[mo mo]

Hello there! My husband and I are constantly in battle over thermostat settings.
We have two story saltbox home with two-story ceiling in foyer which leads to upper level.
It is Summer in Atlanta and hot! He will set thermostat on main level to 80 at night and upper thermostat to 74. (there are two air conditioning units) At night upstairs unit runs and runs taking forever to cool down. When it does go off, it is off only for a few minutes and then comes back on. The one on the main floor doesn't come on at all, mind you. (set at 80) One night I went downstairs (after he was asleep of course) and turned the main floor thermostat to 74 as well. It didn't take long before the second floor was cooled down and the air would only come on now and then. I went back down and returned the main floor thermostat up to 80 again before I went to sleep so as not to cause a war the next morning. The temp outside was in low 70's so I figured once it cooled off on the main that it would stay cool. Next morning it was cool on main.
My question is: If it is true that "heat rises", and if the temp on the main floor is always hot because the air is not running down there, then isn't the heat rising up and making it difficult to cool the upper level? (remember it's a high two-story ceiling) In other words, is it wise to turn the main floor unit off or up so high that it won't come on, and expect to cool the upstairs? He does the reverse during the day... cranking the upstairs thermostat way up so it won't come on, and putting the main floor thermostat on 78. According to a thermometer I have it is at least three degrees off, too. Therefore it's 81 when the thermostat says it's 78. It's driving me bonkers, and I'm tired of roasting.
And of course we have to freeze in winter. I have heat dishes all over the place.
PLEASE can you help me solve this problem! Thank you!
Tired of roasting. (and freezing)

[hvac1000]

is true that "heat rises

YES

and if the temp on the main floor is always hot because the air is not running down there, then isn't the heat rising up and making it difficult to cool the upper level?

A good possibility

Your problem is with you and your husband not being able to agree on what temperatures to keep the house at now with your systems.

I suggest having a serious talk with him about the situation. Both of you are correct depending on the point of vue.

If that does not work seek a marriage counselor to see if you can work it out. We do not offer that kind of service here. Good luck.