I agree with the "weatherstrip the bedrooms upstairs and move the thermostat into one of them" comment. Also, if there are any vents that empty into common areas of the upstairs, close them off so they put out a much smaller volume of air. If the biggest issue is nighttime use, you want all the air headed for the bedroom as possible.
Also, if you're going to open windows on the top floor, you're only getting some of the venting benefit if you aren't also opening at least one window downstairs (and leaving that glass door at the stairs open).
If windows upstairs are open, you only get cross-breeze. If you open a window (just one) downstairs and make sure it's open through to the upstairs, the whole house will vent heat upwards and out the windows above. Just make sure the window you open downstairs isn't facing the sun... you want the coolest air coming in that you can.
Don't open all the windows upstairs though, just one or maybe two if they're directly opposite each other. The more windows you open upstairs, the less effective it will be, because you're alleviating all the pressure that makes the vent work.
Also, you may notice that it's cooler downstairs because cool air is being sucked in as the hot air escapes upstairs.
|