How to Cool the Upstairs

How to Cool the Upstairs

With the spring season beginning in Pittsburgh, the hot days of summer are not far behind. The hot, humid summers in the area can make the upstairs of your home uncomfortably hot, and even with your air conditioning, you may have noticed the upstairs is much warmer than the first floor of the house.

What Causes the Upstairs to Stay Hot?

At Restano Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing, we can provide you with a professional opinion about what is causing the issue. Some of the most common reasons for the second floor remaining hot include:

Your roof is hot.

If your roof does not deflect the sun or is not protected from the sun, it will absorb the sun’s heat. This causes the heat to travel through the attic and into the home, making it difficult for your HVAC system to cool the upstairs.

You have faulty ductwork, insulations, and seals.

Your home is fitted with ductwork that is responsible for taking the cool air from the unit and distributing it throughout the home. Whether your insulation was installed improperly, or you have old or leaking ducts, your AC will be forced to work harder to cool the upstairs. Your home may also lack the ductwork needed to provide sufficient cool air to the upstairs of the home.

Rising hot air is overworking your system.

As you may already know, heat rises. If your HVAC unit is located on the first floor, it has to work considerably harder to provide cold air to the upstairs. How hard your AC has to work depends on the number of rooms in your home, the age of the unit and whether the unit is well equipped for cooling or not. With our AC repair services, we can evaluate your unit and determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.

How Can I Fix This Issue?

The main things you want to focus on when trying to improve the temperature of your home’s second floor include:

• Airflow. If you have a basement, close the HVAC system dampers to the first-floor hallway down or more. If you can’t find the dampers or don’t have a basement, close the first-floor register vents down some. This will help distribute more cool air upstairs.
• Blower Speed. Adjusting the speed of the blower is also beneficial. By running the fan at a higher speed, you can allow the air to cool down faster and also reduce the air conditioner's ability to dehumidify. Our expert technicians can make recommendations and adjustments for your blower speed for optimal performance.
• Insulation. Be sure that all gaps, cracks, and holes are sealed around all windows. You should also consider insulating the attic and make sure it is ventilated to keep out as much heat as possible.
• Filters. Be sure to change or clean your filters regularly. A dirty filter can cause restriction to the airflow in your home, causing a hotter second floor.

Restano Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing is proud to serve the Pittsburgh area and beyond as the number one provider of air condition services and products. To learn more about how we can help you cool down your second floor this summer, call Restano today!

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