Hot upstairs, cold downstairs

[joeturbo]

Hi all,

We have just purchased a 1987 3 bed two story house.

We have noticed that there is a large temperature difference between downstairs and upstairs (t-shirt upstairs and jumper downstairs ).

We have all new windows fitted, there is a vast amount of insulation in the loft. None of the radiators are on.

Any ideas? I considered insulating between floors?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Jumpers in the summer?

 

[Mottie]

Heat rises. It’s normal in summer for it to be hotter upstairs when you have no heating on. Even though your loft is well insulated, go up in the loft for 5 minutes and you’ll be a lot cooler when you get out! Ours is like a sauna upstairs in very hot spells. I’ve occasionally gone downstairs at night to sleep where it’s cooler.

 

[joeturbo]

Jumpers in the summer?

Was a slight exaggeration

 

[JohnD]

Open the loft hatch.

Warm air will stream upwards due to convection currents and stream out through the eaves ventilation.

To speed it up, open a door downstairs, on the shaded side of the house. You will be able to feel the rush of air.

If you wake early, this is especially effective in the early mornings.

Opening upstairs windows will also help, but not so dramatically. If you have LED lighting, it will not attract insects.

Close curtains or blinds on the sunny side during the day.

You can leave the loft hatch open throughout sunny weather.

 

[cwhaley]

Agree with JohnD. We note all these houses flinging the windows open to "let some air in" during the hot days. All you'll do is let warm air.

We keep all windows, blinds and curtains shut during the day. In the evening we open them all and - crucially - open the loft hatch. This creates a stream of air which gets pulled through the house and it's nice to feel the cool breeze. This has always made the upstairs much more comfortable, even on the 30 degree + days.

Best you can do in a country not used to long hot Summers!