The promise of cooler temperature is right around the corner, but those scorching hot days still want to hang on for a while longer.
Have you walked into your house and noticed that the lower level of your home is cooler than the bedrooms upstairs?
This is a common issue for many homeowners. You may have tried lowering the temperature on the thermostat but likely haven’t noticed a difference.
Here are some common reasons for this problem and some possible solutions. If you are experiencing the issues discussed in this article, please contact an HVAC technician who can come diagnose the problem.
What Causes Your Second Floor To Be Too Hot?
Hot Air Is A Major Culprit
Hot air rises. If your HVAC unit is on the first floor, it has to work harder to push the hot air out of a space in order to allow the colder air to enter. The number of rooms in your house and the age of your HVAC unit are major components in determining how hard the unit has to work in order to cool the whole house. If severe enough you may need to consider repairing or replacing your AC system.
Your Roof
Your roof can also be contributing to the heat in the upper level of your home. Your roof absorbs the heat of the sun. The heat then travels through the attic and into the second floor of the house. Trees can provide shade and some roofing materials are reflective to help reduce this problem as well.
Ducts
Ducts are responsible for moving cool air from your HVAC system to the rooms in your house. If the ductwork is not installed properly, leaking, or older your HVAC system will have to work harder to cool the house. The second floor may also not have enough ductwork.
Now that you know some of the possible problems, it’s time to work on fixing them!
Possible Solutions
Change The Filters
Changing your air filters is one of the most inexpensive ways to increase airflow. A dirty filter will restrict airflow and make the unit work harder. So, make sure to check and replace the filter often.
Proper Insulation in The Attic
Proper insulation in the attic will help decrease the amount of heat that reaches the second floor. An attic fan will help circulate the air and also decrease the amount of hot air that reaches the rooms in your house. Ventilating the attic will control heat and moisture as well. It is important to make sure that nothing is blocking your upstairs vents and that the air-return vents are open.
Change The Fan Setting From “auto” To “on”
Changing the fan setting on your thermostat from “auto” to “on” can help mix the air more evenly throughout the entire house. Running the fan will not use a lot of energy and can actually save energy because the HVAC system will not need to cycle as often.
As you can see, some problems and solutions to why your second floor is hot are easier to diagnose and fix than others. If you’re afraid you might be in over your head call in the professionals, that’s what they are here for!