Looking forward to the summer weather and spending time on the beach or outside with friends and family? Us too, but when we’re inside our Long Island homes, we want to be comfortable, no matter how hot it gets outside.
One of the most common complaints we get from homeowners in the summertime is about issues with their second floors getting too hot, particularly on afternoons in July and August when the sun’s beating down on their homes. Here are some tips for keeping your upstairs cool.
1. Close Your Blinds and Shades
Closing the blinds or shades in your Suffolk or Nassau County home will help keep direct sunlight out, and provide (some) additional insulating protection against outside heat.
2. Keep Lights and Appliances Off When Possible
If you have any older incandescent light bulbs in your house, you should definitely consider keeping them off on a hot day—90% of the energy they give off is in the form of heat. Newer light bulbs are more efficient and you don’t have to worry much about additional heat. And a summer afternoon isn’t the best time to be running your clothes dryer; it’s a good idea to limit home appliance use during the hottest times of day.
3. Change Your HVAC System’s Air Filters
Your HVAC system’s air filters help trap pollutants and particulate matter to prevent it from circulating in your home. But it’s important to change your air filters regularly. As they collect more particles, they can get clogged and slow air movement through your ductwork. This can put added stress on your AC in the summer and prevent it from keeping you cool.
4. Adjust the Fan Setting on Your Thermostat
When your thermostat is in “Auto” mode, your HVAC system’s blower fan will only run when the AC unit itself is on. But by changing it to “On” you can circulate the air in your home even when your cooling system isn’t running. This will increase airflow to your second floor, which can help even out temperature differences between the top and bottom floors.
5. Use Fans to Keep Cool
Fans don’t lower the temperature in your home, but having a fan blowing on you will help make you more comfortable. This is because your skin gives off heat, and the fan helps move that warmer air and evaporated sweat away from your body.
6. Upgrade Your Home’s Insulation
The previous five tips are all quick and inexpensive ways to cool your upstairs, but they aren’t likely to make an enormous difference in your indoor comfort. But there are upgrades you can make for long-lasting results.
The first is upgrading the insulation in your Long Island home. Your second floor is likely hotter than the bottom floor because of low insulation levels and air leaks in your home. Hot air in your home will rise to the second floor, at the same time that your home’s roof is getting blasted by the summer sun. Proper insulation upgrades and air sealing can help to keep your home comfortable year-round.
Home Efficiency Experts offers a variety of insulation options, including spray foam insulation and cellulose blown in insulation for your Long Island home.
7. Install a Mini-Split Heat Pump
Sometimes a home’s HVAC system simply can’t keep every single room in your house at the same temperature. That’s where ductless mini splits can help! Because they don’t require ductwork, mini-splits can be installed directly in the rooms or areas of your home where you need relief, like a second floor, and they’re often used to supplement existing heating and cooling systems.
Mini-split installation in your Long Island home is a viable way to avoid more expensive, drastic changes to your HVAC system, and will help keep the air upstairs cool during summer heat waves. We can even help you qualify for PSEG rebates to lower your upfront costs.
Improve Your Home Comfort This Summer With Long Island’s Home Experts
Looking for more solutions to a hot second floor? Reach out to Long Island’s home experts. We’re your one-stop shop when it comes to addressing comfort and energy efficiency issues in your home. From the benefits of cellulose insulation to cutting-edge heat pump installation that will save you money for years to come, our team can help you solve the unique issues your home (and the people living inside it) are suffering from.
