10 Ways to Cool Down Your Stuffy Second Floor, According to Pros

While the summer is a great time to enjoy warmer weather, it can make your home’s temperature harder to regulate. Even with the AC pumping, one common problem is a comfortable ground floor and a sweltering second floor.

Maybe you’ve resigned yourself to this discomfort, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s plenty you can do to cool down your second floor—and we tapped experts to help.

Get an HVAC Tune-Up

Before doing anything drastic (like replacing an entire system), co-founder of Angi Angie Hicks says you should call out a tech to give your system a quick tune-up.

This will involve assessing your system’s indoor and outdoor components, including ducts and dirty filters—which, Hicks notes, should be replaced every one to three months.

“You’ll want to make sure that the area around your HVAC system is clear,” she says. “Your air conditioner condenser cannot work at its peak capacity if plants or dirt and weeds restrict its airflow.”

For maximum output, Hicks says to clear an area of four feet around the condenser. 

Assess Your Home’s Ductwork

While some low-effort quick fixes can help, Anthony Smith, the director at Midland Air Conditioning, thinks troublesome airflow might come from your home’s ductwork.

“There could be design issues or leaks causing uneven cooling, especially in older homes with HVAC systems that haven’t been maintained in a while,” Smith says.

As a result, cool air can struggle to reach the upstairs, because it’s either getting lost due to leaks or warming as it travels. In this case, Smith says your ductwork needs to be updated or replaced. 

Add Ceiling Fans

Replacing your entire HVAC system might not be an option, but according to David Lewis of Mission AC, adding ceiling fans could do the trick. 

“For a quick fix, ceiling fans can boost air circulation and make a noticeable difference,” says Lewis. 

Brad Roberson, president of Aire Serv, agrees and suggests turning any upstairs ceiling fans counterclockwise.

“Ceiling fans in upstairs rooms can make a significant difference in temperature in the summer,” he says. “The air from the fan creates a cooling effect and can help give your A/C a boost.”

Strategically Place Portable Fans

Ceiling fans are great, but portable fans can be effective, too. According to Smith, it’s all about how you use them—ideally, facing out.

“This will help push the hot air out and bring cooler air from downstairs up, making the upstairs space cooler,” he says.

Keep Your Interior Doors Open

While it might sound counterintuitive, Hicks says to keep the doors inside your home open. When you close the doors, hot air gets trapped and impacts the performance of your entire HVAC system, she says.

Close Your Blinds

Smith also suggests installing heavy drapes on your upstairs windows, and—this is the key part—keeping them closed during the day.

“These drapes act as shields against the sun’s heat, helping keep your upstairs less humid and stuffy,” Smith says.

Lewis agrees and even suggests installing reflective window film as an additional precaution. 

Turn Off Your Lights

While your electricity might not seem like it would generate that much heat, Robertson says turning off the lights really can help. Since light bulbs let off heat, turning off lights when not in use helps keep temperatures down and the home cooler.

Consider a Window or Portable AC Unit

If you’re craving cool air, Robertson suggests investing in a separate AC unit for your second floor—one that’s either portable or can be installed in the window.

Check Your Attic

It’s a well-known fact that hot air rises, so it’s no surprise that Lewis suggests assessing your attic for solutions. Installing an attic fan can help vent out trapped hot air, he says.

On the other hand, adding insulation to the floor might be another option—this can prevent any over-spill of trapped heat from radiating into the level below. 

Consider a Zoned HVAC System

If the issues come down to your existing cooling system and a replacement is in order, Lewis suggests looking at a zoned system.

These offer better temperature control across floors, and installing a new system will allow you to assess the correct size for your home. 

Robertson agrees, noting that well-running HVAC systems rarely incorporate one system to heat and cool multiple floors. Each floor should have separate systems that are properly designed, sized, and installed.