The Second Floor Sauna Problem

If your second floor feels like a sauna every July, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common complaints we get from homeowners this time of year.

“Bob, the thermostat says 72 degrees, but when I walk upstairs it feels like I’m in a sauna. Is something wrong with my air conditioner?”

Maybe but more than likely, your air conditioner isn’t the problem. It’s how your home is handling the summer weather. We all know heat rises, which is why the second floor is usually hotter than the ground level. As the sun beats down on your roof all day, your attic can easily reach temperatures of 130 to 150 degrees. That heat doesn’t just stay up there. It radiates through your ceiling, while warm air from the first floor naturally rises, too.

Your air conditioner is working hard, but it’s trying to cool the part of the house that’s getting hit with the most heat.

Why do Cape Cod homes seem to have it the worst?

If you own a Cape, you’ve probably been nodding your head the whole time. Cape Cod homes are charming, but they weren’t exactly designed with central air conditioning in mind.

Many of the upstairs bedrooms are built right under the roof, with those beautiful sloped ceilings everyone loves. The downside is that there’s often very little attic space separating your bedroom from a roof that’s been baking in the Connecticut sun all afternoon.

That means less room for insulation, less room for ventilation, and a lot more heat making its way inside.

So…does this mean I need a new air conditioner?

Not so fast. Sometimes an older AC system is part of the problem. But we’ve also seen plenty of homeowners replace their air conditioner only to find the upstairs is still uncomfortable.

Think about trying to keep a cooler full of ice cold while someone leaves the lid open all day. Eventually, even the best cooler is going to struggle.

Your house works the same way. If heat is constantly pouring into your home through the roof, attic, windows, or poorly insulated spaces, your cooling system is always trying to catch up.

What should I check first?

I’d start with the attic.

How’s the ventilation? If hot air can’t escape, your attic becomes a giant oven sitting right above your bedrooms.

How’s the insulation? Insulation isn’t just for winter. During the summer, it’s what helps keep all that attic heat from working its way into your living space.

Are there air leaks? Small openings around attic hatches, recessed lights, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring might not seem like much, but together they can let a surprising amount of hot attic air seep into the house.

Can my windows make that much of a difference?

Absolutely. If your upstairs bedrooms face west, they spend the hottest part of the day soaking up direct afternoon sun. Closing blinds or shades before the afternoon heat arrives can help. So can energy-efficient windows if yours are older and due for replacement.

Sometimes it’s not one big problem, it’s several little ones adding up.

What about the roof itself?

The roof plays a bigger role than many people realize. An aging roof, poor ventilation, or roofing materials that absorb a lot of heat can all contribute to a hotter attic. If you’re already planning a roof replacement, it’s worth talking with your contractor about ventilation and roofing products that reflect more of the sun’s heat.

Anything else I should know?

Here’s the good news: if your upstairs is warmer than the first floor, that doesn’t automatically mean something is broken. To some degree, it’s just the nature of a two-story home. But if there’s a huge difference between floors or if certain rooms are almost impossible to keep comfortable, it’s usually worth taking a closer look.

A combination of better attic ventilation, proper insulation, sealing air leaks, making sure your ductwork is in good shape, and having a healthy roof can make a much bigger difference than many homeowners expect.

You may never get your upstairs to feel exactly like the first floor on a 95-degree day, but you can absolutely make it more comfortable and maybe even stop arguing over who gets the downstairs bedroom every summer.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Got a home issue you’d like Bob to tackle? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.