I'm adding a St. Croix SCF 050 to the mix this year to help heat the house. I'd rather have the mess and noise in my utility area than in my living room. I know the furnace is a bit undersized for my needs, but I couldn't get a Revolution, couldn't find a Fahrenheit, and the PF 100 was too much. I got a screaming deal on a NOS SCF, so I'm gonna take it and run with it. My LP furnace duct work has 17 registers and a 1450 CFM blower, and there still isn't much air coming out of the vents. There was no way that the 800 CFM blower on the SCF was going to work with the current duct work. I was originally planning on running new duct work for the SCF and using the basement as the cold air return. Today, I had an epiphany. I have dampers installed on each run, right off the main trunk. Maybe I could close 8-9 of those dampers, and then plumb the SCF into the current duct work? Obviously I'd have to open and close those dampers switching from heat to AC in the spring. I'll still have my CPM as back up in case the SCF goes down or if it can't keep up. Unless we take a midwinter vacation, I don't have any plans of running the LP anytime soon. I'll tap into the cold air return and add appropriate dampers, obviously. Thoughts? It seems to obvious to me, and I wonder why I didn't think of this before, and why my HVAC guy didn't point this out to me.
Closing vents should do. I'd close the central vents and allow the exterior vents to flow towards the return air. You'LL probably only need to close 7 or 8. It may be possible to use them all, But at a reduced rate(approx 60% open). Edit, We may be also able to slightly increase the fan speed. We might be able to soup up the blower a little with a motor rpm increase. Or if the cost is reasonable might be able to swap the blower for a higher CFM. I can usually(read not always) cross certain blowers. Migh take a little tweeking. But its could be a possibility. Closing the dampers or room vents is the no brainer way to start. But if issues happen we can do some tinkering if need be!
I only have 7 registers to my Fahrenheit, out of 14 total. Looking forward to your install. Is your basement one open space? Is there a way to close off some of it and only heat the small portion with the Scf-050? Hooking into the Cold air return seems ideal, but if the area of the basement is pretty small? Then I wouldn't bother. The extra heat down their (from return air) will help keep your pipes warm. Our laundry is downstairs. That was the reason I was adding the Wood burner. But then a deal came along on the Fahrenheit. . I had to do both. I don't "need" 3 heating devices. But the deal I got on them was ridiculous. I only paid $800 or $900 for everything for my wood stove. Everything. . Crazy cheap. Good luck bro and if I can be of any assistance? I would be happy to help (I'm off the weekend of Oct 31st. But offered to help another member one of those days. So if it conflicts? I will try and time it to do both.)
I do just what you suggested - close several of my dampers in the winter and open them in the spring. It takes about 10 minutes to do and makes a big difference.
Thanks for the thoughts. When I started planning this, I got hung up on how much ductwork was there, and totally neglected the obvious solution. Only slightly annoying considering I have two holes cut for new registers already. I'm hoping to heat the basement too, there is about 800 sq ft there, but it's pretty well insulated and air sealed, so it shouldn't take much to heat it. I'd rather use the cold air return than the basement stairs. I don't really want to leave the basement door open, although between a potential cat door and the crack at the bottom, that might be enough. I might take you up on the offer to help with the install Dex. Not sure if I'll be ready yet, but if you're willing and able, I can be ready! Once we get closer, let me know if that weekend still works out for you. Just might have to take you up on the offer if it works out. I have beer, wife makes a good chili.
I leave my basement door closed and remove the flapper for our Cat door. It works great! Just let me know and I'm there!; I already removed my door in preparation for this heating season.
I don't want my pets(pests) in the basement, So I installed a louvered door to my basement. They also have louver kits you can add to any door pretty easy.
I thought about adding a louver/vent in the door. The kitty litter box stays in our basement. So I had to install a door. Timber use to use it (My Shepard puppy). But that was only for about a month. He is almost 8 months now and over 84 lbs. He is going to be a big boy!
Interesting cat door!Have no mouse protectors(right now) have to post a picture of mine,through the side of the house!
