If you often find yourself uncomfortably warm when you go upstairs to bed at night, or you’ve simply noticed a major difference in temperature between the floors in your home, you might be wondering what’s going on and how to cool things down. Well, AFM Heating & Cooling has the answers!
Causes
There are a few different things that can be causing your second floor to be uncomfortably warm, and depending on which it is you may have to use a different approach to solve the problem.
- You probably remember from way back in science class that heat rises. Warm air particles are further apart, making the air less dense and therefore lighter and able to rise, similar to the way water will sit on top of oil because of the difference in densities. If this is the problem, a newer or larger HVAC system capable of accommodating the size and needs of your home might be your best solution.
- If rising heat is not your problem, heat absorption through your roof might be. Unless your roof is protected from direct sunlight, it is possible for a lot of the heat to be absorbed through your roof and directed downward into your attic and then into your second floor living space.
- If neither of those is your problem, you might be having trouble with your ductwork, insulation, or seals. If your ducts are old and leaking, blocked, or there simply aren’t enough leading to your second floor, you might not be getting enough cool air – causing excessive heat. Additionally, if a room is not properly insulated you might lose a lot of cold air; similar to leaving a window open while the air conditioner is running
Just remember to identify the genuine cause of your home’s heating and cooling concerns, you should always seek out professional guidance from trained heating and cooling experts, like ours at AFM Heating & Cooling.
Solutions
You may have already tried turning your air conditioner up, or even putting a fan upstairs to help circulate the air, only to end up forgetting all about the heat as soon as fall rolls around. To try and actually fix the problem this year so you’re not completely taken for surprise next year, here are some easy at-home solutions you can try.
- Always make sure you’re cleaning and/or changing your filters regularly. Dirty filters will restrict airflow and hinder the efficiency of your systems.
- Make sure cold air has no means of escape by ensuring your home is properly insulated in every part of the house. Windows, doors, basements, and attics are often overlooked, but important nonetheless. Contrarily, making sure you don’t trap hot air inside is equally important. While insulation is essential, proper ventilation is equally vital to sustaining the comfort of a home.
- If you typically leave your thermostat’s fan setting on auto but it’s not beating the heat, try leaving it all the way on and see if that’s able to make enough of a difference.
If these DIY solutions aren’t enough to keep you and your loved ones cool, you should seek out a more permanent solution with help from qualified heating and cooling professionals, like ours at AFM Heating & Cooling. At AFM Heating & Cooling, we’re always here to help you with whatever heating and/or cooling dilemmas you and your family may face! Please reach out to use today, by calling 734.464.6700 for a free consultation, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar.
