Options for Cooling Off an Upstairs Bedroom That's Always Too Hot
If your bedroom is on the second level of your home, and it's often hot and uncomfortable to the point that you can't sleep well at night, it's time to find a solution. If you're getting a new air conditioner soon, an HVAC dealer can help you set up the best system for a multi-level home so you're more comfortable. Whether you're getting a new AC or you have to make do with what you have for a few more years, these tips may help your upper level cool off better.
Make Sure Your AC System Is Optimal
Ensure nothing is wrong with your system that causes it to function below par. Have an air conditioning technician check your equipment, service it, and clean it. Be sure to have this done at least once a year. Keep your AC and the registers clean and unobstructed so air flows freely. Also, check the ducts to see if they're leaking or if they need to have insulation added.
The upper level of a home is more challenging to keep cool because heat rises. Heat wafts to the top of your home so the second level is typically warmer than the first. Add to that the heat in the attic from solar warming, and it's easy to see why an upper level gets so hot. You may need to add more insulation to your attic to protect your upstairs rooms from heat, or you might need to improve attic ventilation.
Install a Zoned System if Possible
If you're having a new AC installed, talk to the contractor about a zoned system that allows you to control the temperature upstairs. It might even be possible to convert your current system if you have the right ducts and HVAC setup.
To install zoned cooling, the contractor will need to install an additional thermostat and dampers in the ducts so you can cool the upstairs independently from the downstairs.
Add a Ductless AC
A ductless air conditioning system is another good option when you need to control the temperature in different parts of your house independently. You can put the ductless system in your upstairs only or switch to a ductless system when you get a new air conditioner.
You'll have blowers upstairs and downstairs that are controlled with their own thermostats so you can keep your bedroom as cool as you like. Since these air conditioning systems don't have ducts, you won't lose any cool air to your attic, and the system will operate more efficiently.
For more information about air conditioning and cooling your home, contact a local HVAC service.
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