Stephen Ricks is a senior associate with Stantec Consulting, working in the mechanical department. He may be reached at 1932 First Ave., Suite 307, Seattle, Wash. 98101; 206-770-7759, or steve.ricks@stantec.com.
In order for the upper floor of a home to be near the temperature of the lower floor(s), the natural inclination of warm air to stratify upstairs has to be overcome. This creates a challenge for the system designer to use the limited capacity of residential furnace blowers to ensure that air is put where it is needed.