There are few things more annoying than trying to relax in a room in your home that just won’t seem to cool down. You’ve invested in an air conditioning system, yet one room always feels hotter than the others — what gives? If you’ve suddenly noticed that there are inconsistent temperatures throughout your house, you may be wondering why. Is it a defect in the system? Does it have anything to do with the weather outside? And, is there anything you can do to solve the problem?
6 Reasons Why One Room Is Hotter Than the Rest of the House
1. Poor Insulation
When it comes to keeping cool air inside of your home, insulation is so important. Unfortunately, when a home has poor insulation, all of the cool air that the air conditioning system works so hard to produce can quickly seep outside. Not only can this make certain areas of your home feel warmer than the rest, but it can cause a steep increase in energy costs.
If the insulation in your home is too old — 80 years or older — it will also allow cooled air to escape through the walls. If you don’t know the age of your insulation, you can conduct a home energy audit. You can then remedy the situation by adding loose-fill or cellulose insulation, or by hiring a professional to do so.
2. Clogged or Faulty Air Ducts
Air ducts are like the lungs of your air conditioning system. All of the air must travel through the air ducts before it can reach the rooms in your home. However, there are many things along the way that can cause regular wear and tear in your home’s ductwork, such as dust accumulation, mold, insects, and age, causing air leaks. If the air ducts are not routinely cleaned, they can be especially susceptible to clogs, which can hinder proper airflow and make it difficult for your air conditioning system to cool certain parts of your home. Luckily, a clogged air duct is a relatively easy fix. If you suspect this is the issue, call your local HVAC technician to clear it out.
If your ductwork is older than 15 years, it may be time to install new ones. Failing to do so will continue to cause inconsistent temperatures from room to room, as well as energy inefficiency — resulting in a higher amount on your monthly power bill.
3. Home Layout
Sometimes the layout of your home can influence how hot or cold certain rooms get. We all know heat rises, which is why rooms on the second level of a home can be notoriously harder to cool. Levels aren’t the only factor to keep in mind. Rooms with lots of windows, for example, also experience temperature disparities. If you think one of these factors is making one room in your home warmer than the other, we recommend talking to a professional HVAC technician for guidance.
4. Too Much Sunlight Coming In
In the same way the Earth’s atmosphere traps the sun’s heat and causes a greenhouse effect, having large windows and glass walls will make such areas of the house warmer than the rest — especially during the hottest days of the year. Fortunately, this scenario has a relatively simple fix. If the reason for the warm indoor temperatures is sunlight, closing curtains, blinds, or shades will resolve it. You may also consider outdoor landscaping, such as trees, shrubs, or bushes, to help filter some of the light.
5. Thermostat Is in a Bad Location
If a thermostat is located on a wall that faces the exterior of your home, or near one of the warmest locations in your home — such as the kitchen or laundry room — it will calibrate a wrong temperature reading in your house, especially if you’re running large appliances such as the oven or clothes dryer. For the most accurate readings, the thermostat should be located on an interior wall close to where your family spends most of their time. This could be a project for a seasoned DIYer who is comfortable with a little electrical work and drilling, but most people will probably prefer to entrust it to a licensed professional.
6. Air Conditioner Is Too Small for Your Home
When buying an air conditioner, you have to take into account your home’s square footage, how many people live in your household, and ceiling height. If you install an AC that’s too small for your home, it will fail to cool every room evenly. This not only creates an uncomfortable environment, but it can also cost you money. Plus, your indoor environment will be more humid, which can promote mold growth and structural damage in the long term.
If You Need to Replace Your AC, We Can Help
At Complete Air Mechanical, our experienced team of HVAC technicians are available to inspect, repair, or even replace your system. If you’re having trouble with your AC fan, we’ve got you covered. We provide services in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties, and we offer financing options.
Call us at (407) 915-0144 and let us make your home comfortable.