So, guess what? Last year, I got this sweet 1970s colonial home with two stories and a centralized forced air system. Downstairs, it’s all good, comfy and cozy most of the year. However, the moment mid-June rolls around, the upstairs turns into a literal sauna. The thermostat being downstairs only makes matters worse. It’s chilling at a cool 72 degrees while the bedrooms are sweltering at a toasty 82 degrees.
I had an HVAC dude swing by, and he dropped the bomb that the ductwork going up to the second floor is way too puny. Plus, the returns up there are basically just for show, not doing much in terms of actually cooling things down. His solution? A hefty $8k to revamp the ducts, which, let’s be real, isn’t in the budget right now. He also suggested slapping a mini split in the master bedroom. But, my other half ain’t too keen on the idea. She’s all like, “Nah, those wall units are an eyesore,” and keeps pushing for window units instead. But, I don’t know, something about window units screams temporary fix to me.
I’ve been digging into the world of inverter window units and those sleek ductless options, but man, separating the wheat from the chaff is tough. The bedrooms are about 200-250 square feet each, with windows that conveniently face south, adding to the heat. So, if you’ve been in a similar hot mess and found a solution that actually does the trick without ripping your house apart, hit me up.