2007-09-26 10:35:40 · 8 answers · asked by SUSIE A 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
9/26/07-9/30/07
house is 2 br/ 1 b upstairs/ 1br/ 2 1/2 b
lr/k downstairs
light bill too high
2007-09-26 10:40:06 · update #1
is your condenser big enough for your house, since you have a two story??
2007-09-28 15:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by Cindi H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually RICH gave an excellent answer. Heat rises, so naturally it will be hotter upstairs. That's why a zoned system or dual unit/dual thermostat system works best.
Your thermostat is what controls how much "conditioning" of the ambient air is applied by your HVAC unit based on the temp you set it at. So, wherever the thermostat is located, usually in a common area, is where it will be coolest (or warmest in heating season) . If you have a single un-zoned unit on a multi-level home, most likely the thermostat is downstairs or in a stairwell. Unfortunately, since that hot air rises, the thermostat does not detect the higher temperatures so it goes about it's merry way keeping the areas nearby (downstairs) at your set temperature. With a 2 unit system you would have an HVAC unit and thermostat upstairs and another unit and thermostat downstairs each controlling their own zone.
Sorry no cheap easy fix for this problem other than keeping drapes and blinds closed upstairs to keep outside heat from affecting the inside temperature so much. Also, you might try closing down your vents in the downstairs areas a little to force more cool air upstairs. The downside of this is that your unit will run longer and possibly send your utility bills up, as well.
2007-09-26 11:26:20 · answer #2 · answered by blonosmoke 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hot air rises, cold air drops.... this is particularly noticeable in multi-story buildings.
You might try balancing your vents.... restrict the air entering into the first floor vents, and open up the upstairs vents. This will cause your central air to pump more air upstairs (hopefully - can't say it will work for certain without seeing your ductwork system, rooms and vents.. but it works quite often)
Good Luck
2007-09-26 11:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by thewrangler_sw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is your house?
It could just be when they built your house, the building codes were different then and now.
Try closing the vents downstairs so you get the air upstairs.
2007-09-26 11:22:55 · answer #4 · answered by mstnglover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the system is not designed properly. You should have two systems or a zoned system. For more info check out the hvac duct page at my source.
2007-09-26 10:53:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the air isn't balanced properly, dampers should be installed or a zoned system... also, keep in mind, cold air falls... so the cold air on the 2nd floor flows down to the first...
2007-09-26 11:45:56 · answer #6 · answered by bilko_ca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
simple thermodynamics would cause higher up areas to collect heat and lower areas to remain colder. Maybe you just need a second thermostat upstairs.
2007-09-26 11:17:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
check for a damper that might be closed before you consider rewiring your house like other people are tellin you
2007-09-26 12:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by Daniel S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋