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Highland Park case study

Hot and cold rooms traced to a starved return

Rooms that would not hold temperature, with the system running hard and still not reaching the far end of the house. What we measured, what we corrected, and what changed.

The comfort problem

Rooms that would not hold temperature, with the system running hard and still not reaching the far end of the house.

What we measured

Static pressure
1.17
Airflow delivered
1,200 CFM
Airflow required
1,500 CFM
Return pressure
High
Filter pressure
High

What the numbers told us

  • Pressure was being lost on the return side and across the filter, not in the equipment.
  • The system was moving 1,200 CFM where it needed 1,500 — short by 300, with no way to make it up.
  • Nothing about the furnace itself was failing. The ductwork was the constraint.

What we corrected

  • Added a return in the basement
  • Changed the fitting by the furnace and filter

What we measured afterwards

Static pressure
0.68

Pressure came down and airflow went up. The system stopped fighting its own ductwork.

Before and after

Photographs from this job, supplied by GV's.

Before

Basement ductwork before the work, with the original trunk running between the floor joists.
Before: Basement ductwork before the work, with the original trunk running between the floor joists.
The furnace with its service panel off, showing the original return connection.
Before: The furnace with its service panel off, showing the original return connection.

After

The rebuilt supply trunk after the work, with the new basement return in place.
After: The rebuilt supply trunk after the work, with the new basement return in place.
The air handler after the new fitting was installed by the furnace and filter.
After: The air handler after the new fitting was installed by the furnace and filter.

Identified by city only — no names, no addresses, nothing that identifies the household. More on why we publish the readings.

If this sounds like your house, call our team at (847) 729-9190 or request an assessment.