When they build a 2-story house, why don’t they put the thermostat on the 2nd floor (where the temperature is more variable due to heat transfer through the roof)?

Question

I always try to keep my 2nd floor below 80° but my thermostat is on my 1st floor, so I have to keep changing the downstairs thermostat just to keep the upstairs temperature constant.

*For example:* On a really hot day, I have to set the downstairs thermostat to 72° if I want the upstairs to be 80° but on a mild day, I can set the downstairs thermostat to 76° to keep the upstairs at 80°F.

If the upstairs temperature is bound to be more variable (I assume due to heat transfer through the roof), why not put the thermostat on the 2nd floor?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

I’m more concerned about the rapid fluctuations coming from your roof area.

For most of The United States the Department of Energy recommends having approximately 20 inches of fluffy stuff in the attic.

Find your attic access and take an easy measurement of just how deep your fluffy stuff is. I would suggest hiring a professional to top it off to the 20 inches recommended.

This will help normalize and redelete the heat temperature fluctuations you’re seeing if you believe it is coming from your attic/roof.