To improve your home’s comfort level, it’s important to keep the upstairs cool, which can be difficult especially if you only have one thermostat controlling temperatures throughout the house. Here are 10 simple tips to get you started:

1. Add insulation – Heat can build up in your attic and be conducted downward into the upper floors of your home. If the attic floor is properly insulated, this thermal transfer won’t occur so readily. Air sealing in the attic is also important.
2. Check vents – Another way to lower your attic’s temperature is to make sure the vents aren’t blocked. If they’re fine and it’s still too hot, install ridge or power vents. You can also consider installing an attic fan to replace hot indoor air with fresh outside air.
3. Seal your windows – Air leakage caused by cracks and gaps around your windows and doors will let cold air out and warm air in. A little caulk or weatherstripping will fix this issue.
4. Clean your outdoor unit – If your A/C’s outdoor condensing unit has isn’t getting airflow or the coils are dirty, switch off your A/C and clean the coils and remove debris from around the cabinet.
5. Shut the drapes – Closing your curtains, drapes or blinds will keep sunlight from heating up the upstairs.
6. Replace your air handler filter – If your air filter gets dirty, it will compromise the circulation of cold air. Check the filter monthly and change as needed.
7. Unblock registers – If any of your registers are blocked by furniture, drapes, rugs or anything else, move these objects to improve airflow.
8. Use fans – Floor and ceiling fans won’t cool off a room, but they do a great job at cooling off a person due to the wind-chill effect. It’s an easy way to complement the work of your A/C in the upper floors of your home.
9. Check your registers – To direct cold air upstairs, leave your upper registers open. For the lower registers, close them partially to redirect more air upstairs. Just don’t close them all the way or your A/C’s efficiency will be negatively affected.
10. Seek professional help – A home evaluation by an HVAC technician can help you pinpoint problems and arrange to fix them.

If you need more ways to keep upstairs cool, or have other home comfort questions, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Powers Heating & Air. We’ve been serving the needs of Peachtree City and the surrounding area since 2001.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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