If the downstairs feels comfortable while upstairs bedrooms stay warm, the difference may reflect how your HVAC system controls the home. Grant explains that a two-story house with one system and a main-floor thermostat has limitations when trying to maintain the same temperature on both floors.
The thermostat responds to its location
In the arrangement Grant describes, the thermostat is usually in a main-floor living room, den, or dining area. The system responds to conditions there. It does not independently control the temperature in an upstairs bedroom.
As a result, keeping the downstairs comfortable does not necessarily mean the upstairs will feel equally comfortable, especially during summer.
Reducing the difference may not eliminate it
Grant says adjustments can sometimes bring the floors closer together. He contrasts a smaller difference of two or three degrees with a larger difference of six, seven, or eight degrees. Those figures illustrate his explanation; they are not a promised result for a particular home.
The key point is that some unevenness can come from the limitations of using one system to serve both levels. A colder downstairs thermostat setting does not provide separate upstairs control.
Consider dedicated upstairs heating and cooling
When advising on a new home or a persistent comfort issue, Grant says a second system dedicated to the upper floor is often worth considering. A mini-split may be an option, depending on the size of the space and the number of rooms it needs to serve.
Contact Darnold & Lyons to discuss your layout and the temperature differences you notice. An assessment can help determine whether adjustments or dedicated upstairs equipment are appropriate.
