Why Is My Bedroom Warmer Than the Rest of the House?
Have you noticed that your bedroom is warmer than the rest of your house? Not sure why that’s the case? It’s not always a simple solution, such as just opening the windows to let more air in. There could be several reasons, some of which you can handle on your own and others you may want to call in a professional HVAC company, like Entek, to handle.
If you enjoy having a warmer bedroom, then it might not seem like a problem. But the cause could indicate broader problems with your HVAC system. And if you’d like your bedroom to be cooler—which is what sleep experts recommend for a good night’s sleep—or at the very least on par with the rest of your home, you’ll want to look into what’s causing your bedroom to be warmer than the rest your house.
Excessive Sunlight
If your bedroom is in a part of the house that gets more sun exposure than other parts, that could be one of the main reasons it’s warmer. If there are a lot of windows in your bedroom, heat from the sun will create a greenhouse effect. During the day, the sun shines in, warming the air in your bedroom. Because that warm air is now trapped inside, the room retains the warmth throughout the evening and into the night.
If this is the problem, it’s an easy fix. Simply add heavy curtains, drapes, or blinds to help keep the sun out when it’s at its strongest.
Dirty Air Filter
Another thing you can do yourself is check the air filter. If it’s dirty, that can restrict the flow of air through the vents and hold warmer air in one room or another. It can also harm the air quality in your home.
Regularly replacing the air filter is an easy fix for keeping your bedroom cooler. It’s a good practice to change the filters once a month to make sure air is flowing smoothly and without blockage.
If you change your air filter and the temperature of your bedroom doesn’t improve, don’t write off poor airflow as the cause just yet. Buildup in the actual air ducts might be the problem. A good duct cleaning might be what you need. Call your local HVAC professionals for an inspection.
Ductwork Is Old or Damaged
If the ductwork in your home is older, that could be another reason why your bedroom is warmer than the rest of your house. Over time, dust, mold, and uneven air pressure can damage air ducts. When this happens, air can leak out of your ducts before it reaches your bedroom. This will reduce the airflow in your room, leaving the air not only warmer but also feeling stale.
If your ductwork is more than 10 to 15 years old, it may be worth checking to see what state it’s in. Poor insulation and leaks are the main causes of significant energy loss from HVAC systems but can be remedied by sealing and insulating the ductwork in your home. At Entek, we’re a leading duct-sealing expert and can most definitely help with this fix.
Check the Insulation of Your Home
Things change. Equipment wears and tears over time. Because of this, it’s important to check if the insulation in your home is up to today’s standards. If it isn’t, the temperatures throughout your home can start to vary from room to room. Maybe your bedroom is too warm but your living room is freezing.
How can you tell if this is the problem? One way to check this is to have a home energy audit. You can have a professional HVAC company do this. Not only will it help ensure your bedroom temperature is consistent with the rest of your home, but it can also help you make sure you aren’t overpaying on your energy bill.
Return Air Vents Are Insufficient
Many older homes were built with only a few return air vents. These are important in terms of properly circulating air throughout your home. If your home doesn’t have enough vents, the system may not be exchanging the air in your bedroom as it should be. This could mean the heat is pouring in with nowhere else to go.
One fix for this is calling in a professional to install more return air vents. It’s a worthwhile upgrade that’ll improve the air quality in your entire house.
Air-Conditioning System Is Too Small
While uneven room temperatures can affect your home year-round, trouble with your AC is primarily a summer issue (unless you live somewhere that stays fairly warm through the winter months).
Air conditioners don’t come in a standard size. The size unit you need to cool your home depends on the size of your space. A larger space will require a larger unit. For example, according to Consumer Reports, if you’re using a window AC, a bedroom of 250 to 400 square feet, is going to need a unit that puts out 7,000 to 8,500 BTUs.
Additionally, if you have high ceilings, that could require more energy and a larger system. The location of the air conditioner system or air vents in your bedroom can also have an effect.
In some cases, adding a fan to the room can help circulate the cooled air. However, this fix doesn’t work for every space. You may have to upgrade your air-conditioning system fully. This is something that should be done by professionals.
These are just a few possible reasons why your bedroom might be warmer than the rest of your house. Every home is different, and even every room is different—maybe it’s your den that’s too warm, instead of your bedroom. Whatever the room, give some of these quick fixes a try, like adding blinds to your windows, and see if something simple works. If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to call an HVAC professional to come take a look. You can solve the problem together and make sure that your room stays as cool as you want it to be.