Why Does My Upstairs Feel Hotter Than Downstairs?

Many homeowners struggle with warm upstairs areas and cool downstairs rooms. Even worse, when they heat the downstairs to a reasonable temperature, the upstairs areas become sweltering. But why is there such a difference in temperature between the two floors?

Heat naturally rises, making the upstairs rooms warmer than the downstairs. Even when the heating system runs, its heat will rise to the highest space in the home, leaving the downstairs rooms cooler.

Here, F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical explains the causes of hot upstairs areas and discusses ways you can keep rooms on lower levels warmer during winter.

Common Causes of Hot Upstairs Rooms

Rising heat is a serious problem for most homeowners who want a warm and comfortable first floor. Too much rising heat can easily make the upstairs rooms unbearably hot. Understanding what causes so much heat in your home to rise to the upper levels is important.

A few common factors that lead to rising heat include:

• Poor airflow: When you run your heater during winter, you expect it to produce and spread warm air throughout the house. If there are any obstructions in the ducts or vents, or if there aren’t enough vents throughout the home, you could end up with a lot of heat in just a few places.
• Ductwork issues: If your home’s ductwork has problems, it could lead to rising heat. When your air ducts are cracked or broken, they can release warm air into the attic, leaving your lower levels much colder.
• Inadequate insulation: Proper insulation is crucial for keeping your entire home comfortable in any climate. Without proper insulation, you could lose a lot of heat through the walls, attic, and windows.

These are just a few common causes of rising heat and cool temperatures on the first floor. If your upstairs areas are too warm, there are many ways to prevent them from overheating.

Tips for Cooling Down Rooms Upstairs

When you struggle to warm rooms on the first floor, running a heater at a higher temperature can resolve the issue. However, this also causes hot temperatures upstairs. A few ways to keep your upstairs rooms cooler include:

• Installing extra insulation: Additional insulation could keep more heat inside your home and make it easier for your heater to warm the home to an even temperature.
• Scheduling duct sealing services: Turn to our HVAC technicians to perform duct sealing, closing any cracks in your air duct system.
• Installing ductless mini-splits: Adding ductless mini-splits lets you cool your overheated upstairs rooms or warm your downstairs spaces.
• Upgrading to a variable-speed HVAC system: A variable-speed HVAC unit allows you to run the heater at a higher speed downstairs and a lower speed upstairs.

Whatever strategy you choose to keep your whole home comfortable, trust the technicians at F.H. Furr to handle the repairs or installations.

Schedule HVAC Services With F.H. Furr

For decades, the team at F.H. Furr has provided comprehensive heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing services throughout the DC metro area. We treat every home with unwavering respect. You can count on our technicians for superior services at an upfront price. When you choose us for HVAC services, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.

Trust our local experts to take great care of your entire HVAC system. Contact F.H. Furr today to schedule heating or cooling services.