How to Keep Your Second Floor Cool this Summer
Summer is in full swing here in Tallahassee. Is the second floor of your home feeling the heat? Because heat rises, the cool air from your HVAC unit will naturally settle downstairs. This can lead to uneven cooling throughout different rooms (and floors) in your home. You finally get it nice and cool upstairs, but then it feels like the North Pole downstairs. This can be a big issue for two-story homeowners, especially there is a thermostat on only one floor. Here are a few simple tips for using your HVAC system effectively and keeping the second floor cool this summer, even in the Florida heat.
Close the blinds.
Closing the upstairs blinds during certain times of day can have a huge impact on the overall temperature in your home. In the summer, the sun’s rays are typically strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try closing (or partially closing) the blinds during these hours and see if you can feel a difference in how cool the second floor feels.
Use air vents strategically.
First, make sure your air vents are being regularly cleaned and inspected. Visible dust can keep them from cooling your home properly, so they need to be cleaned often. After you’ve done this, consider closing certain vents to redirect the air flow in your home. Closing the downstairs vents can help the HVAC system push more cool air upstairs where it’s needed most.
Cool off with ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans can’t actually change the temperature in a given room, but they can make you feel cooler. Make sure they’re set to spin counterclockwise in the warm summer months to make the air in the room feel as cold as possible.
Check your attic.
The insulation in your attic is one of the main factors that keep the outside heat outside. Without good insulation, the summer heat can seep through the walls and ceiling and quickly warm the second floor of your home. If you’re unsure whether your attic is properly insulated, have it inspected by a professional and make any necessary adjustments.
Open the doors.
If cool air can flow freely through the upstairs rooms, your HVAC unit doesn’t need to work nearly as hard to keep that area cool. Prop open to the doors to your upstairs rooms as much as possible to allow air to flow throughout the day.
Upgrade your thermostat.
If you’re still using a manual thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable one. Not only can a newer thermostat save money on your electric bill, it allows you to have more control over the temperature in your home and keep the second floor cool. You can set it to automatically cool your home more aggressively during the warmest parts of the day.
Check your ductwork.
When it comes to distributing cool air throughout your home, ductwork is the MVP. Making sure the ductwork is functioning properly is an important step to keeping your second floor cool. If you’re noticing that your home is being cooled unevenly, duct work is one of the first things you should check. Call in a professional to check for leaking, malfunctioning or outdated ducts.
If you follow all of these tips and still feel like the second floor of your home is way too warm, it might be time to call in the professionals for a full HVAC inspection. The expert team at Barineau Heating & Air Conditioning can help you get to the root of the problem so you can enjoy an easy, breezy summer – both upstairs and downstairs. Call 850.580.4029 or click here to schedule an appointment today.
