OT - Any HVAC Types around?, Vents, point which way? Options

[DuckRyder]

O.K. heres the question:

In my house all of the vent louvres point toward an outside wall (and they are all near a wall) as a result, it usually feels real warm by the wall and real not warm in the room.

Is there a proper way to determine which way a vent points, and what is it.

(I'm talking about the downstairs, and the vents are in the roof, I don't ever go upstairs and there isn't any bitching from up there, so it must not need fidling with)

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment. [wheres the blanket smilie?]

[SpecialK]

Most houses I've seen run what is called "perimeter heating", where the supply vents are located along exterior walls (and usually under the windows). The return grilles are located centrally, usually in the hallway. The object of this system is to lessen the propagation of cold (in the winter), and heat (summer) through the walls and windows. As for which way the louvers are pointed, it doesn't matter as much as the location of the supply vent in the room. If the rooms seem cold with the doors shut you probably don't have a big enough gap at the bottom of the door to allow proper circulation (air going out helps air to get in...1" is usually sufficient). Also, depending on how many return grilles you have, and if they're located on the wall (high, low, or both), partially blocking off the grill (upper one in winter, lower one in summer), will lessen the temperature stratification in the house (too warm at the ceiling, too cold down by the floor).

Got any pics of what you're talking about? Might help to see it.