Hot Second Floor? Here's How to Fix It
Wondering why the second floor of your house is so hot? You’re not alone! We hear this complaint from our customers all the time. Homeowners tell us they can’t sleep upstairs, or that their kids refuse to hang out in their bedrooms because of the heat.
If you’re dealing with the same problem, Sustainergy Cooperative can help. In this guide, we explain why your second floor is so hot and how we can solve the problem for good.
What Causes a Hot Second Floor?
There are a few things that can cause a hot upstairs in the summer, but insufficient attic insulation and air sealing are usually the root of the problem. Without proper insulation and air sealing, your attic is susceptible to excessive heat transfer and hot air infiltration.
Heat Transfer
Heat moves in a few ways, including through building materials like your walls and ceilings (this is called conduction). If you don’t have proper attic insulation, heat will conduct into your home through the attic during the summer and then travel down into the cooler rooms below, making your upstairs unbearably hot.
Hot Air Infiltration
Conductive heat movement is only one piece of the puzzle. You also have to contend with hot air infiltration. Most attics are riddled with small cracks and openings, called air leaks, that allow hot air to pour into the rooms below. Air leaks exacerbate the problem of a hot second floor and can also let humidity, outdoor air pollutants, and even pests into your home.
Solutions to Cool Down Your Second Floor
A hot upstairs is a huge comfort problem and you shouldn’t have to suffer through another sleepless night. Sustainergy Cooperative can help you solve the problem for good with our attic insulation, air sealing, and ventilation services. These three systems are intended to work cohesively to create a controlled home environment and if there’s a problem with one of them, you’ll see symptoms throughout your home, like a hot upstairs and cold downstairs.
1. Upgrade Attic Insulation
Insulation acts as a barrier between your home and the outdoor temperatures. Installing more or better attic insulation will stop outside heat from infiltrating your home, making it easier for your air conditioner to maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature throughout your house.
2. Seal Attic Air Leaks
Insulation is most effective when combined with air sealing. Even the best-insulated attic can have efficiency issues if there are significant air leaks. Air sealing involves plugging gaps and cracks in the attic to prevent hot outside air from infiltrating your home and cool, air conditioner air from leaking out.
3. Ventilate Your Attic
While insulation and air sealing control the temperature inside the attic, proper ventilation helps to remove excess heat and moisture from the air. This keeps humidity levels in check and improves the overall effectiveness of the insulation.
Find the Best Solution with a Free Attic Assessment
Most of the time, a hot second floor is caused by poor attic insulation and air sealing. But every house is different. That’s why we start our projects with a free assessment. Instead of prescribing a generic fix, we’ll get up into your attic, evaluate your insulation, and uncover the hidden issues that are causing problems in your home so we can implement the most affordable and effective solution.
Sustainergy Cooperative is a worker-owned insulation company. We are committed to helping our customers make their houses more comfortable while reducing energy costs with low-cost, high-impact improvements. Let us help you upgrade your home and keep your family comfortable!
