A common summer home issue is an upstairs that gets significantly hotter than the downstairs, particularly in the afternoon. Many Maryland residents have been dealing with this problem for years, not knowing exactly what is causing their indoor comfort. If you’re one of them, you’ll be happy to know that there are inexpensive ways to cool the upstairs!
There are a few common issues that can lead to differences in temperatures between the floors in your home, particularly during Maryland’s hot summer months.
Have you heard of the saying “heat rises”? Warmer air will always rise to the top levels of your house. This helps explain the temperature changes on the upper floors of your home.
Another reason for the bedrooms on your home’s top floor being so warm is simple: the sun! Your home’s roof gets the most sun exposure, and that heat is moving into your home by air leaks or poor attic insulation.
Luckily, there are a few different ways to fight back against summertime heat:
The less warm air and heat that enters your home from the outside, the more comfortable your house will be, and the cooler your upstairs. Proper insulation and air sealing is the key to protecting your home from unwanted outdoor temperatures.
Many homeowners think of insulation as a winter benefit, like a heavy coat that helps you warm. But insulation also keeps heat out when the outside weather is hot. Proper insulation and air sealing make it hard for summer weather to enter your home, keep temperatures cool, and take the pressure off your air conditioner to keep you comfortable. are plenty of YouTube videos and blogs to guide you through tasks like cleaning furnace burners or checking blower belts. But for the average household, these tasks are complicated, and you risk causing more damage.
The other solution to a hot second floor in the summer is more obvious: your cooling system! Older AC units, even if they seem to be working, can still struggle to provide enough cool air to keep your entire home comfortable. When that happens, warm air will rise, and you’ll feel the difference between your upstairs and downstairs.
Whether it’s a new central AC unit or simply repairing your existing unit to run more efficiently, a properly operating cooling system, combined with the right amount of insulation and air sealing, will be able to keep your home cool throughout Maryland’s hottest months.
Did you know that CAC provides homeowners and renters across the state of Maryland with no cost weatherization assistance? Weatherization improves the energy efficiency of your home, which helps make your house more comfortable and also lowers monthly energy costs year-round.
Our weatherization program services include:
Applying for no cost weatherization from CAC is easy. First, make sure you are income eligible. Then, fill out our simple intake form. If necessary, we’ll then send you a full application, or move right to scheduling an energy assessment to kick off the upgrade process!
