Keeping your second floor cool during Yucaipa’s intense summer heat can be challenging. Warm air naturally rises, making upstairs rooms hotter than the rest of your home. Without the right strategies, your air conditioner will struggle to keep your home comfortable, leading to higher energy bills and a less comfortable home. Here are some effective ways to beat the heat.
Improving Airflow to Cool Your Second Floor
One of the most effective ways to keep your second floor cool is by improving airflow throughout your home. Hot air rises, so upstairs rooms are usually warmer than the rest of the house. Proper ventilation helps push that hot air out and brings cool air in, preventing your second floor from turning into a sauna. Implementing these strategies will bring relief, knowing that your home will be a comfortable retreat from the heat.
Start by making sure all your vents are clear and unobstructed. Check for furniture, rugs, or curtains blocking airflow from the vents, and move them if needed. Also, ensure that all your vents are open, especially the ones upstairs. Air needs a clear path to circulate, so even small obstacles can make a difference.
One smart trick to improve airflow is to use fans with your air conditioner. Ceiling fans help circulate cool air, creating a breeze that makes the room feel cooler. In rooms without ceiling fans, try using portable fans to improve airflow and keep things comfortable. By using fans to complement your AC system, you can enjoy more comfort without putting too much strain on the air conditioner.
Install a Ductless Mini-Split
If you find that your second floor gets too hot during the day when you’d like it to stay icy cold, consider installing a ductless mini-split in select rooms upstairs. Ductless mini-splits can make a big difference in your home’s overall comfort. For instance, if you’d like your bedrooms to be cooler than the rest of the house, you should consider installing individual air handlers in each room. These can be controlled individually via remote control so everyone in the house can customize the temperature of their room to their liking.
Of Course! Heating and Cooling technicians can provide you with an easy, fast mini-split installation for your home in Yucaipa. They’ll mount each indoor air handler (either to the wall, ceiling, or wherever you choose) and connect them to the outdoor condenser, via a small hole in the wall. Depending on how many indoor air handlers you want, you can typically connect eight to one outdoor condenser. Ask our technicians how you can get started with this cooling upgrade.
Upgrading Your Insulation
Another way to beat the heat on the second floor is by upgrading your insulation. Insulation works as a barrier to help keep the hot air outside and the cool air inside. Poor insulation allows heat to leak into your home, making your AC work harder and causing the upstairs rooms to heat up quickly. With improved insulation, your home will stay cool for a longer period, and your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Check the insulation in your attic, as it plays a big role in keeping your second floor cool. If the insulation is old or thin, it might not be doing its job efficiently. Replacing or adding insulation in the attic helps stop heat from seeping into the living areas below. Spray foam insulation is a popular choice because it creates a tight seal, keeping hot air out and cool air in. By ensuring your insulation is efficient, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your home is well-prepared to handle the heat.
You should also check the insulation around windows and doors. If you can feel heat coming through a window or around the edges of a door, it’s a sign that the insulation there is lacking. Adding weather stripping around doors or installing window film that reflects sunlight can go a long way toward reaching a comfortable indoor temperature.
Provide Shade
The sun is a major heat source, and large windows allow it to pour into your rooms, warming them up fast. By using shade and window treatments, you can block much of that heat before it even reaches your AC system.
Start by closing curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day. Light-colored or reflective blinds can help bounce sunlight away, keeping your rooms cooler. You can also add heavy curtains or blackout shades to prevent heat from getting through. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient solution, install window tinting or reflective window film.
For rooms that get the most sun exposure, such as west-facing rooms that heat up in the afternoon, add external shades or awnings. These can block direct sunlight from hitting your windows, reducing the amount of heat entering your home. You can also plant trees or shrubs near windows to provide natural shade and cool your home.
Stay Cool With Strong Airflow and Great Insulation
We help residents of Yucaipa, Beaumont, and Banning, CA with all their HVAC and indoor air quality needs. If you’re interested in an HVAC upgrade like a ductless mini-split or AC maintenance, call Of Course! Heating and Cooling to make sure your AC is up to the task of cooling you down all summer.
Today!
