Keeping Your Upstairs Comfortable

Posted: July 25, 2022 by Hey Neighbor

The central air conditioning system in your Holmes or Wayne County Ohio home is supposed to keep your entire living area at a comfortable temperature, even on the most sweltering summer days.

But, if your family lives in a two-story home or your place has even more floors, you probably feel the frustration of having a comfortable downstairs temperature and a much higher one as soon as you get to the top landing. Even the best ceiling fan in the world can't make a hot upstairs cool enough without the help of adequate air conditioning. We have the AC tips you need if you want to make your upstairs comfy.

Why is my second floor so hot?

You've probably heard before that heat rises. As with any place, this is also true in your house, even with the best HVAC system installed. Your system pulls out the hot, stagnant air and brings in cool, conditioned air. However, if all the warm air rises to the second floor, your AC may not be cooling the upstairs effectively because the first floor is already at the ideal temperature.

Also, the top floor is closer to the roof, and the roof gets all the heat and sunlight. In addition, if there isn't enough insulation between your attic crawl space and your upstairs rooms, your AC needs to work much harder to make up the difference.

How do I improve my second-floor cooling?

You're not stuck with a hot upstairs. Use these simple techniques to improve the airflow throughout your upper floors and enjoy your home year-round.

Turn the fan on to increase airflow. One of the ways an air conditioner can remove warm air is by setting the thermostat fan to ON. When you keep the fan on, you increase airflow. Of course, this will also increase your electric bill and overall noise level. A good compromise might be to set your fan back to AUTO at night.

Increase the size of second-floor return vents to remove more hot air. If you have a large upstairs area and small return air registers, your HVAC system probably isn't getting the job done efficiently. The small air returns make your system work harder than it should to remove warm air upstairs. By making the vents bigger, you may be able to improve your cooling system's airflow and efficiency.

Invest in a dual-zone system. This is perhaps the most foolproof solution, but it also may be the most expensive. That said, if nothing else seems to keep your top floor cool, a dual-zone system will effectively cool your entire home. Why? Because A dual-zone HVAC system utilizes two separate AC condensers - one each for upstairs and downstairs. Each unit works independently to keep its designated floor cool at all times. Also, a dual-zone system can reduce energy usage and the monthly cost of cooling your home by working independently as needed.

Have our professionals inspect your ductwork. While you can do some of this yourself, our HVAC professionals will be able to spot problems you might miss. For example, we'll also check other things, such as a clogged filter restricting airflow throughout your home. We'll also check for leaks or gaps in your ducts, as these will prevent cooled air from even reaching your upper floors.

Upgrade to a new air conditioner. Unfortunately, no HVAC system will last forever. Eventually, your air conditioning unit will lose efficiency and restrict airflow. At that point, a new central AC system is the only way to improve cooling upstairs. Before you buy a new system, though, call Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling! Our neighborly Comfort Consultants will visit your home and verify if a new system is the best option for your family and how to get the right one for your home.

More tips for cooling your second floor

As well as describing how to care for your HVAC unit, these tips help create the ideal environment for your AC to work effectively. Before you invest in new HVAC technology, try a few of these tips to keep your upstairs cool.

Reduce sunlight. During the humid summer months here in Ohio, give your air conditioner some help by making the cooling process easier. Putting up shades on your second-floor windows reduces the sun's heat, and your AC system can do its job better.

Properly insulate. You're probably already aware, but your attic space is the hottest part of your house. Ample insulation ensures that the cool air remains in your interior space, and the hot air stays outside.

Install an attic exhaust fan. Similar to insulation, this solution reduces the heat in your attic, pulling in fresh, cool air to displace the hot, stagnant air. This keeps your second floor cooler, as it isn't covered by an overheated attic.

Close one or two first-floor supply vents. If you have ground-level areas that don't need as much cooling, you can help your AC reach the second floor by closing a vent or two. Be careful not to close too many vents, however, as the added duct pressure can overwork your HVAC system and potentially cause a breakdown and a service call.

Trust Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling to keep your second floor comfortable year-round

If your family is weary of your home's miserably hot upstairs, it's time to let our neighborly heating and cooling professionals step in. Call Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling! We'll improve the airflow in your home, ensuring comfortable temperatures upstairs and down, as well as excellent indoor air quality in a finely-tuned system.

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