Why Is My AC Only Cooling Some Rooms?
Ideally, your home’s indoor temperature will remain constant as you move from room to room. The reality, however, is often quite different. It’s rare to find a home with uniform temperature throughout. Why is that, and how do you fix it?
Well, there could be a few reasons you’re able to sit comfortably in your living room but sweating underneath the covers in your bedroom. Fortunately, Entek likely has the solution. Here’s why your AC is cooling only some of the rooms in your home and what to do about it.
Problem: Closed Vents
Sometimes the problem, and solution, are right in front of your eyes. The first thing you’ll want to do is to check the vents in each room. Are they fully open? If not, this could be the reason it feels as though the AC is only cooling some of the rooms in your home: some of the vents may be closed.
Solution: Open Them
If this is the problem, congratulations. There’s a quick and easy fix. Simply open the air vents in the rooms where it feels like the AC isn’t cooling. It may take some trial and error, but you should be able to get the vents positioned so each room of your home is cooled to your liking.
Problem: Clogged Air Filter
Sometimes the problem isn’t quite so obvious, though it may still be simple to diagnose. Another common reason your AC is only cooling some of the rooms in your home is that your air filter is clogged. When your air filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris, it will prevent air from flowing through your ducts into every room of the home.
When this happens, only the rooms located closest to the system will cool. If you notice rooms located farther from the unit feel warmer, then this may be the issue. Fortunately, this is another problem with a quick and easy fix.
Solution: Clean Air Filter Frequently
To prevent this problem from occurring, make sure you clean your air filters regularly. Generally speaking, this should be done at least once every few months. However, it may need to be done more frequently, depending on your lifestyle.
For instance, if you have pets or if you smoke indoors, then your air filter may need to be cleaned monthly. If you haven’t cleaned your air filter recently, see if you notice a difference after doing so. If not, keep reading to determine what else could be causing your AC to cool only some of the rooms in your home.
Problem: Evaporator Coils Are Dirty
Dirty evaporator coils will cause your AC unit to operate less efficiently as well. In addition to not cooling properly, your energy bills are likely to be much higher.
Solution: Routine Maintenance
In order to solve this problem, you should clean your evaporator coil at least once a year. This is something that can be done during your routine maintenance appointment. Ideally, you should have your HVAC system serviced twice a year. Once in the spring, right before the start of summer, and again in the fall, prior to the start of the winter months.
Problem: Fan Motor Not Working Properly
Many cooling problems have simple solutions that will get your AC working again in no time at all. But occasionally, you’ll need to call in the experts for assistance. For instance, you may have a fan motor that’s not operating properly or not be running at all. If that’s the case, you may have a capacitor that needs to be replaced. Time to call in some reinforcements.
Solution: Call a Technician
If you need to replace a part in your AC unit, it’s best to call in a technician to perform the repair. Working with HVAC systems can be dangerous. Call a technician to diagnose the problem and recommend the right solution. An HVAC expert can tell you whether you should replace a part or if it’s time to upgrade to a new unit.
Problem: Leaky Air Ducts
Leaky air ducts are another common culprit when an AC unit is only cooling some rooms in the home. Take a close look at your air ducts and see if you notice any tears, cracks, or gaps. The area where two air ducts connect is the place where leaks are most likely to occur. Turn your unit on and run your hand underneath this area. If you can feel air coming out, you know there’s a leak.
Solution: Seal Them
If you suspect leaky air ducts are to blame, you should have them sealed. Entek uses a technology known as Aeroseal to seal your ducts up to 95 percent, saving you hundreds of dollars a year on your energy bill. Give us a call to learn more about this remedy.
Problem: AC Unit Is the Wrong Size
Did you know that many HVAC units are sized improperly or installed incorrectly? This is another common cause of units cooling inefficiently. If a unit is too small, for instance, it won’t be able to adequately cool your home on hot summer days.
Solution: Replace It
While it may not necessarily be the news you want to hear, your best bet may be to replace the system altogether. You can check first to see if you have warranty coverage with the company that recommended the unit in the first place. If so, check the terms of your contract to see if the labor and cost of an improperly sized unit are covered.
Problem: All Rooms Are Not Created Equal
Another thing to keep in mind that may not be so obvious is that not all rooms are created equal, meaning each room has its own unique design. Some have windows, others may not. Also, the direction each room faces makes a difference in how much heat or cool air it receives. For instance, if a room gets lots of sunlight, then it may be warmer than some of the other rooms in the home.
Solution: Zoned Air Conditioning
To fix this problem, you should consider zoned heating and air conditioning. When you install a zoned system, dampers in your ductwork redirect air to certain areas of the home. This allows you to customize the temperature within each area, or zone, of your home. The areas that need more cooling will get more air, and those that need less cooling will get less air. This increases your family’s comfort levels while also reducing your energy bills.
As you can see, there are many reasons your AC may only cool some of the rooms in your home. The good news, though, is that there are solutions to virtually every problem. If you find that you can’t determine the problem on your own, give Entek a call. We’ll help get your AC running smoothly, and help you keep your cool all summer long.
