How to cool a two level house?
Question:We have a 2 level house. The second level is very hot in the afternoon. What is the best way to cool the second level? We do not want to turn up the AC, which makes the first level very cold.
Answers:
Cold air is heavier than warm air. That's why warm air rises. To cool the upper level of your house, close all the A/C vents on the first floor (or at least most of them). That will force the cold air upstairs and because it's heavier than warm air, it will flow to the downstairs thereby cooling your whole house. Also, make sure to keep your shades or blinds drawn upstairs in the afternoon.
close off vents downstairs which will force more air upstairs. that will help. but of course when its 90+ degrees its gonna be hot no doubt about it. run fans and ceilling fans downstairs. the only other option would be to have 2 units 1 for each floor. but then your elec. bill is sky high!
We have the same problem... we invested in some good ceiling fans, which I have noticed a big difference from not having them at all. We got the fans because we also did n ot want to turn up the AC.
now a very simple solution-- paint the roof of ur house with silver plastic paint or even white will do. this reflects the sunlight and lowers the temp. by 5 degrees or so. if u have a cemented roof paint it too!!!
Yes...I have the same problem...I have three levels...four if you include the loft I made into an office.
I bought a $40 gable fan from Home Depot, and this helps out a lot. I lowered the temperature setting on it so it runs a bit longer in the night.
I also closed up the vents somewhat on the lower levels and opened them more on the uppers. I'm just resigned that I have to end up running the air in the summertime. The house will just not cool off when the night time temps are in the mid 70's.
As for the loft...ugh...I have a evaporative cooler and large fan there. I can keep it near 82. Someday I would love to afford a portable AC for there.
You should go with a swamp cooler, You can place it in the middle of your home and a tip is when you start it up go downstairs and open a window about 3 inches and that will create even A/C around the house, you can buy swamp coolers in Lowe's, Walmart, and home depot, Good luck!!
Unless you have the money to shell out for an independent heating and cooling unit for the upstairs, you could try various things but it's not going to make much of a difference. tint the windows that are in the most direct light, a couple of oscillating fans or buy a small window unit air conditioner. just a few suggestions
In addition to the above comments for closing off the downstairs grilles to direct more air upstairs and using ceiling fans, try keeping the door closed between the upper and lower floors (if you have one) or putting up a curtain. You want to trap the cool air upstairs instead of it just trickling down the stairway to the lower level.
More Related Questions & Answers...