Why Rooms are Different Temperatures and How to Solve It

It can be frustrating when you are contained in one room all summer because of your air conditioning unit’s inability to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the house. There are a few things that can cause temperature imbalances in the house.

Improper Thermostat Installation

Image via Flickr by CORGI HomePlan

Thermostats monitor the temperature in the room in which they are installed. If that room reaches the programed temperature, it then adjusts by either turning the air on or off. If the thermostat is installed at one end of the home, it is possible that the other end never quite catches up.

One solution to an improper thermostat installation is to move it to a more centralized location. Another option is to install a zoning thermostat system. This allows you to install multiple thermostats in different portions of your home and to individually control each section. Not only can you cut HVAC costs this way, but you can also get a more consistent temperature.

Leaky Ductwork

Ducts that are leaky can cause the cool air to escape from your home. As much as 30 percent of your home’s airflow can escape from leaks. These leaks can be caused by improperly installed ductwork or loose joints that simply need to be tightened. It is also possible that there is a blockage somewhere in the ductwork that leads to a certain room.

Fortunately, correcting leaky ductwork is a simple solution. You can identify the loose joints and temporarily fix them with tape. A more permanent solution, however, would be to have a professional correctly install the ductwork or to switch to a ductless HVAC system. Ductless systems have many advantages, including the ability to set the temperature according to different zones.

Poor Insulation

One of the most common causes of imbalanced temperature in older homes comes from poor insulation. Insulation keeps cool air in and warm air out during the summer months. If your home lacks sufficient insulation, it does not effectively control this. Additionally, if some rooms are more insulated than others, you are likely to notice an imbalance in temperatures across each room.

Adding insulation to the poorly insulated portions of your home give you a more even balance of air flow. It can also reduce your home heating and cooling costs. Determining the current R-Value of the insulation in your home can help you determine how much additional insulation is needed.

Window Location

Windows can also affect how well a room is cooled. Windows let in sunlight, which can make a room feel hotter. Rooms with a lot of windows that directly face the sun are going to be harder to cool. While it might not be realistic to eliminate windows from your home, you can cover them up with sun blocking curtains. Blocking the sun’s hot rays can help to more efficiently cool that specific room in your home.

There are many things that can lead to an imbalanced temperature in your home. Identifying the problem can help you find a solution that works to achieve a comfortable temperature throughout the entire home.