One of the most common complaints we hear from homeowners is that their second story is hotter than the ground floor. There are a number of reasons why this may be the case, but the most common cause is poor insulation in the attic. If your home has insufficient attic insulation, heat from the lower levels will rise and become trapped in the attic, causing the second story to be warmer than the first. Other possible causes of a hot second story include leaky ductwork or windows.
HVAC Issues Could Be to Blame
In some cases, the reason your second story is hotter than the first has more to do with your HVAC system than anything else. If the upper level of your home is not receiving enough cool air from the ductwork, it will naturally be warmer than the lower levels. This could be due to a number of factors, including:
-
Ductwork that is too small in diameter
-
Leaky ducts
-
Undersized HVAC unit
If you suspect that your HVAC system is not providing enough cooling to the second story of your home, the best course of action is to contact a professional HVAC contractor. They will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action.
Improving Energy Efficiency
If you find that your home’s attic is not well insulated, there are a number of ways to improve its energy efficiency. The first step is to add more insulation to the attic floor. This will help keep heat from rising and becoming trapped in the attic. You may also want to consider adding insulation to the attic walls and ceiling if they are not already insulated.
Another way to improve the energy efficiency of your home is to make sure that all of your windows are properly sealed and insulated. Drafty windows can let in a lot of heat, which will make it harder to keep your second story cool. If you’re not sure how to properly seal and insulate your windows, contact a professional contractor.
There are a number of reasons why your second story might be hotter than the ground floor, but the most common cause is poor insulation in the attic. If you suspect that your HVAC system is not providing enough cooling to the second story of your home, the best course of action is to contact a professional HVAC contractor. You can also improve the energy efficiency of your home by adding more insulation to the attic and making sure that all of your windows are properly sealed and insulated.
If you’re interested in having your HVAC system inspected for efficiency and effectiveness, contact the Tulsa HVAC professionals of Torch Services.