Often times, people living in Florida have a hard time keeping their two- or even three-story homes comfortable across all levels despite the ductwork being present throughout the home. Heat rises and there isn’t much that can be done about that, but there are some tips and tricks that you can use to ensure that all of the levels of your home stay nice and cool – even when it is 90 degrees outside.
Start in the Attic
The first thing that you will want to do is take a trip up to your attic. Since hot air rises, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve done everything you can to keep the cool air produced by your air conditioner where it should be – inside your home. As such, adding insulation to your attic should be your very first step, and it is recommended that you should use a product with an R-value of at least 30. You’ll also want to install or unblock soffit vents, such as power and ridge vents, to keep your attic as cool as possible without using much energy. A hot attic makes for hot upper floors.
Move On to the Windows
The next thing that you’ll want to do is check all of the windows in your home. A significant amount of your cooled air can escape through the tiniest of gaps, so it may be worth your while to invest in some caulk and seal your windows where the pane meets the casing. Of course, if your windows sit loosely inside of their slides, then you may want to hire someone to tighten up these fittings so that no air can escape. Finally, during the warmest part of the day, make sure that you use heavy drapes or blinds that not only block the sun’s rays, but also reflect them out of your home.
Head to the Registers and the Filters
Third, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve recently changed the filter on your air conditioner. A dirty filter can reduce airflow substantially, and when you’re sending air to two or three stories, it makes a huge difference. Take the time once per month to inspect your filter, and be sure that you replace it with the right size and model for your unit. Then, take a walk around your home and look at your supply registers to ensure that none of them are being blocked by furniture, drapes or other obstacles. You can find hoods that are designed to redirect the air if your vents are located directly under windows, and these usually cost less than $5 each.
Clean Your Compressor Unit
Finally, you will want to take a trip outside every so often and ensure that no debris has built up on your compressor unit which is usually situated on a concrete slab outside your home. If it has, you can use a garden hose to gently blow away any leaves, dirt or other debris. If particles have become stuck in the fins, you can purchase an inexpensive fin comb that is designed to remove it.
Of course, one of the best ways to keep your home cool all summer long is to schedule regular maintenance with a reputable HVAC company. We are always on standby to look over your entire system and fix the small things before they become serious issues.
