Trying To Balance HVAC System

[69er]

We are having problems balancing our system to provide even heating and cooling.

During the summer, the south side of the house, which has many double pane coated windows, is always warmer than the rest of the house. We partially close the registers in the other parts of the house which helps somewhat. But, this creates a lot of air and whistling noises on the closed down registers. And, the rooms that are first inline to receive air from the HVAC are uncomfortably cold.

During the winter, we reverse the register openings. This, however, creates too much heat in the rooms that are first inline to receive air from the unit. We shut those registers down which helps, but again, the air noise is excessive. One south room is still warmer than the other rooms.

I'm thinking we need to restrict the air flow for the rooms closest to the HVAC as they are always too cold in the summer and too hot in the winter. Restricting the ducts close to the HVAC would seem to help with the air noise. For the rooms on the south side, adding another duct might help for summer and try closing them down for winter.

It appears that something could have been done in the design to compensate for the extra windows on the south side.

I believe the HVAC is a 5 ton unit. the house is 1850 square feet with nine foot ceilings.

If I would have known this would be a problem, I would have considered a zoned system.

I haven't discussed this with the builder yet. I am expecting a fight, so I just want to get a little more educated to use as ammunition.

Any thoughts on solutions? Are there such things as remote/wireless adjustable restrictors?

Thank you so much for any help!

Larry

[rabadger]

The only way to get it balanced correctly is by starting with the industry suggested standard of performing a Manual J Room by Room Load Calculation. It will give you all the heating and cooling requirements for each room. Once you know that you can determine what type of system is required.

[handyman4life]

Balance HVAC air flow from the duct system if your HVAC has manual balancing dampers.

[handyman4life]

Refer to Manual J Room by Room Load Calculation for a better cooling and heating requirement in each room.

[mark-e-mark]

I am also trying to balance the air in two rooms. The rooms are connected by a long bathroom/hallway. The bedroom vents are larger and deliver great volumes of air so that it's cold in the summer. The office vents are smaller and that room is always too warm in summer and too cold in winter. I have closed one of the bedroom vents and tried to set vents in other rooms in an attempt to get more air in the office.

The Blower is in the attic above the bathroom, closer to the bedroom. The system uses flex-duct with mastic connections and insulated distribution boxes. The pipes feeding the office are probably 4 to 6 inch and have a long run to the blower. The bedroom is fed by large pipes, probably 8 inches, and the distance to the blower is much shorter.

My theory is that the bedroom should be ducted with 4" pipe and the office with 8. Perhaps add an in-line fan to the office supply duct. Does anyone here have experience with a situation like this? Can you offer me some advice? The hard part appears to be getting myself to the connections and ducting without stepping through the ceiling. I am in Texas, so there are no union concerns. What should a good contractor charge for this?