Hot upstairs

[Ryan Taylor]

I realize that heat rises. But I'm wondering is there something I can do to make it cooler in upstairs home? 

[Sean Ridlon]

What sort of roof system, age of home, and cooling system are already in place?

[Mike Hanneman]

Yep we are going to need more info.

[Account Closed]

I've heard that whole house fans have amazing results and are pretty cheap to run, if that's an option for you.  There are also utility company rebates available sometimes.

http://energy.gov/energysaver/cooling-whole-house-...

One simple solution I've found, if you can't do something like that, is to get a big floor fan that you can tilt toward the ceiling.  It brings the cool air from the floor, and circulates it through the room.  

http://www.pattonproducts.com/fans/patton-18-inch-...

I have that Patton fan and use it that way in my apartment.  It really helps cut down the a/c bill, too, when you live somewhere hot.

[Account Closed]

If the system is a central ducted one, then check to see if the branch lines have dampers.  They can usually be found near the equipment and are controlled by small "arms" on the exterior of the branch line and held in place with a wing nut.  Adjust accordingly to control the air flow.

Alternately and/or additionally, simply close the registers in/on various rooms/floors to force the air elsewhere.

This is a common problem in poorly designed/installed systems, particularly common among production housing over the last 30 years or so.  I just adjusted the dampers at my girlfriend's house and it made a HUGE difference!

Good luck!

[Jonathan Young]

I suggest that you add blow-in insulation to the attic space to bring the R-Value up to modern building code standards.  Before you do that, install some passive roof vents or an attic exhaust fan on a thermostat switch with a passive intake on the other side of the attic.  Also, make sure that your attic access hatch is sealed to make it airtight and use a thick piece of batt insulation on top of the hatch panel.  Hope this helps you out. 

[Kevin Finken]

Completely agree with what @Account Closed said.  Most newer homes have dampers and they usually have to be adjusted from season to season.  

[Nicole A.]

And if no dampers, try closing some vents in the downstairs and opening all the vents upstairs. Ceiling fans are also great and easy to install if you already have a light fixture wired into the ceiling.

[Tamara Elliott-Deering]

In a great and perfect world your A/C would be zoned so you can set the temperatures for each floor, the norm however is that the thermostat is downstairs so the A/C turns off before it cools the upstairs. Some people I know use portable A/C's to help cool the rooms that are too hot.

[Ryan Taylor]

So my house is like 8 yrs old.. I just closed two ofof the vents and it seemed to have worked 

[Ryan Taylor]

I have two ac units one for down and one for up. Once vents closed and fans on feels a lot better. Thanks for the help 

[Scott Weaner]

I have used a register booster, which can help.