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Why is My House Cold Downstairs and Hot Upstairs? If you’re like many other homeowners this summer, you may find yourself wondering why your second (or third) floors are hotter than the ground floor of your home. If your first floor is cool and comfortable, why does it feel like your upper level could easily be compared to walking through the desert? We’ll get into ‘the why,’ but the most important thing you need to know is that you don’t have to settle for being uncomfortable in any room of your home.
Why does it get hotter upstairs?
● Heat rises: the most obvious of the reasons, when it comes to physics, cold air sinks to the bottom while heat rises to the top. This means, even if your A/C is working like a champ to keep you cool, your upstairs will always be warmer than the downstairs.
● Your roof gets hot: Unless you’re lucky enough to live under shade, your roof likely gets very hot during the summer months, as it absorbs a lot of heat from the sun. This heat seeps into your attic and, if not insulated properly, the upper level of your home.
● Bad ductwork can also lead to a difference between the first and upper levels of your home. If your ductwork is old, leaky, or was improperly installed, the air your A/C cools will always struggle to evenly control temps in your home.
● Your A/C is old. There’s really no way around this one. If your unit is older than 10-15 years, climate discrepancies can mean it’s nearing the end of its lifespan and simply no longer has the capacity to cool your home properly. Fortunately, Trane offers a line of quiet and energy-efficient units to keep every room of your home cool and comfortable.
● Your home may be set up as a single-zone system. A single-zone system refers to one A/C per room. They’re great if you want to control the climate in a single room, but not so great if you’re trying to keep an entire floor cool. Consider switching to a multi-zone system that will allow you to control the climate in multiple rooms or zones.
How to Cool Your Second Floor
While nothing beats addressing the root of the problem, there are some quick fixes you can do to cool your home’s upper level. We’ve gathered some tips below:
● Use shades or blinds to block the sun streaming in through windows and doors.
● Add extra insulation in your attic or under your roof; consider an attic fan or air sealing the space to keep heat out and air flowing.
● If applicable, repair your ductwork.
● Change your air filters regularly.
● Avoid creating additional heat by minimizing your light and appliance usage.
● Switch your fan from auto to on, on the thermostat.
● Use fans (ceiling and floor) to keep air moving.
● Adjust your vents: keep your second-floor vents 100% open and first-floor vents partially open. This will help distribute cooled air evenly.
● Create climate zones. Close vents to rooms you don’t need cooled while opening vents in rooms you do. You can take this up a notch by installing a professional zoning system, like the Trane ComfortLink II Zoning System, a smart home comfort program that allows you to remotely manage your home’s climate and set a cooling/heating schedule based on your home’s unique temperature patterns.
● Consider adding an additional HVAC unit. If you’ve tried everything to no avail, your unit may not be big enough for your house. Contact our team today, and we can help you find the best Trane system for your needs.
Have the Right Expectations
Lastly, especially during the summer months, it’s important to be aware of what your home’s climate should look like so you know if it’s functioning properly or not. For example, if you live in Southeast Texas, where summer temperatures rise well into the 100s, your home’s A/C may never get the temperature down to a cool 68 degrees in the middle of a hot day. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t working properly.
So, if you’ve tried the tips listed above and still can’t bear your home’s heat, we can help. We can show you how to regulate your thermostat and set cooling schedules so your home cools off when you’re there and gives your A/C a break when you aren’t. Or, if you need a new unit, we can help recommend one that best suits your home’s needs. It may even lower your utility bills while we’re at it.
Heating and Cooling Experts in East Texas – Air Solutions of Beaumont
At Air Solutions, we can help you with any of your HVAC needs. Whether you need an inspection, regular maintenance, or a brand new unit, our experienced technicians are here for you. We carry an extensive line of Trane products, such as the XV20i TruComfort™ Variable Speed, one of the most efficient systems on the market.
For more information about our heating and cooling system selection, or to schedule an appointment for repair or maintenance, contact us today at (409) 962-2476, or visit us at airsolutionstx.com/contact.
