Subj : Stormy To : Nancy Backus From : Barry Martin Date : Sun Dec 08 2019 10:12:00 Hi Nancy! NB>>> Ran out of time last night for the rest of this set.... so here NB>>> we go... BM>> When you start nodding while at the keyboard it's time to shuffle off BM>> to bed! NB>> It was less that as that I needed still to do my bbs route (need NB>> to be finished before midnight) and then read my packets... and NB>> it was already IIRC getting on close to eleven... after ten, NB>> anyway... BM> Late enough one is starting to think of winding down. NB> True... and I suppose to some extent, doing the bbs run (getting NB> message packets, playing my turn(s) in the games, etc) and then NB> reading the packets and saving messages (leaving messages unread NB> if planning to do a reply later to them) could be seen as a sort NB> of winding down... it often is the last major thing I'd be doing NB> before going to bed.... ;) Everyone has different routines and what they find as relaxation. :) BM>>> on a sweater or maybe one of the electric heaters for a bit -- not BM>>> going to increase the temperature downstairs as would be too warm down BM>>> there. (Yes, there is a note to check out zoned heating/cooling again BM>>> -- in the past not quite workable financially.) NB>>> Sweaters and heaters work well enough, but the zoned heating NB>>> would be more convenient... :) Here, the upstairs tends to NB>>> collect the heat from downstairs, so it works out as it is... :) BM>> Here the upstairs _doesn't_ collect the heat: would have figured the BM>> "hot air rises" thing would work but it doesn't. Well, probably some BM>> but not as one would expect. There is air movement: close the door at BM>> the base of the stairs to ajar and one can feel the cool air moving. BM>> And yes, the door is open. The Computer Room (upstairs in the BM>> original part of the house) has only a vent; the return is gravity BM>> feed. Asked: adding a return probably would not make a difference. BM>> And yes, there is heat coming out and it is not blocked. Adding a BM>> booster fan may make a half-degree difference: over the years they've BM>> stopped because of dust getting in the motor and the temperature seems BM>> the same; probably more psychological effect. NB>> IIRC, your second story is more a half story, with slanted NB>> ceilings...? That might play into the air circulation... BM> Yes: the original house was a story-and-a-half, and the Computer Room BM> is in the upper level. Heat/air conditioning vent is from the furnace, BM> over a bit, up, back over and out. Return is via the stairs and while BM> there is a door at the bottom (first floor) I installed a door stop so BM> it won't be shut accidentally. And another yes on the slanted ceilings, NB> That's what I thought I remembered... Good memory! As for the ductwork, I don't think there is excessive heat loss (or gain in summer) as the metal duct is insulated in the Storage Area (where it crosses over a few feet to the wall here). Also seems to have reasonable pressure, thought I do use a fan to help suck the heated/cooled air in. Back to the temperature, seems close to what comes out of the vents on the first floor. NB>> We have a full attic over our second story, and stairwells at either NB>> end of the hallway, so the air circulates well, and heat does tend to NB>> come up here, winter and summer... The attic tends to stay cold in NB>> winter, and heat up in summer, but we can exhaust the heat in summer, NB>> so will have the door to the attic open in the warmer months.... BM> It does tend to warm up on the second floor in summer and get a little BM> cool in winter -- nature of things. The whole house was re-insulated BM> several years ago over a two year year period to maximize rebates; the BM> first year's project seemed to be a lot better than the second year BM> but nothing's wrong -- just the feeling. AFAIK the second year's BM> project is fine - done correctly, etc., just ... something but nothing. BM> And of course the Computer Room was done as part of the second year BM> project. NB> The extra insulation would help some, but with the second story NB> being part attic, it would tend to be more affected by the NB> outdoor temps than if you had a full attic over to provide NB> another layer so-to-speak of insulation.... Yes; probably close to the same as what is occurring here: the Computer Room is essentially in an attic, so even though insulated doesn't have the buffer of an attic space. BM>> For now the window air conditioners in the summer and the occasional BM>> use of the portable heaters in the winter. NB>> The more primitive version of zoned heating/cooling... ;) BM> True. May stay that way. NB> Costs less, and all that... ;) Short term anyway! That would be part of the consideration for zoned HVAC, or a second furnace and air conditioner (probably a heat pump). NB>>>> Not really.... by the time we get to this part of the year, it's NB>>>> dark by about 5 anyway... And there's all that really un-useful NB>>>> light in the summertime... so that kids have to stay up way past NB>>>> bedtime just to see fireworks nicely.... BM>>> I need to pay a bit better attention to detail answer that one. Know BM>>> it's almost dark when eating dinner now; if I'm up here before dinner BM>>> almost time to close the blinds, by the time get back up here BM>>> definitely time to close. NB>>> So, probably should close them just before you go down to dinner... :) NB>>> Even though it's almost a case of too little too late, I've been NB>>> appreciating it being lighter earlier in the morning... :) BM>> I'm liking it also. Lightly considering what it would be like if the BM>> state or country decided to go with year-round DST instead of standard BM>> time. I'm thinking the primary thing will be Sun will not be where it BM>> belongs at noon. Right now I'm still leaning towards a year-round BM>> standard time. Illinois is trying to pass a measure to go on year- BM>> round DST; needs federal approval to do so even if the state passes. BM>> No idea why they decided on 'ahead' rather than 'on time'. NB>> Either they aren't thinking clearly, or have been brainwashed... NB>> which might amount to the same thing.... ;) BM> Knowing Illinois.... Will be interesting getting used to across the BM> River it's a different time part of the year. NB> If they indeed do go through with it, and get the approval and NB> all... I doubt that all the states would go along with it, after NB> all HI and AZ already are staying strictly on standard time... Right. Even if Illinois (or any other state) passes it still has to be approved by the federal government. Would also seem there should be approval by an international agency: flights (Chicago!) have to be coordinated (though probably GMT plus or minus hours), seems like business hours, though again GMT-based.... ¯ ® ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ® ¯ @Q.COM ® ¯ ® .... 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