A:

Everyone asks me that, Vicki. The answer is you probably only have one thermostat in your home, and it is located on the first floor. Because the first floor receives warmed air from the heating system first, it warms up faster. Once the thermostat temperature is met, the furnace shuts off – usually before enough warm air can reach the upper floor.

The best way to correct this is to install a zone heating system. This system divides your home into heating zones, each watched by it own thermostat. When the temperature in a particular zone falls below the set temperature, the thermostat in that zone turns on the furnace. A series of dampers in the duct work guide warm air only to that zone. As a result, the temperature in your home stays consistent from room to room – and your furnace won't work as hard.

Posted By Chris Mohalley At 5:04 PM •

Comment By Linda At 3/23/2009 11:37 AM

Comment By Mike Springer At 4/2/2009 11:31 AM

Is it expensive to add another thermostat to the 2nd level and far bedroom/bath after a home has been built? I have a 2400 sq. foot home that is always colder in the bedroom on the first floor (all of the way across the house from the garage) and on the 2nd level. Are quotes free from your dealers?

Today we are lucky, the wireless world has now produced wireless theremostats. So they can be located almost anywhere even if wires can't get there. Cost depends on location and what you want, simple on/off or programmable for energy savings. Wired thermostats cost less than wired but that cost savings might get eaten up in running the wires through an existing structure. Its been my experience that a quote for any job other than very major renovations or additions are free.

Comment By Chris Mohalley At 4/6/2009 2:58 PM

Are there any special requirements for adding a zone system to a home? My house actually has the opposite problem whereas the second floor gets heated too quickly. However, the system is about 40 years old!

A properly installed zoning system will keep each area a thermostat is located the proper temperture. In your case the upstairs thermostat would not be on very much in the winter. Access to the ductwork near the Furnace/Air Handler is the biggest restricting factor. However, contractors that have done more zoning are better at working around that if needed. As to the age of your system, if it is in good working order that is not an issue for zoning. However, you stand to save a lot of money and gain even more comfort with a new high efficiency ECM driven system

Comment By Chris Mohalley At 4/6/2009 3:09 PM

Comments are locked for this post.