HVAC System Pros And Cons Related to High Ceilings

So you bought a house with high ceilings, maybe a tray or vaulted ceiling, and some of the rooms have ceilings taller than nine feet. You still love it; it was just the house you wanted. It meets your style and aesthetic, but . . . you weren’t prepared for the higher energy bills that come with high ceilings or the way it affects the comfort of the rest of the house.

No worries. People typically buy houses for the looks and know little about the systems “behind the walls.” You really admire the faucet, but you didn’t check to see whether the pipes were copper or PVC. Believe me, this is very typical. But now, as a responsible homeowner, you need to step up and figure out ways to make it all work together.

The first question is—why should I care what the temperature is twelve feet up? Consider these two reasons:

• Most homes have central heat and air, which will circulate all the air throughout the house. If the heat is allowed to build up in the upper reaches, it will be brought back down to affect temps in living spaces. The temperature should be relatively similar all the way to the peak of the vault.
• Wall finishes are damaged by extremes; extreme cold, extreme heat, and extreme changes in temperatures. Allowing heat to build-up can cause paint to peel or drywall joints to crack.

The second question is—what can I do? Here are a few suggestions:

• Ensure your HVAC system is properly sized. How did you end up with the heating and AC system you have? A qualified technician completed a “load calculation” to determine the proper size system your home required.

  Typically, the calculation factors in the square footage of the house, since most ceilings are below nine feet tall. With high ceilings, the calculation must also factor in the volume of the air in the vault or tray ceiling to ensure the proper size HVAC system.

If your high ceiling is the result of a remodel plan, the load calculation must be completed again. The additional space may require an upgrade to provide the comfort your family needs. In summer, the increased air volume will require your AC to run longer cycles to keep the air cool.

• Many vaulted ceilings do not have attic space above. Often, the attic is a buffer with significant amounts of insulation with air movement to keep it from getting too hot. Make sure the space in the vault is adequately insulated.
• Look for proper ductwork design. The contractor that built the vaulted ceiling knew that hot air rises and the HVAC system would need to circulate that air. Your inspection may uncover a high and a low air return. In the summer, hot air rises and will get “stuck” up high without some help. A return air vent draws that hot air into the ducts to be cooled and recirculated.

  During summer, the lower return can be covered with a magnetic cover, leaving the cool air to make the living space comfortable. During winter, open both returns to assist with keeping living spaces warm and comfy.

• Install a ceiling fan. If your vaulted ceiling does not have a ceiling fan, consider installing sufficient fans to circulate the air. Install rod extensions to bring the fans closer to the living space. Ceiling fans designed for spaces with high ceilings typically move more air than normal fans.

Ceiling fans turn in both directions to move air up or down as needed. In both summer and winter, the ceiling fan should turn counterclockwise, pushing air down. In the summer, hot air is pushed down to ensure it recirculates; in the winter, warm air is pushed down to help make the house warm and cozy.

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