Upper stories are warmer than lower ones, so you want to adjust the temperature depending on the season to properly set up upstairs and downstairs thermostats. ... During winter, set the downstairs temperature to the ideal level, and upstairs two degrees colder.

Should upstairs thermostat be set higher than downstairs?

The general rule of thumb for a two-story home is that you should set each thermostat two degrees Fahrenheit apart from the other. ... Then set the upstairs thermostat to a two-degree cooler setting. The extra heat downstairs will combat the cold that settles on the lower levels.

Why is the upstairs cooler than the downstairs?

Blame physics: hot air rises while cold air sinks. That means your upstairs typically gets hotter than your lower levels, even if your air conditioner's working in overdrive. Your roof's hot, too: Unless you have shady tree cover, your roof absorbs a ton of heat from the sun.

Which is cooler upstairs or downstairs?

Typically, rooms upstairs are warmer than rooms downstairs, and, oppositely, basement rooms tend to stay much cooler due to the fact they are underground; also, rooms that are on the side of your home that receives more sunlight than others will tend to be warmer and need more energy to keep cool.

How do you balance the temperature on a two story house?

The temperature can be balanced between the stories of your home by upgrading your furnace, installing a zoned system and keeping the air circulating throughout the house. Address existing problems first by checking your attic insulation and how well your ducts are sealed.

What to Do if Your Upstairs is Warmer Than Your Downstairs

36 related questions found

Why is my room colder than the rest of the house?

If there is a cold room in your house, the problem has likely been caused by dirty vents, cracked ductwork, worn insulation or faint drafts.

How do you cool a two story house?

These tips will help keep your second floor and entire home cool during the hot summer months

1. Install an Attic Fan or Vent. ...
2. Keep Your Doors Open. ...
3. Keep Blinds and Drapes Closed. ...
4. Partially Close First-Floor Registers. ...
5. Turn the Fan From "Auto" to "On" ...
6. Install Ceiling Fans. ...
7. Service Your Air Conditioner Before Summer Starts.

Why is the second floor of my house so hot?

Another reason why your second floor is too hot in the summer could be because of your roof. ... This heat travels through the attic and into the second floor making it harder for the system to cool. Ductwork, Insulation and Seals. Ducts are responsible for taking cool air from your system throughout the home.

Why is my basement so much colder than upstairs?

Basements tend to be damper than other places in your house. This is often caused by water seeping through the concrete foundation, rising from a dirt floor or simply because of poor ventilation. This higher level of moisture in the air will end up making you feel much colder than the ambient air temperature.

Why is it so much hotter upstairs?

Cooler air settles into the lower areas of the house (usually where the thermostat is located); while heat from the outside begins to warm things up again. Because heat rises, the temperature on the second floor rises first, causing the second floor to feel warmer than the first floor.

Why is the second floor so cold?

If the second floor of your home stays cold in the winter even when the first floor is toasty, it may indicate that your home is improperly insulated or ventilated. To fix the problem properly may take an outlay of cash and a professional.

How can I keep my roof cool in the summer?

How to Beat the Summer Heat by Keeping the Roof Cool

1. Grow a roof garden. One of the best ways to keep the roof cool is by growing your own rooftop garden with green grass and potted plants. ...
2. Paint the terrace white. ...
3. Add shade. ...
4. Go for heat-resistant flooring. ...
5. Install solar panels.

Is it better to heat a basement or not?

In short, you should indeed heat your basement in cool and cold climate areas. Whether or not you use your basement isn't the question. ... When this cold air rises, it is drawn across the floor of the main level, causing cold feet and other comfort problems.

How do I balance upstairs and downstairs thermostat?

Here's what you do: set your upstairs thermostat to your desired temperature goals, and then set your downstairs unit to be two degrees warmer. For most homes, this naturally encourages a temperature balance that's comfortable and right at your desired temperature goals.

What temperature should I keep my upstairs and downstairs thermostat?

The thermostats should work together to create a balanced, uniform temperature in your home. If your preferred temperature in the summer is 72 degrees, then set the downstairs thermostat to 70 and the upstairs to 74.

Does a 2 story house need 2 AC units?

In a two-story home, the upstairs area is often warmer, as warm air rises. Having two AC units in your home can help balance out the temperature. ... This allows you the freedom to keep the downstairs at a more comfortable temperature for the areas you use, without using the energy to cool the entire home.

Is basement cooler in summer?

In the summer, the basement is often cooler than the outside air. In the winter, the basement is often warmer than the outside air. The theory holds that unheated, uncooled basements generally follow the area's annual temperature. Your level of comfort is a different matter, though.

How can I make my basement less cold in summer?

Here is a list of quick fixes and some tips on keeping your basement warm in the summers:

1. Lower the basement humidity levels by reducing unwanted moisture.
2. Seal your windows and doors.
3. Insulate the walls and the floors. ...
4. Install radiant heat floors.
5. Make changes in the HVAC ductwork system.
6. Seal your doors and windows.

How do you warm up a downstairs?

If the first floor of your home is colder in the winter months, keep the dampers on the first-floor vents fully open and only partially open the vents on the second floor to force more of the warm air to enter the first-floor areas.

How can I make my upstairs cooler in the summer?

Simple Fixes to Help Cool Your Upstairs

1. Properly open vents, don't block return air supply. Let the air flow! ...
2. Install lightly colored curtains or drapes. ...
3. Keep heat-generating appliances off. ...
4. Run a fan (when you're in the room) ...
5. Keep your HVAC fan set to 'on' ...
6. Inspect your ductwork. ...
7. Check your insulation.

Should you close vents in unused rooms?

Closing the vents doesn't do it any favors. In fact, instead of helping the air conditioner cool less, closed registers force the same amount of air through other ducts. This builds pressure in the system and makes your HVAC system work harder to distribute the air where you need it.

Does closing air vents help cool other rooms?

Closing air vents in one area of the home does not help other rooms receive better airflow. Instead, conditioned air is lost through duct leaks and the other areas of your home do not receive additional heating or cooling. Cold rooms in a warm house act like a heat sink.

Is it harder to cool a two story house?

Two story homes with open, high ceiling floor plans will exaggerate temperature transfer making it harder to cool the top and heat the bottom floors. Sun exposure as the result of trees, bushes, architecture, the number of windows and orientation all significantly contribute to climate control.

Is a 2 story house more expensive to heat and cool?

Increased Cost of Heating and Cooling

A second story is sure to increase the costs associated with heating your home in the winter and cooling it in the summer. In fact, it's not uncommon for a single-story home with the same square footage of a two-story home to cost considerably less to heat and cool.

What's the cheapest way to heat a house?

The 7 Cheapest Ways To Heat A Home

• Buy an energy-efficient space heater.
• Buy a smart thermostat.
• Use credit cards to pay your utility bills.
• Sign up for budget billing.
• Insulate your attic.
• Invest in warm clothing.
• Consider installing solar panels.
• Summary.