Have you recently noticed some areas in your home that seem to be hotter than others? Hot spots occur when there’s an imbalance in the indoor temperature. This can be extremely frustrating because no matter how much you try to crank up your AC, these areas will remain hotter than others.
Uneven temperatures in your home can cause an uncomfortable living environment. Wondering how you can correct this issue? Try out one of the following proven methods to improve the evenness of your indoor temperatures.
1. Confirm the Size of Your Cooling System
To achieve even temperatures in your home, you should have a correctly-sized cooling system. Have you moved into a new home or completed any home renovations? If you’ve recently refinished an attic or added walls, your AC may no longer be reliable.
Correct capacity is reflected in your system’s tonnage. If you have an undersized air conditioner, it will strain to meet the set temperatures. Most people think that having big cooling systems will effectively regulate their indoor temperatures.
That’s where they go wrong. If you have an oversized AC, it will run short cycles hence causing uneven temperatures. This might also make it impossible for your system to regulate humidity.
So, how can you sort this out? Well, it’s simple. You just need to have the system replaced with a properly sized system for your home. You can also modify your existing ductwork to suit the space that needs cooling. Installing a ductless mini-split can also come in handy. Mini-splits are ideal for attics, additions, garages, and sunrooms.
2. Check Your Ducts
It’s in your best interest to have your ductwork checked regularly by a qualified technician. Otherwise, your ducts may develop leaks, blockages, or holes, thus interfering with the airflow. If there’s a particular room in your home that seems too hot, the chances are high that cooled air isn’t reaching it.
To diagnose this, you can put your hand over the registers while your cooling system is on. Can you feel cool air? Does the airflow as strong as the other air registers in the house? If no, you undoubtedly need to get your air duct inspected.
If you have a damaged connection, some air may leak, resulting in hot spots due to the impaired ducts. Apart from creating hot spots in your home, damaged ducts can also lead to high utility bills. So, to be on the safe side, you can conduct a thorough inspection by using a thermal camera.
If you notice any issue, it’s best to call in a certified technician. With the help of a professional, he/she will locate the source, do repairs, and eliminate the hot spots. You can rest assured of receiving better cooling and decreasing your electricity bills.
On rare occasions, your duct may not be capable of handling a high-efficiency unit. In such instances, the technician will help you determine the right solution for your needs.
3. Check Your Vents
It’s wise to check the vents throughout your home. It will help to make certain that there aren’t any obstacles in front of or over them. Items such as furniture and plants can negatively influence the airflow, thus interfering with the system’s proper distribution of cooled air.
This also happens when your vents are closed. That’s why you need to keep them open, remove, or simply relocate your things to ensure free airflow.
4. Consider Installing a Zoning System
Installing a zoned thermostat system is another way of effectively dealing with hot spots. Upper levels in your home are somehow having trouble keeping cool. But with the help of a zoning system, you’ll have independent control over the temperature in each zone.
For instance, you can set the sunny side of your house as one zone. This allows you to regulate the temperature without freezing out the other rooms in your home. In simple terms, a good thermostat and zoning system will allow you to lower or raise temperatures in a specific area.
This way, everyone enjoys an environment balanced to suit individual needs. Get in touch with a heating company about your zoning options. You can also install a programmable thermostat that helps automate adjustments in temperature.
5. Get New Curtains
Solar heat gains are the leading causes of hot spots. If you have a room with southern exposure, the sun’s heat can play a role in getting it hotter than the other rooms in the house. Simply using better curtains that can either reflect or block the light can help. This is one of the least expensive and easiest ways of getting rid of hot spots.
When you fail to cover your windows during sunny days, the heat can seep through, raising the interior temperature. To remedy this, you can start by ensuring you cover the windows on a sunny day. You can also tint your windows, install awnings, or plant a tree to act as a shade.
Curtains and blinds help control the amount of light that enters your living space. As such, your cooling system won’t have to work beyond its limits to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
6. Consider Your Insulation
If you have a fairly old home or outdated insulation, plan for an inspection to figure out if this is behind the temperature fluctuations. Most types of insulation rarely last as compared to their alternatives. That’s why basement temperatures might be slightly different from first floor temperatures.
7. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Most homeowners make the mistake of turning a blind eye on system maintenance until their heating systems start malfunctioning. Do you remember the last time you scheduled for maintenance service?
Lack of proper maintenance can lead to the creation of hot spots in your home. Now that you know how your ignorance can come back to bite you, schedule regular maintenance so that you can resolve potential issues early.
8. Check for Drafts
Generally, you might end up spending hundreds of dollars in wasted energy due to drafts. Holes, gaps, and cracks throughout your home give way for inside air to seep out. This can wreak havoc on your cooling system, thus leading to the creation of hot spots. To remedy this, look around for drafts in joints, doors, and windows and have them quickly repaired.
Give Us A Call
When dealing with hot spots in your area of residence, speaking with an expert about possible solutions is the best way to handle the situation. That’s where we come in. At Beyer Air Conditioning & Heating, we’re the most reliable AC company serving San Antonio. We’ve specialized in all things from AC repairs and maintenance to installations and replacements.
As a family-owned and operated company, we treat our customers with the utmost respect and professionalism. Our trained and certified technicians have over 40 years of collective experience to accommodate all your heating and air conditioning needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help improve your home’s comfort.
