How Can An HVAC Tech Help Your Upstairs Cool Down Better?
Does the upstairs of your home stay overly warm and uncomfortable in the summer? You have central air conditioning, but it really does not feel like it upstairs! This is not an uncommon problem, and luckily, it is not something you have to just go on living with. Here are some of the things an HVAC contractor can do to help your upstairs cool off more effectively.
Add More Vents
Your HVAC contractor will often start by looking over your upstairs and counting how many vents you have. Some older homes were simply not designed with enough vents to bring ample cold air into the upstairs. If this is the case in your home, then your HVAC contractor can make some changes to the ducts to accommodate additional vents in some of the rooms. This will bring more cool air upstairs, helping to cool the space more completely.
Re-Route Your Ducts
You may have enough vents upstairs, but because of the way your duct system is designed, all of the cold air might be exiting through the downstairs vents before it has a chance to make its way upstairs. If your HVAC contractor feels this is the problem in your home, they may replace some of your duct branches with narrower ducts. This change can cause more cooled air to be retained in the system until it reaches the upstairs vents.
Turn Up Your Fan Speed
Most modern air conditioner fans are adjustable and can run at different speeds. If your fan is set to run too slowly, it may not be pushing air through the ducts with enough force for it to reach the upstairs vents. Turning up the fan speed can change everything, directing more of the air upstairs.
Replace Your Fan
If your fan cannot be adjusted and the airflow through the upstairs vents is weak, your HVAC contractor might recommend replacing the fan with a more powerful one. This is a less intensive project than replacing the whole air conditioner. The change will also prove handy during the heating season since most furnaces use the same fan as the associated air conditioner.
If the upstairs of your home does not cool well, you don't have to go on living in a sweaty environment. Talk to your HVAC contractor about the problem. Chances are, they will recommend one or more of the changes above, which will transform your upstairs experience.
Reach out to an HVAC technician to learn more about HVAC maintenance and repairs.