Heating and ventilation for 1-1/2 storey

[skiwest]

As far heating goes just going seat of pants and was going to put it out there for comment. 

building a 20x32 with loft with 2 foot pony wall 20 by 22ish.  loft is open to main floor .

Was planning on wood stove for main heat located by front door in open area.  Would have floor heating in bathroom in back corner plus some base boards 1500w and 1000w to maintain min temp while away.  There is only one enclosed room other than bathroom which is bedroom on main floor which has no heat at all.

I have  concern that heat will collect in the ceiling of the loft and be too hot in loft and too cool on main floor.

Was thinking as still at insulate and wiring stage to allow for exhaust fan from floor of loft down into kitchen ceiling.  Use one of those wall mounted panosonic 70 cfm bathroom exhaust fans.

Also could use one in spare bedroom and have discharge right back to wood stove.

Any thoughts

I'll add temp will go down to -40 at times but not very often but in winter -20C is pretty common.  Want to use wood as much as possible as have tons cut and lots more in a pile from the 2 acres that was cleared.

[MountainDon]

You're absolutely right that hot air will rise to the highest point, especially with a vaulted ceiling. Ceiling fans can help a lot and do not use much power.

An air recirculation system such as you propose would also help. Since you are still in the building stage that would be easy. I have no idea on what the volume capacity of the system should have though. But I'm certain you are on the right track with wanting to move the air from here to there.

I run the furnace fan on low speed [high efficiency variable speed DC motor] when the hot air solar collectors are putting out heat. They all feed into the main area of the house and it overheats while other areas get too cool otherwise. I have no idea of the fan volume though.

[skiwest]

Did some searches on that it seems that for continious ventilation 3 air changes per hour are required.  So for a small bedroom 42 cfm would be required.  not sure about my loft to kitchen fan.  Seems like I'd need around 200 cfm.  Would like to duct it right from peak but wife has issues with that.  Think could duct from back of loft at floor level like a cold return down to kitch floor.

[glenn kangiser]

There is going to be some stratification of air even in the loft, so if you could work an air intake from the top of the loft -- maybe through the walls to the kitchen ? it would be more efficient.  Pulling cold air from the floor of the loft may pull more heated air up there.

Just throwing out a few thoughts.

[skiwest]

Your right and that was original plan.  Its my job to make it look good enough so not a problem.  Don't want to take it up in wall though. was thinking of black duct tucked behind one of the beams.  Could run it on inside of wall , down though floor into bathroom in the closet for panel and hot water tank.  Box it in later.  Duct to floor.  Would think that one of those in line fans in the closet would work and be pretty quiet.

I would think that would have to put grill in door or through wall so no restriction getting air back from bathroom  back to wood stove.  Could wire it so when bathroom lights on recirc fan off.

[glenn kangiser]

When I used to build wood stoves, the inventor was a friend and he designed it so that cold air could be ducted under the base.  Ducts came from the floors on the far side of the house to the bottom of the stove-- as air was heated convection currents pulled cold air from the far side of the house through ducts under the floor which in turn pulled warm air into the far corners of the house through open doors or vents. hmm