In the middle of winter, simply getting out of bed can shock the system if the room is cold. Though warm air rises, it heads straight for the ceiling. If the home is not properly ventilated and insulated, the second floor may be cold, even when the ground floor feels warm. There are several ways to warm the second story of your home when outdoor temperatures are cold.
You will need:
• Insulation
• Ceiling fans
• Large trees
• Box fan
• Space heaters
Step 1: Have your furnace inspected by a professional to ensure that it is operating efficiently. Have needed repairs performed and change the air filter regularly.
Step 2: Install several ceiling fans on the first floor. Place one of them near the stairway to your second floor. Flip the fan switch to make the paddles rotate counterclockwise or in reverse. Blades that circulate in this manner draw warm air up and distribute it to the second story of the house. To circulate this warm air, set the ceiling fans on your second floor to run clockwise.
Step 3: Identify the north side of your home and plant several large trees in this area. These will block some of the cold winds, allowing the upstairs to stay warmer.
Step 4: Install some space heaters in the most-used rooms on your second floor. The size of each heater should be appropriate for the square footage of the room. If children or pets live in the house, choose heaters that remain cool to the touch and are tilt-resistant.
Step 5: Insulate your attic or update any old insulation. This prevents heat from escaping via your roof.
Step 6: At the base of your first floor stairs, use a box fan set to low. This will pull warm air from the first story and send it upstairs.
Step 7: During a sunny day, raise the blinds or shades and open the curtains on the second floor windows to allow the warm rays of the sun to enter the home.
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