[commerce48]

The hallway ceiling intake is quite large (sheet metal) looking up into it when the screen filer in is removed- did this in order to confirm that a cool breeze is blowing down thru this return when the system is off. Have asked contractor why/how to correct this.

There is a clear thermal break in temp right at the beginning of the hallway where the largest ceiling return is located 14x25.

That sounds like cause and effect to me! Fix that.

 

[commerce48]

You with your magic return grille and he with his free energy ideas. :bsing:

:angel:

Good one!

 

[commerce48]

Its worth the "hefty price" to have your home audited. If you think the price of the audit is hefty then you are really gonna be shocked at what some of the improvements to your thermal envelope would cost.

And how cheap some of them are for the return on investment.

 

[commerce48]

Here is a decent short read concerning air flow.

http://www.specjm.com/files/pdf/80-6-ISD.pdf

I notice that there is not a single mention of a return in this. Perhaps that is why you posted it?

What was intriguing was a separate enclosed article in the link on VAV systems. It suggested that stratification issues with such systems were found mostly in mild climates, and could be solved with high/low switchable supplies. That certainly has echos of Brian return arguments, but would seem to support the claims that supply distribution (throw and location) is far more important that return location.

 

[commerce48]

Since typical "payback" on new windows is 28 years, getting half back at resale still means 14 years.

Is dat dare one of dem thumb rules?

While in general, the facts support that windows replacement result in the longest ROI (but sometimes the fastest comfort improvements in several areas), you do a disservice to make up such a number. I know you are trying to sell your services to homeowners, but that is stretching things a bit. Ideally, they can afford both, so there is no need for negative sell. It is just a question of priorities, and sometimes drafty windows are the priority.

Quotes for window replacement on my modest home ranged from 3K to 9K. Does that mean my payback is 84 years if I go for the expensive ones? Will the cheapo ones add any resale value at all?

Do you consider sliding glass doors to be a window? Replacing those can make more difference in comfort that everything else put together in such rooms.

 

[commerce48]

TThen with the blower door on i show the customer how to use my $10,000 thermal imaging camera and then hand it over to them and let them walk around go wow whoa look at that cold air coming in through such and such.

A Fluke by any other name is still.... Of course, sounds like you must have one of the best ones. I've used a friend's $8,000 one, or so he says. Great toy!

Paid $300 to a private energy auditor here in Ohio. They also used a Fluke and a blower door. No duct testing, but I think that is rare unless it is specifically an HVAC contractor (possibly less rare in places like California where inspectors test new construction).