by Cooper Climate Control
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When you go upstairs in the summer, is it easily 10 degrees hotter than the downstairs?
You try turning your thermostat down, but now your downstairs starts to freeze! If you have family living on both levels of your home, now you’ve got a battle over the thermostat, and nobody is happy.
So how do you settle this frozen downstairs or scorching hot upstairs conundrum?
Solution 1: Use a zoned system
Most contractors would suggest getting a zoned heating/cooling system.
While our article on zoned systems describes them in more detail, we’ll give you a summary here.
A “zoned system” divides your home into at least two heating/cooling zones, the upstairs and downstairs (if you have a two-story home) so that you can cool and heat them at different temperatures.
There’s two parts to how this system works:
- Electronically controlled dampers in your ductwork – These dampers are like valves that open and close to control the flow of your heated and cooled air throughout your home.
- Multiple thermostats – There’s a thermostat for each zone so you can control the electronic dampers in your air ducts. So now there’s no more fighting over the thermostat setting!
Solution 2: Identify underlying problems
While zoned systems are effective, there may be other reasons your upstairs isn’t cooling correctly.
You should address these underlying problems first before considering a zoned system.
- Blocked soffit vents – Soffit vents allow outside air to enter your attic at the lowest point of the roof—and they can get blocked by your attic insulation.
- Leaking air ducts – If the ducts connected to your second floor are leaking cold air, then of course your upstairs not be cold. Get them sealed by a professional if that’s the case..
- Not enough attic insulation – Can you see you’re attic’s floor joists? You don’t have enough insulation in your attic! Call a professional to get more.
Whether you need more insulation, your ducts sealed, a zoned system or just want some advice, contact us online for help!