The best way to find out why the top floor is warmer than the rest of the house is to have an Energy Audit performed on your home. Building Performance Institute certified auditors perform a series of tests to help homeowners better understand inefficiencies within their homes. They then work with homeowners to determine what steps will help provide the best "bang for the buck" while improving the efficiency of their home.

The auditors use specialized equipment such as infrared cameras and pressure blowers to detect air leaks, ventilation problems or where insulation might be lacking. In addition, they provide a full analysis of the appliances and can recommend upgrades to newer, highly efficient models. Often, older appliances use more energy and are less effective than newer models, leading to higher energy bills each month. Another way to ease the burden on these appliances is often by installing additional insulation, which helps keep the home at the desired temperature.

In fact, it's smart to perform an energy audit on your home before starting any home improvement project. The auditors can help guide you towards rebates and incentives in your area, while identifying the problems that will get you the maximum return on your home improvement dollar.