[Shop-talk] Heating question (not so much shop related.)

[old dirtbeard]

Hi Moose,

As you say there are a lot of variables, but I believe that just running
the lower unit will be more efficient:

   1. The heat from the lower floors will tend to rise to the upper floors
   naturally, and the upper floors are acting like additional insulation for
   the furnace. Heating the upper floor directly would have the heat from
   there escape through the roof, while the heat from the bottom furnace
   escapes to the upper floors and then through the roof.
   2. Having one furnace run longer than two furnaces running shorter will
   be more efficient. Furnaces need to heat-up all the duct work when they
   first cycle on. Having one furnace run longer cycles than two
   furnaces running shorter cycles should be more efficient and have less heat
   loss in the ducts.

Disclaimer: I am not a heating contractor and am just speaking on
information for which I am aware.

best,

doug

On Wed, Nov 24, 2021 at 6:26 AM <eric at megageek.com> wrote:

> OK, this is more of a thought experiment, but here is the back story.
>
> My house is over 200 years old.  2 years ago I got  vinyl siding and
> better insulation.  REALLY good insulation.
> I have programmable thermostats (2 zones, downstairs and upstairs.)
> I keep them at about 64 degrees when I'm there.
> Turns out, the batteries in the upstairs one went dead and my upstairs
> zone hasn't turned on in over a year.
> HOWEVER, I really like how the house is.  The downstairs is as warm as I
> want, and the upstairs is just slightly cooler, but it's perfect for
> sleeping.
>
> My question is, is it more efficient to have the upstairs not run heat?
> Or is the downstairs working much harder to compensate?
>
> I know there are lots of variables, but what do you guys think?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Moose_______________________________________________
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