What Causes Uneven Cooling in Different Rooms?
When the summer heat arrives in Deptford, NJ, you depend on your AC to keep your home cool. However, if you have a forced-air central AC, it may not cool your entire home evenly. For example, it isn’t uncommon for an AC system to leave a home’s upper floors warmer than its lower ones. Or you may feel chilly in one bedroom while you sweat in another. It’s a condition called uneven cooling, and there are a variety of reasons why it can happen. Some are easy to fix, and others are not. In any case, here are the most common reasons why your home might suffer from uneven cooling.
Blocked Vents
By far, the most common reason for uneven cooling is when some of your AC vents get blocked. This can happen if you place furniture too close to them. Or, it may happen because you’ve closed them on purpose. Unfortunately, blocked ducts can alter your AC’s airflow and lead to hot and cold spots. So, if you’re dealing with uneven cooling, first make sure you open all of your home’s vents. If you find that this still leaves certain rooms too cold, you may need to have your ductwork adjusted. However, opening your vents should mostly eliminate hot spots in your home.
Ductwork Leaks
You may also experience uneven cooling if your ductwork develops leaks. This can happen due to simple wear and tear over time. Or, it can happen if you’ve kept too many vents closed for too long. That can lead to high static pressure inside the ductwork, which may damage it. A common symptom of leaky ductwork is weaker than normal airflow from one or more vents. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to fix leaky ductwork yourself. But if you suspect that you have this problem, call JAMCO Heating & Air Conditioning, and we’ll locate any leaks and repair them.
Inadequate Attic Insulation
Your AC’s ability to cool your home depends on your home’s ability to retain cold air. If your attic doesn’t have enough insulation, it may not be capable of doing that. In the summer, your home’s attic can reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. With adequate attic insulation, that heat stays inside your attic. Otherwise, the heat would seep into your home, forcing your AC to work harder than it should. That can easily result in uneven cooling. The good news is that your attic is among the easiest places to add insulation, making this an easy fix.
A Dirty AC Air Filter
Did you know that the average AC filter needs replacing after every three months of use? If you haven’t kept up with this basic maintenance item, it may lead to uneven cooling. When this happens, your AC may not push enough air through your ductwork to reach every part of your home. It will also run for longer than it should. As a result, the rooms closest to your AC will get colder than you want, while the furthest rooms stay hot. If your AC air filter is your problem, it’s easy to fix. Just buy a compatible replacement and install it in your AC.
Improper Ductwork Damper Settings
A central AC system does come with some inherent weaknesses. One is that it can only put out a constant air volume at any given time. It’s up to your home’s ductwork to take that air volume and divide it up to go where it’s needed. This is why most ductwork systems feature dampers at the beginning of each of their branches. Dampers are doors installed inside the duct that can control how much air passes through. If your home’s ductwork dampers aren’t set properly, parts of your home may not get the airflow they need. Our expert HVAC technicians can adjust your home’s dampers as needed to correct the problem.
An Improperly Sized AC
If your home already had an AC when you moved in, it may not be the right size for your home. All AC installers should perform a heat load calculation to ensure that they install properly sized AC systems. However, some installers skip that step and simply replace the AC they find with a similar system. However, if your home suffers from uneven cooling, it could be because your AC is either too large or too small. An undersized AC will struggle to cool your home. An oversized one will cycle on and off too frequently and produce large temperature swings in your home.
Local Cooling Experts
JAMCO Heating & Air Conditioning is the name to know for your air conditioning needs in Deptford. We offer comprehensive HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair services. That includes selling and installing ductless mini-splits and heat pumps. We even handle commercial HVAC systems, should you own a business nearby. Our team of NATE-certified HVAC technicians can solve any problem that causes uneven cooling. Plus, we’re a Lennox Premier Dealer, and our customers love us. Just check out our long list of glowing reviews to see why. So, if you’re experiencing uneven cooling in Deptford, call our team at JAMCO Heating & Air Conditioning today!
