potentially has one supply staying where it is, but the 2nd floor going to inner wall. Return vent going to the outer wall near window. I know this is not conventional design, but how big a deal is this? One HVAC contractor said it's not how they'd design it optimally, but it won't make too much difference. Other HVAC contractor told me big big big no no (but he also said my alternative is to go 2 zone and add a 2nd unit in attic, so forgive me if i'm a little bit skeptical).

I will post follow up photos in a minute....

 

[odie91]

I've shown the approximate location of the center of the house. The supply trunk runs east, then branches two the two vents. The return vent goes to attic first, then drops down the trunk. There are windows on the north wall.

 

[odie91]

I've shown the approximate location of the center of the house. The supply trunk runs east, then branches two the two vents. The return vent goes to attic first, then drops down the trunk. There are windows on the north wall.

 

[odie91]

Here is the new scheme. The return would go to outer wall near north windows. As before, it would go to attic first then main return trunk.

The new supply vents would both come off the same run of duct. I guess the good thing (?) is that I'd be shortening the length of the supply duct and eliminating several elbows ?

 

[beenthere]

The corner between where the supplies currently are. Will become a few to several degrees cooler in winter, and warmer in summer.

 

[yuri]

Put the return in the middle of the external wall and it will even out the airflow better. Add another if possible on that wall may help.

 

[Bret86844]

My 1947 house is designed with center supply, perimeter wall return. I haven't noticed a difference to any other house. And actually the returns seem to capture the drafts, whereas the warm supply seems to fight the draft.

Bottom line, it's not ideal but it's not a show stopper.

 

[yuri]

In a cold climate like mine you want the supply near the windows so they don't sweat or frost up.

If the room is small enough that may not be a problem.