Perhaps you needed a bigger home because your family is growing, or maybe you fell in love with that multi-story home. But then summer hit along with summer temperatures, and you quickly discovered that you just couldn’t cool the second floor.
Heat rises, making your second floor tricky to keep cool. Furthermore, many HVAC systems do not have ductwork that reaches the second floor. As a result, the bedrooms with a great view also have oppressive heat that makes sleeping in the summer nearly impossible. Do you need a new AC unit or just an AC repair?
Continue reading this article to learn everything you need to know about cooling your Denver home, both the first and second floors.
- Why You Can’t Cool the Second Floor
- Old Ways to Cool the Second Floor
- New Ways to Cool the Second Floor
- How a Ductless Mini Split Works
- Save Money, Go Ductless
Why You Can’t Cool the Second Floor
Heat naturally rises. The second floor will feel hotter because it is hotter. The combination of heat rising to the second floor, getting trapped by the ceiling, and heat radiating from the sun beaming down on the roof makes the second floor noticeably warmer and more difficult to cool.
Even though you have air conditioning on the second floor, the rooms will be a few degrees warmer because of these factors. Thermal energy continues to move around even if you put a box fan upstairs.
Thermostat Location
Your thermostat location also plays a critical role in cooling your second floor. If your thermostat is on the first floor, it measures the temperature on that floor. Once the first floor reaches the ideal temperature, the AC flips off, and your second floor stays warm.
Essentially, the air conditioner does not stay on long enough to treat the warmest parts of your home.
Old Ways to Cool the Second Floor
If you have an air conditioner, you have a couple of options to keep your second floor cool. You can have ductwork installed to extend up to the second floor. This way, your central air will pump cool air to the second floor.
You can also have a window air conditioner installed or bring in a portable air conditioner.
Both of these solutions have problems. Here’s why.
Free Download: Air Conditioner Maintenance Guide Denver 2021
Central Air On the Second Floor
Adding ductwork to your home in Denver, CO. can cost a lot. Contractors will charge over $1,000 to design, build, and install the necessary ductwork for an additional floor. Even then, you have no guarantee that your current system has the necessary power to pump enough air up through your new ductwork.
There’s a real chance that you will spend thousands of dollars and still have the same problem.
So, the airflow up there is weak. On the other hand, you can turn up the AC unit to get it cool up there. But, then, you may run the risk of freezing out the floors below it by adding too much power.
Room and Window Air Conditioners
Window units have long solved the problem of warm rooms and also have been used to cool garages. Portable or room air conditioners are a newer but effective solution as well.
On the upside, these air conditioners cool the rooms they’re in quite well. You do not have to depend on a single system to cool your entire home.
On the downside, you have to install the window and room units every summer. Then, as fall starts to chill the air, you have to remove the window and air units. They cannot stay installed throughout the winter.
Furthermore, each of these types of units amps up your electric bill. You will see a significant increase in your power bill as you see your temperatures go down.
New Ways to Cool the Second Floor
A ductless mini-split air conditioner gives you the ability to control the climate of zones in your home. It will cool your second floor without affecting the temperature of your first flow. Here are a few perks of the ductless mini-split:
- Energy efficient
- Dehumidifies the air while cooling it
- Efficient transfer process
- Simple installation
- The permanent solution instead of the seasonal solution
The ductless mini-split looks small but has a mighty impact on the zones where you install them. They can cool your entire second floor if you place them purposefully.
How a Ductless Mini Split Works
Ductless mini-split systems consist of two parts, the outdoor compressor, and the indoor unit. Your air conditioner installation tech will have to drill a small hole to connect the two units. Otherwise, the installation is simple and fast.
Your technician will install the indoor units on a room-by-room basis. Some outdoor units can power up to five indoor units. The small holes technicians drill are usually no more than three inches in diameter and do not impact the structure of your building.
Ultimately, ductless systems control and improve your air quality. Ducted systems have problems with outdoor pollution coming into the home. Pollen, allergens, and bacteria can come into your home through the traditional HVAC system.
Ductless mini-split units have cartridges that you can replace or wash. These systems require less maintenance and also produce cleaner air, keeping you healthy from airborne allergens.
Cleaner air will ultimately keep you and your family healthier. Studies have shown that allergens negatively impact immune systems, making you more susceptible to basic illnesses.
You May Be Interested In: Indoor Air Quality Checklist for Denver
Free Download: Definitive Guide to Buying an Air Conditioner in 2021
Save Money, Go Ductless
Do not worry about how to cool the second floor of your home. As you can see, you have a few different options. You can opt for the traditional window air conditioner or portable window air conditioner.
But doing so means that you need to set aside time and energy for installation and take down every year.
Or, you can opt for a whole new AC system with ducts that go upstairs. Perhaps a more powerful air conditioner will pump the air you need up through new ductwork to your second floor.
Finally, you can go ductless. You can opt for the mini-split ductless air conditioner. It will adequately cool the zones you need to be cooled in your home.
Do you need to have your air conditioner serviced, or do you need an entirely new system? Contact us for all of your cooling solutions in the greater Denver area. We’d love to help.
