You love your multi-story home… but when it comes to making its upper and lower floors cool and comfortable, you probably face some challenges. Typically, in a house with two or more stories, the upper floors are significantly warmer than the ground and basement levels.
So how do you overcome these temperature differences without racking up an astronomical energy bill? Our home cooling experts explain the most effective solutions to this dilemma below.
HOW TO EVENLY COOL A MULTI-STORY HOME
1. Install energy-efficient window treatments upstairs.
Blocking solar heat gain is the name of the game here. If your home has standard, double-pane windows, about 76% of the sunlight that falls on your windows will become heat inside your home during a cooling season. Rather than installing new windows, which can get pricey, equip your windows with heat-blocking attachments like thermal curtains, Roman shades, or insulated cellular shades. These specific window treatments will also help your home retain heat during winter, reducing your heating costs!
2. Get your sun-facing windows tinted.
If you want to enjoy the beautiful view outside your home, consider a window film to reduce solar heat gain and UV exposure. You’ll be amazed at the temperature difference this upgrade creates. Keep in mind that you’re less likely to get bubbly or peeling film with a high-quality product and professional installation, so you may want to get quotes from a few different contractors before going to the DIY route.
3. Utilize a zone control system.
This system upgrade allows you to achieve improved comfort, and it also helps you reduce your energy bill year-round. Once a technician installs a zone control system in your HVAC system, you can direct air to your house’s areas that need it most. Why spend money cooling your home’s downstairs when your second story (or maybe just a couple of bedrooms) are where you’re about to spend the next several hours?
4. Install a ductless mini-split in hard-to-cool areas.
If an entire area of your home has no preexisting ductwork, installing new air ducts can be expensive and complicated–but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo heating and air conditioning in that space. As their name implies, ductless mini-split systems require zero ductwork and can be installed in home additions, attics, basements, guest houses, and anywhere else that you need to supply with heating and cooling. Ductless mini-splits can also provide zoned heating and cooling to an entire multi-story home through multiple wall-mounted indoor units placed in various locations on both floors.
5. Opt for a variable speed air conditioner.
When it finally comes time to replace your existing air conditioning system, you’ll most likely benefit from installing an AC with a variable speed compressor. This type of system cools homes more evenly and efficiently than single-speed varieties because it can run at a wide range of operating speeds, reducing temperature fluctuations.
At Premier Indoor Comfort Systems, LLC, we offer free estimates for all new air conditioning equipment, and we can schedule same-day appointments in the Greater Atlanta Area & Western North Carolina. Contact us today online or by phone at (770) 268-2422.