how to cool a two story house with fans

How Do I Keep My Home's Second Floor Cool?

• 1. Install an Attic Fan or Vent. Because hot air rises, it's more challenging to keep the second floor of a home cool than the first floor. Installing ...
• 2. Keep Your Doors Open.
• 3. Keep Blinds and Drapes Closed.
• 4. Partially Close First-Floor Registers.
• 5. Turn the Fan From "Auto" to "On".

Full Answer

How to cool a 2-story house?

A tip for cooling a 2-story house that may be a bit more involved is to ensure that your attic is properly ventilated. Doing so will get rid of unnecessary moisture and heat that may settle up on the second floor.

How to use a fan to cool your home?

The air from the fan also creates a cooling effect on your body. It is best to use the fans in conjunction with your air conditioner. It would help if you run your fans counterclockwise in the summers to push air straight down and create a windchill effect.

Why does the second story of my house have a fan?

Since heat rises, there may be cooler air on the floor of your second story. Using a fan will stir that up and circulate the cooler air through the rooms more evenly. It doesn’t even matter what kind of fan you use in this instance.

How do you cool an upstairs apartment with a fan?

Place another fan facing outwards, near a window on the opposite side, to push hot air out. To make the upstairs cooler, place the outward-facing fans on your second floor, and the inward-facing fans on your first floor. 11.

How do you keep a two story house cool?

How to Keep Upstairs Cool Without AC?Insulate the Attic. ... Ventilate the Attic. ... Consider a White Roof. ... Block the Sun. ... Limit the Use of Appliances That Generate Too Much Heat. ... Replace Incandescent Lights With Compact Fluorescent Lamps. ... Turn on Fans on the Second Floor to Increase Airflow. ... Turn on the Exhaust Fans.More items...•01-Jul-2021

How do you circulate air in a two story house?

An attic fan will also help circulate the air, which in turn decreases the amount of hot air that reaches the second floor. Close some, but not all, supply vents on the first floor for better circulation to the second floor. Also, make sure nothing blocks your vents upstairs, and that your air-return vents are open.

How do you cool a house with a fan?

Fans pushing air out of your house: Then place an equal number of fans on the opposite side of your home facing out of your windows to push the hot air out. "Pushing air out on the south side is ideal," says Kipnis. Keep as many inside doors open as possible. This will help maximize airflow throughout the house.01-Jul-2021

How do you cool a two story house without AC?

Best Ways to Cool a House: DownstairsDraw the Blinds. While natural light is great, too much of it can turn your home into a sauna during the summer months. ... Avoid Using the Stove. ... Unplug Appliances You're Not Using. ... Turn on Bathroom Fans. ... Opt for Breezy Clothing. ... Add Outdoor Shade. ... Switch to No-Heat Lightbulbs.28-Jun-2018

How do you push hot air out of a room?

'First, keep your windows, doors and blinds shut during the day to avoid hot sun beating down into your house. Then, during the evening, open your windows and place one fan facing out of your window, so it pushes the heat out,' they advise. 'Use a second fan, placed inwards, to circulate cool air into the room. '24-Jun-2020

Does putting a wet towel over a fan make it cooler?

Hang a damp towel over an open window (as long as you are getting a breeze) to provide a cooler breeze. This will give a little relief but we have not found it as effective as the frozen washcloth in tip 1. Stick a bowl of ice water in front of your fan to help circulate the cooler air.12-Mar-2019

Can AC and fan be used together?

Answer: You can— and should— run your A/C and ceiling fan together. Doing so can help lower your cooling costs each month, but only if you're using them right.

Why AC and fan should not be used together?

A fan cannot provide the cold air that an air conditioner does. Just like an A/C cannot provide the circulation of a fan. Positioning your fan so that it is near the A/C vent helps distribute cold air faster and more efficiently than the A/C alone could.01-Jun-2021

What is the best air conditioner for a room?

Try a Ventless Air Conditioner. Depending on your needs, a ventless air conditioner (also known as a portable evaporative cooler) might be a good choice for you in comparison to other cooling appliances. These devices are exceptionally good at cooling rooms of all sizes and don’t require a window to operate.

Why do you need an attic vent?

But essentially, an attic vent allows the hot air that rises inside your house to flow outdoors. An attic fan aids in speeding up this process. You can also add a thermostat to attic fans so that they only turn on when your attic reaches a certain temperature.

How to get the most efficiency out of a central air conditioner?

If you’re trying to get the most efficiency out of a central air conditioner: Leave all of the upstairs doors open. This allows cold air to flow more freely throughout the second floor and reduces stress on the unit. If you’re trying to get the most efficiency out of a window or ventless air conditioner:

How long does it take to install a mini split air conditioner?

Wall-mounted air handlers are the easiest to install and can be up in running in about 30 minutes. Ceiling cassettes require you to cut a hole in the ceiling which takes much longer to do.

Can you have a mini split in a 2 story house?

If all else fails, you may want to invest in a mini split air conditioner system. While this is the most expensive option on the list, the advantage here is that you can spot cool any number of rooms in a 2-story house. You can even cool areas that don’t have windows.

Can you control the amount of energy used without touching it?

That way you can control the amount of energy used without having to constantly touch it. Smart thermostats take this control to a whole new level by allowing you to maintain your air conditioning through a smartphone or other mobile device through WiFi. You don’t even have to be inside your house to make adjustments.

Do ceiling fans work as floor fans?

Ceiling fans work in much the same way as a floor fan in the sense that they’ll help to keep the air moving. Thus, acting as a great complementary appliance to your air conditioning unit. Both types of fans are particularly useful on the second floor as they can stop hot air from rising and settling in a room.

How does a multizone HVAC system work?

A multizone HVAC system can help by letting you set a lower temperature upstairs to help it stay cool enough without making lower floors too cold. If your main unit still works well, it might not be properly sized for your home. Adding a second unit for your upstairs can help your entire home stay cool. Advertisement.

What is a damper in HVAC?

Many HVAC systems have dampers, which are platelike structures inside the ductwork, usually close to the furnace. Each branch leads to a different part of the house, carrying the cooled air to your rooms. Adjusting the dampers opens or closes them fully or partially to control the airflow.

How to keep air moving in a room?

Keep Air Moving. Constant airflow helps you feel more comfortable, even if your upper floor has a higher temperature. Instead of using the "auto" setting for your HVAC fan, turn it to "on" so it runs all the time. Running your ceiling fan counterclockwise in the summer helps create a cool breeze in upstairs rooms.

How does insulation help your home?

Proper home insulation helps your entire home feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter by helping to regulate the temperature. You can add blown-in insulation to walls that are already finished. Sealing leaks around windows can also help to better insulate the home and keep it more comfortable.

Why do ceiling fans run counterclockwise?

Running your ceiling fan counterclockwise in the summer helps create a cool breeze in upstairs rooms. Attic fans can help cool the space above your second floor to decrease the temperature indoors.

Can you close dampers to keep upstairs rooms cool?

You can partially close the dampers to areas that stay cold and open them fully to the upstairs rooms that stay hot. This can help balance the airflow and send more cold air upstairs for effective second-story cooling. Advertisement.

Does insulation help cool a second story?

Since the second floor is right below the attic, that heat naturally seeps into those upper spaces. Increasing insulation can help keep your second story cooler. Advertisement.

1. Use the Fans

Sometimes the old ways are best. Since heat rises, there may be cooler air on the floor of your second story. Using a fan will stir that up and circulate the cooler air through the rooms more evenly. It doesn’t even matter what kind of fan you use in this instance.

2. Check Out Your Filters

Air filters reduce allergens and other contaminants in the air you breathe, but those particles can build up on the filter itself or in the ducts. If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, it could be that the cool air isn’t circulating properly because your ducts are blocked.

4. Seal Your Air Ducts

This one requires hiring a professional. We would love to help you. Entek is the leading duct sealing expert, and we can help put some pizzazz back into the efficiency of your ducts. Not only does sealing your ducts help with temperature control (both hot and cold), but it can also help with your air quality.

5. Reduce the Sunlight Coming In

This is most important in the afternoon. Be sure at least by lunchtime that you have closed all the blinds you can to block out sunlight and UV rays on both your first and second floors.

What does "on" mean on thermostat?

Using "on" instead of "auto" on your thermostat will keep air circulating throughout the home via the fan. Using the "on" setting will allow the entire house to stay cooler, whether or not the air conditioner is running.

How much does it cost to install a ceiling fan?

Ceiling fans can be purchased at any home improvement store for as little as $50 but prices can go up to $1,400. Installing a ceiling fan costs around $245 on average.

Why do I need a fan in the attic?

Because hot air rises, it's more challenging to keep the second floor of a home cool than the first floor. Installing a fan or vent in the attic will go a long way towards keeping hot air moving up and out of your home and keep cool air circulating. You can also install a thermostat that will turn on the fan when the attic reaches a set temperature.

What to do if your thermostat is not digital?

If your thermostat is not a digital programmable system, consider installing one to replace an outdated unit. Digital thermostats allow for more detailed scheduling and temperature settings. Digital systems have pre-set capability that will go on and off at chosen times and temperatures.

Why is my AC not cooling?

If your air conditioner is not cooling, it may be due to overgrowth around your condenser. Your air conditioner condenser cannot work at its peak capacity if plants or dirt and weeds restrict its airflow. There should be a clear area of 4 feet around the condenser for maximum output.

How to keep air circulating in house?

By closing the doors to unused rooms, hot air gets trapped and affects the performance of the air conditioner. Leave those doors open to keep air circulating throughout the house. 3. Keep Blinds and Drapes Closed. If your thermostat is on the first floor, it will only react to the temperature on that level.

What time of day should I use my dryer?

Limit your use of these appliances to early morning or evening if possible.

What happens if you have a faulty duct?

If you have faulty ductwork that wasn’t installed properly, or it’s old, deteriorating, and has leaks, it could affect how cool air is distributed throughout the whole house , possibly leaving your top floor unreasonably warmer than the bottom floors.

Why is the second floor of a house hotter than the first floor?

As a matter of physics, hot air rises , which is why homes with second floors are typically warmer than the first floor despite how often you run your air conditioning system. Roofs take the brunt of the sun’s heat, and if your home doesn’t have an attic as a buffer or isn’t well insulated, the top floor of a home naturally feels hotter ...

Why is my second floor not cooling?

The usual culprit is that heat is being trapped on the second floor, and that the second-floor return capacity is insufficient to remove that heat. To handle this problem, there are a few common ways to improve cooling on the second floor of your home, which we’ll discuss in detail below.

When was Mission Mechanical founded?

Founded in 2002 , Mission Mechanical is a locally and family-owned business that takes pride in serving both the residents and business owners of the Indianapolis area. For residential and commercial plumbing, cooling, heating and indoor air quality services, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Do ceiling fans make a room cooler?

Ceiling fans don’t actually make a room cooler, but they can create a cooling effect by displacing the warmer, stagnant air that is in direct contact with our skin. Just remember to turn the ceiling fan off when nobody is in the room to avoid wasting electricity.

Is the first floor of a two story home cool?

When you first step inside your home after a long, hot summer day, you want to be greeted with cool, refreshing air. However, if you own a two-story home with central air – you may have noticed that the first floor is cool, but your second floor can be warm and uncomfortable. This can especially be a problem when family members go to sleep ...

When is the difference in temperature most noticeable?

The difference in temperature is usually most noticeable during the hot summer months, when the weather outside reaches scorching levels . If you are having trouble keeping your upstairs cool, you probably have one centrally located heating and cooling system.

Can I cut drywall to add HVAC to second floor?

Cutting into drywall to redesign duct work is pretty extreme and adding an HVAC to the second floor is expensive. Here are a few quick and easy tips you can try to help keep that second story cool.

Can insulation in attic feel hot?

If you’ve ever been up to your attic on a hot day, you know that space can feel like an oven. Even on the hottest days, the temperature in your attic space will far exceed the outside temperature. That is why your attic insulation has such a profound impact on how hot the top floor of your home becomes.

Can a portable fan be used in an upstairs room?

A portable fan can make a warm upstairs room feel much cooler. Even better, a few ceiling fans will help keep the upstairs air moving and even out second story temperatures. If your home isn’t equipped with ceiling fans, they are fairly affordable and generally easy to install.

Does sunshine affect temperature?

While bright sunshine adds a lot to the atmosphere of a room, it also has a major impact on the temperature. Since most thermostats are located on the bottom floor, the heat coming through upstairs windows can just collect there without triggering your thermostat to turn on the A/C.

Does moving air make a room warmer?

Stagnant air feels much warmer. Sometimes the heat upstairs can be alleviated with some simple air circulation. While warm air rises, and you can’t completely beat physics, moving air will make the space more comfortable. A portable fan can make a warm upstairs room feel much cooler.

What floor is HVAC on?

2. HVAC Unit Is on the First Floor. Air conditioners have to push out hot air as well as introduce cold air to the second floor. Since central HVAC units are placed on the first floor, this requires double effort as cool air may continue to sink back to the first floor.

How to make an upstairs cooler?

To make the upstairs cooler, place the outward-facing fans on your second floor, and the inward-facing fans on your first floor. 11. Heat-Proof Your Bed. If your room is on the second floor and you are having trouble falling asleep due to the heat, an excellent energy-saving tip is to heat-proof your bed.

Why turn on fans on second floor?

Turn on Fans on the Second Floor to Increase Airflow. While fans may not reduce the temperature, they are much more cost-effective than HVAC units and help increase ventilation. The air from the fan also creates a cooling effect on your body. It is best to use the fans in conjunction with your air conditioner.

Can you have multiple thermostats in your home?

With the best thermostat settings, you won’t only be able to cool the upstairs and downstairs effectively but also save energy.

Does an air conditioner upstairs work harder?

This also means that your air conditioner upstairs must work harder to maintain the optimal summer temperature for your home. Your HVAC system would be running all the time to achieve your desired setting. This will significantly increase your air conditioning bills and maintenance costs.

How to make a cross breeze?

Experiment a little with your electric fan placement and try to create a cross breeze. Place one electric fan facing inwards, near a window that gets the most shade, to blow cool air into your house. Place another fan facing outwards, near a window on the opposite side, to push hot air out.

Why is the second floor of my house hot?

Hot Roof. One of the main reasons the second floor gets too hot is an uninsulated roof. Your roof absorbs the sun’s heat, which then travels to the second floor, making it unbearably hot. This hot air can also travel down to the second floor through your attic.

Why blow more cellulose in attic?

It is just as effective (and cheaper) to just blow more cellulose on the attic floor if you are worried about the (slight) performance degradation caused by the lack of a top-side air barrier. So if you are worried, just blow a little more cellulose to make the insulation deeper than the code requires.

Why do you need zoning for a mountain home?

Another application of zoning is to cope with exposure diversity - heavy glazing in one direction, such as in the case of a beach or mountain home with an awesome view, may need zoning to apply extra capacity during just part of the day. Without zoning, such spaces may be overblown during off peak hours.

When was the 2 story house built?

The weather was hot. The two-story house was built in the 1980s; it included a single-zone split-system air conditioner that delivered cool air through ductwork to every room in the house. My hosts complained that the second floor was always hot, even when the air conditioner was running full blast. Curious, I poked around a bit.

Do you need an air barrier in the attic?

One exception is that there is no need for a top-side air barrier for insulation installed on an attic floor. There are two reasons for this exception: 1. It is awkward and expensive to install plastic housewrap on top of insulation installed on the floor of an attic. 2.

Why do we need window fans?

However, when it comes to using window fans, ensure you turn them on when it’s cooler outside than inside your room/home. This usually is necessary for window fans because that’s the only way they can function efficiently and offer you the best results. Therefore, this means it’s best to use window fans early in the morning or at nighttime.

How to reduce humidity in a room?

To reduce humidity, you can use a standalone fan, which will provide you with the flexibility of placing and positioning it wherever you want in your home. This fan’s result is that it will help circulate dry air inside your room and eliminate any moisture in areas like your bathroom. Therefore, this will significantly reduce humidity, keep you cool and offer you a comfortable environment wherever you use it in your home.

How to cool a room with a fan?

It involves freezing a 1iter plastic bottle, place it on a tray, and then cover it with a damp cloth. Position it in front of the fan to allow the breeze to be cooled from the iced bottle. This will significantly benefit your room by having a cooler temperature. The good thing about this method is that it’s easy to do and doesn’t require many complex processes to enjoy the results.

Can a ceiling fan lower the temperature?

However, similar to many products, ceiling fans also come with their drawdown. Ceiling fans cannot lower temperature the way a window fan or air conditioner would. But ceiling fans can cool you down.

Do tower fans work?

Therefore, tower fans are properly designed to fit into the corner of most rooms. The good thing about tower fans is that they create airflow since they oscillate from left to right. Also, tower fans work by creating a wind-chill effect instead of lowering the temperature of your room.