Air Conditioning: Too cold in bottom floor?
Question:Our full house air conditioner works fine with the exception that the bottom floor is always too cold. We have closed off the vents by taping them over which has improved conditions minimally.
I must mention that there is a big open staircase going from top to bottom floor, which is a problem, but it cannot be closed off.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Answers:
This is the most common complaint regarding heating and airconditioning in 2 story houses. Closing off vents does not work and can cause other problems including burning up blower motors. There are only 2 ways to fix this problem and neither is cheap. The first is to install dampers that are thermostaticly controlled which could mean completely reducting your system. This is not cheap. The second, and more permanent solution that will work best is to have a second system installed for the upsatairs. The answers are easy, what you are going to do and coming up with the money to do it is not. I have seen this problem hundreds of times and most people either do nothing after they discover the expenses involved, or go by window units for the upstairs. Its as simple as that. If you have the money, install a second system. It is really the home builders fault as most of them will cut off their own foot if it will save them $5 on every house they build. The way it works is this: the builder knows that you will love your new house. The builder also knows it may take most people a couple of years to figure out that "things" could have been built better. It is 2 years later, this is not a warranty item and the builder no longer remembers who you are since you don't have a checkbook in your hand with their name on the top check. Thats how it works.
I don't what to do but i can tell you the reason for it..
It's due to convection
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/convection...
Do you know if there are dampers on the duct system that might be closed they are usually a small silver gray handle on the side of the supply duct going upstairs
Also do you have an attic fan this will help remove the heat in the upper part of the house
you might need the the duct system checked by a professional or a second system added to attic to solve problem
My answer has to do with attic space also..do you have attic space.is there a space between your upper floor and roof, even if it isn't an attic.my neighbor has none, via the original owners if you can believe that...(very dumb)....if you have access to it, you may do a couple of things.check to see if there is any insulation between the rafters (wood beams), check to see if you have Vents on both sides of the house for air flow.there is an exhaust fan you can have installed, like a wall mounted fan facing the outdoors to pull the heat out of that space..if you have an attic, check that first, and keep posting here, lots of do it yourselfer's everywhere, you may get even better ideas, lord knows A/C is expensive, saving money and not freezing is a plus! Good luck..
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