Hot spots and cold spots are some of the most annoying problems to plague an air conditioner. They’re nothing so drastic as to require emergency air conditioning repair in Plano, TX, but they’re far from acceptable.
They’re most commonly noticed during the hotter seasons. Homeowners blast their air conditioners and feel substantially more comfortable in the home, but then they discover that one room is still warm—almost stubbornly so.
If this sounds like something you’ve encountered, keep reading. We’ll go into more depth about how these spots form and what you can do about it.
As alluded to above, a hot/cold spot is a room or area of the home that doesn’t match the temperature in the rest of the home. It can be especially frustrating if this room happens to be a bedroom or any other room that is frequently occupied.
How Do They Form?
There are several reasons why these spots can form. Sometimes, it could be a problem with the HVAC system (but that’s good news because it means it can be easily fixed!).
- Insufficient Insulation: Insulation creates a barrier between your home and the outdoor air. If one part of the home is not properly insulated, it could allow for conditions that form hot/cold spots. The same would be true if insulation was not installed to compensate for things like areas of the home that receive more or less sunlight.
- Duct Leaks: Leaks in your duct system can compromise airflow to the bedrooms. The leak can suck up the air and prevent them from receiving equal airflow.
- Duct Obstructions: Excess dirt, dust, or significant pieces of debris in the ducts can cause to some blockage. Again, based on the location of the blockage, it could prevent some rooms from receiving air.
- Clogged Air Filter: If your hot/cold spots have developed only recently, it could be due to a dirty air filter. An air filter clogged with dirt will block airflow (and could also lead to much worse things).
- Badly Sized HVAC system: Your AC or heater may have never been sized properly in the first place. Regardless of whether the system is over or undersized, it can create airflow issues.
What Can I Do About It?
For one, don’t try to compensate by turning up the heat or AC. All that will do is use up more energy without truly fixing the problem.
Here’s what you can do, though:
- Have your ducts inspected for leaks and obstructions.
- Get your insulation inspected and replaced, if necessary.
- If you already have a central HVAC system, the easiest way to fix the issue would be by installing a ductless heat pump in the affected room. This system would run separately from the central unit and can be controlled individually.
- If you already know you have hot/cold spots but haven’t installed an HVAC system yet, use this opportunity to consider a zone control system. This is a way to proactively fix the problem.
