Everyone’s watching a movie, feeling nice and cool in the living room. You get up and go to grab something from the bedroom and it feels warmer than the rest of the house…why?

Surely, that shouldn’t happen with central air conditioning, which is meant to regulate the temperature in the entire home, right?

Temperature imbalances in different rooms are actually quite common in central AC systems and it may be nothing too much to worry about. It may not even be a problem with your AC but another aspect of your home. But the problem shouldn’t be ignored. Your home’s comfort and energy efficiency could suffer.

So, let’s look at the main reasons why some rooms are hotter than others…

WHY ARE SOME ROOMS HOTTER THAN OTHERS? 

Some rooms are hotter than others in centrally air-conditioned homes mainly due to one of the following reasons: poor insulation, sunlight exposure, room size/usage, home layout, the building materials used, home renovations, obstructed airflow, ductwork issues or an AC system issue.

Let’s delve deeper into each of these potential issues and look at some troubleshooting steps we can use to identify and fix the problem….

STAY COOL ALL YEAR ROUND WITH ONE WAY AIR…

The team at One Way Air installs, services, and repairs all types of air conditioning systems in Southwest Florida. Get in touch with us here for a quote or call 239-233-4356 in emergencies.

COMMON REASONS FOR TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES IN ROOMS: A DEEPER DIVE

You’ve checked the obvious reasons like a window open in the room or closed vents—but it still feels hotter in one room than others. 

Here’s a closer look at each of the possible reasons why this may be happening even when the central air conditioning is on and seemingly functioning normally…

Inadequate insulation

Poor or uneven insulation in your home can cause some rooms to be hotter than others because heat will enter those rooms more easily and the cool air will escape more easily.

Insulation in the walls, attic spaces, ceilings, and around the windows and doors is essential to keeping cool air in and heat out in Florida.

SOLUTION:

Sunlight exposure

We don’t need reminding about the heat of the Florida sun. If rooms in your home face south or south-west, they get more direct sunlight and this can heat them quicker than other rooms.

Large, single-pane windows with a lack of shading or window coverings will exacerbate the problem and increase the amount and intensity of sunshine entering the room. Double-paned windows with shades, blinds or curtains can reduce heat transfer.

SOLUTION:

HVAC system issues

Various HVAC system issues may be to blame for some areas of your home feeling hotter than others. Most typically, the causes are:

SOLUTION:

Room size or usage

You already know that a south-facing room tends to heat up quicker in Florida—but other aspects of a room also affect how hot it gets.

If the room is close to a heat source (kitchen or bathroom), for instance, it may heat up quicker than other rooms. The distance from the thermostat may also affect its temperature at times.

Larger or corner rooms may be more challenging to keep cool and rooms that are used more frequently often accumulate heat from appliances, lighting, etc.

SOLUTION:

Airflow obstructions

Good airflow is the heartbeat of HVAC systems. Anything that obstructs the free flow of air can damage performance, potentially making some rooms feel hotter than others.

Vents that are blocked by furniture or rugs—or dirty air filters—are two common reasons for restricted air circulation. 

Soft ductwork can also become crushed and this can block airflow to a particular room.

SOLUTION:

Ductwork leaks

If ducts are uninsulated, leaky or have long runs from the AC unit, this can also cause the air to feel warmer in some rooms because it picks up heat as it passes through the ducting.

With good insulation, ductwork is less affected by external air temperatures and can hold the cool air and maintain an even temperature, provided there are no leaks.

SOLUTION:

Home build and layout

The type of materials used in the building of your home can also affect temperatures in different rooms. Different materials used in walls, floors, and ceilings have different thermal properties.

Similarly, the design and layout of your home can affect how evenly it is cooled by the AC system. Larger, multi-level homes are more challenging to balance airflow and maintain even temperatures. Warm air rises and extra-long ductwork may not help. 

SOLUTION: 

Home upgrades and renovations

Home upgrades and renovations can sometimes create an imbalance in the AC system installed in your home. 

Different construction and insulation materials may be used and new zones developed that the original system was not designed for. This can result in temperature fluctuations throughout the home. 

SOLUTION: 

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT UNEVEN ROOM TEMPERATURE ISSUES

Learning how to troubleshoot AC problems can help prevent unnecessary AC repair calls when a simple fix is all that is required.

Any homeowner can take the following basic steps to identify issues with uneven temperature distribution in the home:

Observe when the temperature imbalances occur and make notes if necessary. See if any patterns arise as this may help you identify what the cause is.

If, for instance, the imbalances happen in certain weather, at certain times of day or when there are more people in the home, these are essential clues to finding the cause.

Sometimes, nothing can replace the skills and knowledge of a professional HVAC technician. So, if the above steps don’t identify the issue with uneven cooling, try the following…

Book a home energy audit

A home energy assessment or “audit” is a good starting point if you’re unsure why some rooms are hotter than others. A professional will inspect your home to evaluate its energy efficiency and identify if, where, and why energy is being wasted. You can expect recommendations on how to improve your home’s energy consumption—including with insulation, fixing air leaks, and improving the efficiency of your HVAC system. This can increase home comfort levels and lower bills.

Get a professional HVAC system inspection 

If you don’t feel the need for a complete audit and suspect the problem lies with the HVAC system, book an AC tune-up or professional inspection as soon as possible.

During a tune-up, our technicians will inspect the thermostat, filters, vents, and ducts, and test all essential components for efficient performance. We will also clean and lubricate all essential system parts to optimize efficiency.

If you’re experiencing uneven temperature distribution in your home, a thorough inspection by an AC professional can help identify the reason. 

FAQs

If you’re in Southwest Florida, talk to an AC professional about how to keep your family comfortable all year round. Contact One Way Air today.