Title sums it up, my central air is cooling the second floor of my house more then my first floor. The thermostat for the air is on the second floor, so it is shutting off at 74 degrees while my downstairs is still around 80 degrees. This problem is confusing knowing that hot air rises, yet my first floor is always hotter then my second floor. I thought it may be due to their being more vents for the air upstairs (7) then downstairs (4). I don't know if it matters but the unit was installed a few years ago, and the house didn't originally have central air. I don't want to close any ducts upstairs as they are all bedrooms.
Please help!
2006-08-29 07:26:33 · 10 answers · asked by nickels 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You need to have an HVAC company come out and balance your air. They can fix it to where the air should be pretty even all over your house.
Do not shut your air vents. It is bad for your system.
2006-08-29 07:31:29 · answer #1 · answered by geskuh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lots of 2 story houses use separate a/c units because the load can be so different. Sounds like you have a single unit for both floors. With this system, the balance of the system is critical for you to get even cooling. I'd say right now, your getting too much of the a/c to the second level, and not enough down to the first. You don't have to shut off the upstairs registers completely, but I would close them down so that more of the air is directed to the downstairs vents. You might start by closing the upstairs vents by 50% and seeing what effect that has, then keep tweeking until you find the correct balance.
2006-08-29 15:40:33 · answer #2 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u've already answered ur own question....there should be equal or greater vents on the main floor when one unit is servicing a two story house.....plus, u have to equal out the amount of air returns on the floors..i'm guessing that u have more returns upstairs than down? .sounds as if this unit was not installed to the needs of the house....if u will email me with the size of the unit, the sq ft of ur house, up and downstairs, i can tell u what the problem is and how to get it corrected.......
it really seems that the installer didnt install this duct work correctly...and ur unit might be undersized, duct might be undersized, and returns undersized.....did he get a permit and was this inspected?
lic. gen. contractor
2006-08-29 15:14:55 · answer #3 · answered by bigg_dogg44 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have air leaks in the bottom floor allowing the cool air to escape. Check all doors and windows for sealing. Cold air can escape under a door and warm air come in above the door. Also check for heat transfer from the sunny side of the house. If you feel heat near a window, install heavy drapes or window film over the window surface.
2006-08-29 14:33:08 · answer #4 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Block off the cool air returns(vents that dont blow out air when unit is on) in the upstairs rooms. It will cause less air to blow in them. They sell , or make matts that cover them and are easily removed.
2006-08-29 14:33:33 · answer #5 · answered by Migity696 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look in the basement . see if there are any dampers you can open or close to make this problem go away. often the duct work will have dampers to adjust any major air flow issues
2006-08-29 21:07:41 · answer #6 · answered by specal k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check your downstairs vent to make sure they are open, if they are, close the second floor vents a little. also check to see if the return vents are open.
2006-08-29 14:31:50 · answer #7 · answered by mr handy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you do not have to close your upstairs vents.... just cut them back a little ( partially closed). A little experimenting should solve your problem.
2006-08-29 14:35:06 · answer #8 · answered by rr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave the bedroom doors open and it should fix it.
2006-08-29 15:22:05 · answer #9 · answered by zocko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HEAT RISES DUH!
2006-08-29 14:32:09 · answer #10 · answered by czubl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋