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If you have a second floor that’s always roasting, you might think there’s not much you can do about it. If you’ve tried using a ceiling fan and closing every last blind, but you still can’t get the temperature down to a bearable level, there might be some simple things you can still try to cool it down. Here are a few simple tricks to cool down your upstairs if it’s always too hot.
Give your AC a check-up
While a hot upstairs can be as simple as the physics of warmer air rising while cooler air sinks, there’s a possibility that your AC unit isn’t working to its fullest capacity. If that happens, you might not notice it on the first floor as much as you would upstairs, which is farther from the unit. Begin by making sure your AC is clear of brush and anything else for at least three feet all the way around. Anything that obstructs airflow around your unit can cause it to function less efficiently, not only making your upstairs hotter but stressing your fan as well. It’s also a good idea to have an HVAC professional take a look at your system to make sure everything is working as it should be.
Seal up your windows
While it’s common for people to check for drafts in winter when they’re saving money on heating costs, it might not occur to us to check out windows for drafts in the summer. However, cool air escaping through unsealed windows can reduce the efficiency of your AC and make your upstairs hotter. If window repair or replacement isn’t immediately in the budget, you can try a DIY weather stripping replacement kit or you can use a window shrink wrap kit as a temporary solution.
Ventilate your attic
Installing an attic fan can help release trapped hot air from inside your second floor. A wired attic fan with a thermostat costs around $175, or you can opt for a solar fan for between $350 and $450 if you plan to do your own installation. However, having a professional do it for you is a good idea if you’re not an experienced DIYer, as this project involves climbing up on your roof and cutting a hole in it to do the installation. It costs around $650 on average to have an attic fan put in, but it could be well worth it to cool down your upper floor in the sweltering summer heat.
Lower the load on your AC
If you still have incandescent bulbs in your light fixtures, swapping them out for LEDs can help cool down a hot room by reducing the amount of heat being released by the lights. You can also make sure that heat-generating electronics and appliances are turned off to keep things cool. Not only will this help to keep the room cooler, but it will reduce the strain on your HVAC system overall.
Allow air to circulate
Although it might seem counterintuitive, keeping doors open can help cooler air circulate and prevent microclimates from forming inside your house. If you don’t have a zoned HVAC system, allowing air to flow as freely as possible inside can help to cool down upper rooms. If you have drapes or other obstructions to airflow that might be impeding cool air from spreading from vents, you should move those as well to allow the cool air to spread out as freely as possible.
