Home Ambient Temperature

rikanit

Question for you HVAC specialists. We have a small 1568 sq ft ranch with a full basement and the room temp always feels colder than it actually is. The furnace is a forced air 80k btu 92% efficiency unit propane fired. Home is well insulated with 2x6 walls etc. Just always feels chilly in here. Furnace has been checked yearly etc...

Would insulating the floor joists help any? Basement isn't heated so could I tap the existing duct trunk for heat down there as well? Any input appreciated.

locofoco

Try checking for window leakage. Some utilities will do a whole house pressure test for free. Cwlp used to do it in Springfield (IL). When that frigid air blows hard, its hard to keep it out even with good quality thermopanes. Had the same situation as yours when we lived near Chatham in the country. Furnace ran constantly in windy weather. It pays not to scrimp on windows, i even put storm windows on the thermopanes. It did'nt help much. Good luck.

locofoco

If your basement is cold cut a couple 6x10 sidewall diffusers into the trunk line. They should have an adjustable damper behind the face. Is your basement insulated? If not try insulating the outside rim area with batt insulation. Basement windows are notorious leakers, seal them up for the winter. As a last resort, If the basement remains cold, I'd think about Styrofoam on the concrete walls.

Bestheating

Check your humidity in the air. Humidifiers will tend to make it feel warmer, when working as they should. Just a thought. Basement heat is also important. Otherwise you will be always walking around on cold floors.