It’s common knowledge that hot air rises, which explains why the second story of your home is usually hotter than the ground floor. However, the rise of heat is not the sole culprit of this issue. There are a number of factors that contribute to this problem, including:
Your HVAC System
Your air conditioner will not be able to last forever, and there will eventually come a time when it is necessary to replace it. The average air conditioning unit can last up to twenty years, and towards the end of the lifespan, its efficiency declines. If your air conditioner has been serving you for quite a long time and the second story of your home is getting too hot for you, chances are that your system is over exhausted and unable to cope with the demand anymore. To make sure, you should bring in a licensed HVAC technician in for inspection. Even if the wear and tear is not the source of the problem, the issue could still be related to your HVAC system. Perhaps maintenance is overdue or the size of your air conditioner simply doesn’t fit your home. Whatever the case, a professional will be able to figure it out.
The Network of Ductwork
If your air conditioner is located too far from the second floor, there is more ductwork that cold air needs to pass through in order to cool your upper rooms. Moreover, if there is any leaks or gaps in the network of ducts, a lot of cold air is lost before it even reaches the second floor. To prevent leaks in the first place, the installation process needs to be done correctly. Joints in ductwork should be sealed with mastic to prevent air from seeping out. You can do this by yourself for accessible ducts, but you will need a professional help sealing the inaccessible ducts that run within your walls. An HVAC technician can perform a pressure test on your duct network to assess how bad the leaks are. If the results show that you have substantial leaks, you’ve got the answer to why your second floor is so stuffy. Luckily for you, an HVAC technician can employ modern techniques to fix the leaky ducts without having to tear into the walls.
Shade Protection From Your Trees
If your home is surrounded by several young trees, then it could be that these trees provide shade protection for your ground floor windows while leaving your upper floors exposed directly to the sunlight. You can wait for the trees to grow, but that could take years. The faster solution is to upgrade your window treatments for your upstairs windows and remember to keep them closed as much as you can. Blackout curtains, reflective shades, and thick drapes can help a lot in blocking out excessive heat during the day.
In Conclusion
It is not easy trying to get to the bottom of what is causing the heat on your second floor – at least not on your own. Fortunately, you can always enlist the help of an HVAC technician to help you identify the source of your problem as well as fix it.
Are you looking for an HVAC maintenance & repairs specialist in Fort Mill, NC? Get in touch with Penguin Cool today to see how we can help!
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