Why Is Every Level Of My Home Different Temperatures?

There’s a simple reason why your basement is a different temperature than your main living space, and why the first level of your home is different temperatures from the second story. Cold air is heavier than warm air. That means warm air rises up into your attic and out through the roof, while cold air settles into your basement.

Of course, there are ways to compensate for that action. That’s the job of your HVAC system. If your home is built correctly, and your HVAC is working as it should, it’s a constant push/pull to ensure every part of your home is conditioned the way it should.

But things can go wrong. When you start to notice temperature fluctuations throughout your home, it may be time to make some changes.

Many homes across the Front Range have three levels: a basement, a main living area, and bedrooms on the second floor. Cold air works its way down, while warm air rises upward. That often causes three levels of comfort – cold, hot, and just right. Your main living space is often the most comfortable place in your home because of it.

The key to making every level feel that same comfort level is possible in several ways.

Leave your furnace fan in “on” mode. Furnace fans are often left in automatic mode, turning on when the furnace is running. But you can turn it on, so it’s blowing continuously, always circulating the air. This will create a movement that will force warm air down and cold air up, using the return ducts effectively to get the air supply circulating throughout your home.

Use a ceiling fan. Today’s ceiling fans are a powerful way to make your home a more comfortable place to live. In the winter months, switch the ceiling fan into reverse, so it recirculates the warm air that hovers near the ceiling. This will force warm air to go down and have the cold air move up.

Check your vents. With different people in your household wanting different temperatures throughout the day, we often find vents that are adjusted, even closed off from allowing air to flow naturally. Providing your ductwork was installed correctly, your supply vents are important to keep your HVAC system working the way it should. If any are blocked off from operation, it can stop the flow and leave warm or cold spots throughout your home.

Check the size of your furnace and air conditioner. Your HVAC system isn’t a “one size fits all.” in fact, designing the perfect heating and cooling system for a home takes time and experience to ensure it’s done the right way. Size matters. If you get a system too small, it may always run, trying to “catch up” and provide enough conditioned air for your home. If you get a system too large, it may cycle quickly, never providing an ample amount of conditioned air that your home needs. Either way, your HVAC system isn’t working the way it should, which means your home won’t be properly conditioned throughout the year.

Do you see your home in any of these? If you’re ready to ensure your home is properly conditioned, meaning there are no more temperature differences between floors, give us a call today.