Tips that Work
If you have an uncomfortable differential between the temperature of your upstairs vs. downstairs, these tips have worked for many in our sub-division. Follow all these tips, and you should achieve about a 10 degree temperature differential year round.
The list below is arranged somewhat in order of importance.
- Have an energy audit, which can reveal hot spots. One highly recommended company is Air Flow Diagnostic Institute, a sister company to Albemarle Heating and Air Conditioning. An audit can pay for itself in a short time through energy savings and increased comfort.
- Ensure adequate attic insulation.
- Install an automatic thermostatically controlled attic fan. This is one of the most important thing you can do! It will make the most significant difference. This helps remove the hot blanket of air that seeps into your upstairs.
- Keep direct sunlight out of rooms. Cover skylights during the summer with either a blind, shade, thick curtain, or glass screening obtained from a glass company.
- Put a “tower” oscillating fan at the top of your stairs. A tower fan is one that is about 4 feet high and less than l foot in diameter—thin and vertical. Operate whenever temperature is above 80 degrees and arrange so oscillation moves air in most rooms. This makes a huge difference also! They are inexpensive and found at any store that sells small appliances.
- Keep your heat pump fan operating continuously—not on the automatic setting. You need to keep air moving around as much as possible.
- If you have doors upstairs in bedrooms that lead to storage or a closet in the eaves, use rope caulking around cracks and thoroughly seal. Before doing this, on extremely hot days, place your hand around the small cracks and you will be amazed at the heat being released into your room.
- If your budget allows, place ceiling fans in all upstairs rooms and in the ceiling at the top of the stairs, if possible. Operate as needed.
- Place an insulated cover on your attic entrance/door (hatch). Albemarle Heating and Air has them in several sizes. Or, you can make your own.
- Ensure that all doors and windows in the entire house have adequate insulation.
- If you have your roofing replaced, have ridge vents installed.