Hot upstairs cool downstairs

[batman]

My upstairs is really hot during the summer and my downstairs stays
cool. My dad told me to start adding more insulation to the upstairs
attic. I am doing this but will that help the upstairs to cool down?
Half of my upstairs is finished and there is 1 vent in each bedroom
(total of 2) I do not see anyreturn duct work. If I install that will
that help?

 

[hallerb]

Not uncommon.


It will almost surely cause the hot attic not to heat the upstairs so
much.

If you stand on a chair, is the ceiling hot now? (I've never actually
checked my ceiling, but I wish I had before I put in the roof fan.)

Unless you have loads of insulation there now, more insulation should
help. I forget the recommendation but for fiberglass, the pink stuff
or the other color, I think it is something like 6 or 8 inches, as
amazing at that seems. Depending on where you live, etc. Don't rely
on me to remmeber a number.


The warm air may go down the stairs and enter the furnace/AC through
the stairwell. Find the intake to the AC and that will help make
things clear (It's on the ohter side of the AC from the output. )


I think so. WEar a dust mask to not inhale the insulation. If it's
not enough, come back here and talk about cooling the attic with a
roof fan or additional passive venting.

Make sure the upstairs vents are actually open. How mnay vents
downstairs? Maybe close one of them.

obstruct downstairs vents, this will force mre cold air upstairs and
it will flow back down the steps.

have you checked the filter? a dirty clogged filter can cause this

 

[Jeff Wisnia]

My upstairs is really hot during the summer and my downstairs stays
cool. My dad told me to start adding more insulation to the upstairs
attic. I am doing this but will that help the upstairs to cool down?
Half of my upstairs is finished and there is 1 vent in each bedroom
(total of 2) I do not see anyreturn duct work. If I install that will
that help?

You didn't say if your home uses just a single AC system and one
thermostat. Our house has two separate systems and two thermostats, one
on the main floor and one on the second floor, making it easier to cllo
just the floor(s) we're on at the time.

If it's a single system, follow the others' advice, close off some
outlets on the main floor and see if more cool air comes out on the
second floor.

Also, what's the venting like in your attic? A ridge vent and air inlets
under the eaves helps a lot towards keeping the attic cool, as will a
thermostatically controlled attic exhaust fan.

Jeff

 

[barry]

My upstairs is really hot during the summer and my downstairs stays
cool. My dad told me to start adding more insulation to the upstairs
attic. I am doing this but will that help the upstairs to cool down?
Half of my upstairs is finished and there is 1 vent in each bedroom
(total of 2) I do not see anyreturn duct work. If I install that will
that help?

Your dad's part right.

Can't have too much attic insulation, but you also need to block
airflow from inside the shell into the attic or elsewhere.

Meaning: the insulation can't have any gaps, or it's relatively
useless. By this, I mean air-passage.

Also: walls should be insulated as possible with no gaps- some
builders have probs with insulation where walls meet ceiling.

Then- windows should be low-e and seal well. Doors too.

You now have a chance to keep it cool without lots of
coal burnt at your friendly local power station.

(You could sleep downstairs for Jul/Aug., or use window-
rattler to cool one room up there. FWIW.)

HTH,
J

 

[Oren]

My upstairs is really hot during the summer and my downstairs stays
cool. My dad told me to start adding more insulation to the upstairs
attic. I am doing this but will that help the upstairs to cool down?
Half of my upstairs is finished and there is 1 vent in each bedroom
(total of 2) I do not see anyreturn duct work. If I install that will
that help?

One house I had the attic access panel on the second floor was in the
hall. Not far from the thermostat. Just 5/8 sheetrock panel that was
caulked around the edges/trim . When the attic unit needed service the
first time and the caulk "seal" was broken we could just feel the heat
entering in the house. I can only imagine the energy loss through the
space. Seal them up tight.

The house across the street was one bed room smaller than my house.
His tstat was on the first floor and mine was on the second. I never
understood that.

Check for leaking windows upstairs.