When you walk through your home, do you feel dramatic swings in temperature as you enter or exit certain rooms? Are there places in your home that are a lot warmer or colder than the rest of the house? These are known as hot and cold spots, and can be indicative of a problem with your HVAC system. There are many problems that can cause hot and cold spots in your house, and which problem (or problems) you have may require professional diagnosis and HVAC repair. For those who want to know what they may be dealing with, however, here is an overview of the problems that can cause hot and cold spots, and what to do about them.
The Problem: Poor Air Flow
A common cause of hot and cold spots in homes is poor air flow. Problems with proper air flow can cause furnaces to work less efficiently in some areas of the home, causing the temperature not to be regulated as effectively there. This includes intake as well: Your HVAC needs a sufficient supply of air in order for the air to circulate and the system to work effectively.
How to Fix It
If you suspect an air flow problem, the first thing you should do is go around the house, making sure all of your vents are open and none of them are blocked. Also, make sure your intake vents don’t have rugs or furniture over them. Also check the air filter, which should be replaced every 1-2 months to ensure good flow through. A blocked air filter will also cause air not to circulate as effectively.
If the problem persists even after you’ve checked all the vents and replaced the air filter, it’s time to call a professional. There could be a problem with the duct work that’s causing poor air flow, and these problems aren’t as easily diagnosed or repaired by a DIYer.
The Problem: An Improperly Sized Unit
An HVAC system that is too small for your home will obviously not be able to regulate the temperature as effectively throughout, but most people don’t realize that having a system that is too big is equally as bad. A too-large system works much faster and cycles on and off more frequently, preventing the air from circulating enough to achieve a consistent temperature throughout. Unfortunately, many people believe that bigger is better, so many homes are saddled with too-large HVAC systems, making poorly regulated temperatures a common problem.
How to Fix It
If you hear your system cycling on and off very frequently, or if it sounds like it’s working really hard all the time, you may have an improperly sized HVAC system. The best way to assess the proper size for your home is to call a professional, who can discuss your replacement options with you.
The Problem: Improper Zoning
Zoning is when you have multiple thermostats in different parts of the house, and they all work independently to keep different parts of the house at the right temperatures. If your zoning is badly designed, the system might have a difficult time regulating the temperature throughout a zone, resulting in hot and cold spots.
How to Fix It
A lot of expertise goes into zoning. If the job wasn’t done right the first time around, and certain areas of your home are showing signs of being poorly regulated, the system may need to be redesigned. Consult a professional for a thorough assessment of your home’s zoning and how to fix it.
The Problem: Poorly Designed Additions
A problem that is sometimes related to zoning is if your home has had an addition built at some point over the years. A poorly designed addition, or at least a poorly designed tie-in to the existing HVAC system, may result in all or part of the addition not being heated or cooled effectively. If your addition is frequently warmer or cooler than the rest of the house, this is likely your problem.
How to Fix It
If your addition is too hot or cold, your duct work to the addition may need to be checked for leaks or better insulated, or the system may need to be rezoned. An HVAC professional can give you an assessment of where the problem lies and how to fix it.
If you have hot and cold spots in your house that you can’t seem to get rid of, even when you keep vents clear and replace the air filter on a timely schedule, you may have a problem that requires professional Phoenix AC repair. For a thorough assessment of your HVAC system and what could be causing your hot and cold spots, contact Day & Night Air today.
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