How do you circulate air in a two story house?

You can increase airflow to the second floor by adjusting the HVAC dampers. During summer, partially or fully close the dampers for the first-floor vents to force more air to the second-floor vents. If you cannot locate the dampers or your HVAC unit does not have them, you can close the registers on the first floor.

How do I redirect AC airflow?





Using a vent deflector is also helpful, since it can redirect vents more accurately. If there’s a room or part of a room in your home where you don’t want airflow, you can close that vent entirely by placing an adjustable vent deflector over it to limit or block the air. This redirects airflow to other rooms.

How do I raise my AC to my second floor?

How to Increase Airflow to Second Floor?

  1. Keep Air Conditioner Running in Fan Mode. …
  2. Install a Ceiling Fan. …
  3. Increase the Size of Return Vents. …
  4. Increase Number of Vents. …
  5. Clear the Vents. …
  6. Close Vents on Lower Floors. …
  7. Go for Ductless Air Conditioning. …
  8. Get a Zoned HVAC System.

Why is my AC working downstairs and not upstairs?

Check for blocked or dirty registers. If they’re blocked by furniture or have dust and debris in them, it can affect air flow. You can vacuum them with an attachment loosen and remove dirt. Closing some vents on the first floor can help you redirect air for better circulation on the second (and beyond) floor.

How do you transfer cold air from downstairs to upstairs?





10 Ways to Cool Down Your Second Floor

  1. Block the sun. …
  2. Insulate and ventilate. …
  3. Repair your ductwork. …
  4. Reduce your use of lights and appliances. …
  5. Change air filters. …
  6. Adjust the fan setting on your thermostat. …
  7. Create climate zones. …
  8. Fire up the (ceiling and floor) fans.

Can air conditioning cool a two story house?

Having one AC unit for two story home can be done. You will need a dual zone AC with one unit that powers both air conditioners. Having two AC units in your home (upstairs and downstairs) can help balance out the temperature. The best option here is a mini split air conditioner.

How do you circulate air between floors?

If you have an open 2 story staircase between the floors, install a ceiling fan on the top floor ceiling / above the stairs, and run in clockwise (summer and winter in this case) on a low or medium speed. This will help to circulate / push the air down to the first floor return(s).

Why won’t my AC cool my upstairs?

Rising Heat



We all know that heat rises. If your AC unit is located on the ground floor, the system pushes out hot air as cooler air enters the room, meaning your system has to work harder to cool your second story.

Why is my upstairs so hot even with AC?

One of the biggest reasons the upstairs gets so hot is that the current sealing, insulation, and ventilation systems are not working correctly. On the sealing side of things, gaps in the home’s structure can go unnoticed and quickly add up, causing air conditioning to be wasted.

How do you balance upstairs and downstairs temperature?

Keep the air moving by turning on the fan setting of your home’s thermostat. Turn the fan from “auto” to “on”. The fan will circulate the air continually throughout the home and can help even out temperatures between floors.

Does a 2 story house need 2 AC units?



Two units allow for an easier time balancing the desired temperature in your home. Generally, one area of your home will be warmer or more difficult to cool than another. In a two-story home, the upstairs area is often warmer, as warm air rises. Having two AC units in your home can help balance out the temperature.

How do you fix a cold downstairs hot upstairs?

If you are unable to maintain an even temperature in your house, consider the following interventions:

  1. Change Your Air Filter. …
  2. Repair and Insulate Your Ductwork. …
  3. Shell Out for a New Air Conditioner or Furnace. …
  4. Look Into Zone Control HVAC. …
  5. Investigate Your Attic’s Thermal Integrity. …
  6. Reduce Sources of Heat Upstairs. …
  7. Use Fans.

How do you circulate a cool basement air upstairs?

How to Use Cool Basement Air to Cool the Upstairs

  1. Shut all of your home’s windows and doors to the outside except for one window on your home’s top floor. …
  2. Position a box fan in the opened window. …
  3. Open a basement window in the farthest opposite, or north, corner of your home to cool the entire house.

Why is it so hot upstairs but cold downstairs?



Cold air is denser than warm air so it stays on the bottom while warm air rises. That’s why the downstairs can feel so chilly while the upstairs is toasty in the winter.

How do you keep a two story house cool?

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

  1. Install an Attic Fan or Vent. …
  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” …
  6. Install Ceiling Fans. …
  7. Service Your Air Conditioner Before Summer Starts. …
  8. Check Your Filters Regularly.

Why is my 2nd floor so hot?

Another reason why your second floor is too hot in the summer could be because of your roof. Unless your roof is somehow protected from the sun or deflects it, it will absorb the sun’s heat. This heat travels through the attic and into the second floor making it harder for the system to cool.

Should upstairs AC be set higher than downstairs?

Upper stories are warmer than lower ones, so you want to adjust the temperature depending on the season to properly set up upstairs and downstairs thermostats. During the summer, set your upstairs thermostat to your desired temperature, and the downstairs unit two degrees warmer.