In the summertime, your AC system can seem like one of the most crucial investments in your home, and it probably is. You rely on ready, cool air to keep the wheels of your life turning even when it is sweltering outside. That is why it can be such a pain if not downright disruptive when you experience uneven cooling issues. Why does that happen? Here are some common causes of uneven cooling as well as possible fixes.
Leaky Air Ducts
Air ducts are responsible for distributing cooled air into the individual rooms of your house or building. When one of them develops rips, tears, or holes, some areas of the house may not cool as well as others because the air is siphoning off.
How to fix it?
You need to check your air ducts for possible damage that could be contributing to uneven cooling. If you can’t locate the source of the issue on your own, you may want to ask an AC professional for help.
Blocked Vents
Vents often go unnoticed, as they are designed to do. This means that they are one of the last things in our home to be cleaned if they ever are. Especially in older homes, vents can become too dirty and disrupt airflow. Additionally, residents sometimes unknowingly block vents by moving furniture or other objects in front of them, or sometimes vents get closed and forgotten about.
How to fix it?
Check all of your vents; make sure they are open and not blocked. If they are very dirty, you can use a vacuum to suck up a lot of debris in and around the front of the vent. You can also use vents to redirect air to certain parts of your home that are more difficult to cool such as the second floor. Do this by partially (but not completely!) closing some vents on the first floor to force more air into the other rooms.
Faulty or Aging Air Conditioner
Your air conditioning system may be getting too old or experiencing problems. If it is not performing correctly, it can fail to produce enough cool air or remove enough hot air to evenly cool your home.
How to fix it?
You can hire an AC technician who will inspect your system and determine if repairs are needed. If the unit has aged significantly, it may no longer be economical or practical to attempt repairs and your hired professional might therefore recommend replacing it entirely.
Insufficient Insulation
Your air conditioning needs to work much harder to do its job if your home is not sufficiently insulated, particularly your attic. The connections between your outdoor unit and your home need to be insulated too. Otherwise, they will heat up in the sun and further degrade the quality of your air conditioning. Any of these problems can lead to uneven cooling in the home.
How to fix it?
Make sure your home is well-insulated and add insulation to your attic if necessary. Double-check that your insulation has the appropriate R-value for your house and region. If you think your AC system’s insulation is damaged or lacking, contact a professional to correct this issue.
Need help with your air conditioning in South Florida? Cousin's Air, Inc. offers a complete suite of services, including AC repair, AC installation, and AC maintenance. Call or contact Cousin's Air, Inc. for a consultation.