Kurt Ullman wrote:
In article ,
" wrote:

Kurt Ullman wrote:
The upstairs is almost always hotter than the downstairs during the
summer. Noticeably hotter. If we get the upstairs comfortable, the
downstairs is like an ice box.
Any suggestions? The house is about 20 years old. Also, I'm trying
to avoid tearing up the roof.

Venetian blinds or room-darkening shades at windows. Depending on
layout, a ceiling fan in stairway or near it might help push the warm
air downstairs or toward return to AC. Insulation. Attic ventilation
with ridge vents and soffit vents.

Is the ceiling fan exhausted into the attic or would I need to put
a hole in my roof? I have two ridge vents, one above the (downstairs)

What I referred to was not an exhaust fan - just one of those thingys
you hang from the ceiling ) If situated right, you might be able to
bring cool air up or warm air down.

family room w/ cathedral ceiling, and another on the main roof. I
counted 8 soffit vents including 6 along the main living upstairs living
area.

There is a formula for calculating how much attic ventilation you need,
based on square feet of attic FLOOR space... one sq. ft. roof vent per
300 sq. ft. attic floor. Should make sure that soffits aren't covered
by insulation.
How much insulation is currently be suggested?

Ransley knows all the numbers for that )

Insulation in walls are a factor, and even landscaping (shade trees, etc.)