That open floor plan trend is a nightmare for HVAC zoning

I helped a buddy finish out his 3,000 square foot custom build in Nashville last month and we had to rip out the ductwork twice because the living/kitchen/dining all open into one giant space with no way to balance the temps between the windows and the interior walls, has anyone else dealt with this or do people just give up and run space heaters?

2 comments

2 Comments

calebm4620d ago

Hold on, I actually think that open floor plan saved me in my last house. I have a 2,800 square foot ranch with vaulted ceilings and the single zone system keeps it perfectly even because the air just moves freely. My buddy's house is all chopped up with separate rooms and he's got a 15 degree difference between his office and his living room because the return air can't circulate. A couple ceiling fans and a good thermostat placement and you're golden, I honestly don't know why people fight it so hard.

the_ruby19d ago

...and see but @calebm46, I've got the exact opposite problem. My 2,600 square footer is mostly open and the air just dead zones in the middle because the vents near the windows blast cold and the ones near the interior walls don't do squat. Ceiling fans just stir the dust around. Honestly feels like you either pick a room to freeze in or let the whole place be lukewarm.