Operation Stuffy: Help me with my plan to improve my upstairs circulation and cooling (and probably help many others too)(x-post r/HomeImprovement).

Hello All,

This is going to be quite a post but I'm going to do my best. Here is the situation:

• 3 Level Brick Townhouse (Basement walkout in rear)
• 2 ton A/C unit in backyard (basement level)
• ~1600 sq ft total

Issues:

• Basement is typically 10-12 degrees cooler than upstairs
• bedrooms have almost NO airflow when doors are closed due to return being in the hallway
• A/C runs too often and has trouble keeping up

Current (Insufficient) Workarounds:

• close all basement registers
• open upstairs registers 100%
• run with fan only 45 minutes per hour
• cry myself to sleep at night

Plans:

• Enlarge basement return or add another to draw in more cool air to be moved upstairs
• Add proposed returns upstairs where shown and tie into main return in attic and remove hot air
• Add deflectors to registers under furniture to push cool air out and aid mixing
• seal any gaps at registers/ returns

Here is a diagram of all three levels of the house. Arrows going away from walls are registers, ones going towards walls are returns.

Here are the stats of the registers, returns, and total sq in of supply/return on each level

Miscellaneous / Additional Information

Main Level Return

Main level Register under couch. (Should I use one of these?)

Upstairs return in Hallway. This is Image 2

Proposed return location in Master above closet. Plan is to use this ceiling boot

Proposed return location in bedroom two above bathroom door. Plan to use this ceiling boot

Furnace and Furnace specs

Proposed basement return for enlargement

A/C Unit and A/C Unit Specs

I tried to format this to the best of my ability. Apologies for any issues.

I would love any feedback on my plan along with anyone else's experiences and opinions!

Thanks in advance everyone!

submitted by /u/FlyingBasset
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