If you live in a two story house, then you’re probably well aware that it’s always a little warmer upstairs than it is when you’re on the first floor of your home. Most two story homes will have bedrooms upstairs, and this doesn’t make for ideal sleeping conditions, when the hot air will always rise to the top of the house, where you’re trying to get comfy a night.
A lot of second story add-ons are built into an attic, or they can be surrounded by the attic, which means the walls surrounding the second floor are going to be hotter; and the average attic temperature in the summertime sits at around 140 degrees, but can reach as high as 150 – 160°. If you don’t have a good working AC system with proper, clean ventilation and up to date insulation, you’re going to feel the heat. Whatever cold air that’s flowing through the duct pipes is moving through considerable warmer conditions and materials, and by the time it gets to the vent and into the space, the temperature of the air blown out is altered.
So we know that physics will always win, and the air will always rise up – you can’t avoid this, but there are reasons why in some cases the temperature difference is quite sizable, and in others barely noticeable, because of proper insulation and ventilation from clean and secure ducting. Luckily there are things you can do to get your second level to a better temperature environment, let’s take a look at these improvements below:
Proper insulation is so important to a home’s atmospheric well-being. It works by keeping the temperature inside the home level and regulated, by protecting the home from extreme outside temperatures getting in, and not letting your perfectly set temperature from getting out. It also acts as a sound barrier for the home, and drowns out loud noises from outside and provides a quiet and comfortable environment. Making sure your attic and upper level are properly insulated will provide a huge improvement in the base temperature that you’ll be working with upstairs.
The next part of the equation are the ducting pipes and duct trunk (large main trunk). This is the vessel for the HVAC system’s end product. If the air being delivered to you is tampered with by any leaks, dirt or debris, or just a system that’s in bad condition, you’re not going to get the full force weight or the right temperature of air you should be getting. Your HVAC system will then work harder to reach the goal temperature your thermostat is set to. So you’re not only getting a weak flow, but putting extra pressure on your system and possibly damaging it.
Other components like attic fans and radiant barriers can greatly reduce the high temperature in the summer and keep your attic properly ventilated, already creating a comfortable and regulated environment so that your HVAC system can work the way it’s supposed to. Not only will this be a physical improvement by making the upstairs just as comfortable as your downstairs level, but also reduces energy consumption and utility costs. If your system doesn’t have to work twice as hard and long to reduce the temperature, then you’re definitely saving money in the long run with already higher summertime electricity bills.
So get up there and see if you might need to have an attic specialist come out and get your attic in tip-top shape with any of the above remedies and improvements. It’s a small investment into an invisible improvement in the home, but trust us, you will feel it!