One Hot Room: Why is One Room Always Hotter?

One Hot Room: Why is One Room Always Hotter?

At McQuillan Bros, we often receive calls from St. Paul and Twin Peaks, MN homeowners complaining that they have one room that is hotter than others. So, why is one room always hotter? As our HVAC St. Paul MN technicians explain why you might be experiencing one hot room in the house. 

Possible Culprit #1: Undersized HVAC Equipment

Before any air conditioning system is installed, a technician performs a heat load calculation. This evaluation is necessary for choosing the correct AC unit size for the home.
However, the heat load in the home often changes as the years roll by, and this can cause a previously appropriate HVAC system to be too small for the new demand placed upon it. For example, when you install additional appliances that generate heat, the added heat load may tip the balance of the AC unit from correctly sized to undersized.
You have a number of options to consider if a plumbing and heating St. Paul MN professional finds that the HVAC system is undersized. These include using ceiling fans, limiting heat-generating appliances, sealing all doors and windows, or even replacing the inadequate HVAC system with a correctly sized one.

Possible Culprit #2: Warm Air Rising Naturally

Our experienced professionals at McQuillan Bros explain that for multi-level homes, it isn’t uncommon for the entire upper floor to be hotter than the rooms downstairs. This happens largely because the denser, cool air sinks to the lowest level of the home. Heat tends to rise to the top.
One hot room is common in Minneapolis. St. Paul HVAC technicians suggest that you improve the attic insulation, install a ventilation fan within the attic, adjust the vents and dampers. In the most extreme circumstances, install an HVAC system dedicated to serving the upper floor of your home. Before you install an additional air conditioning system, consult McQuillan Bros so that we recommend the best course of action.

Possible Culprit #3: Leaky Ductwork

Over time, the sealing on the ductwork in your home can deteriorate. If this deterioration is particularly pronounced in the ducts leading to a specific room, you may notice that the temperature there will be hotter than in the rest of the house.
Before you jump to any conclusions in this regard, invite our St. Paul air conditioning repair professionals. We will quickly identify any leaks and seal them. While sealing or insulating ducts isn’t a guarantee that the hotter room will now be more comfortable, the overall performance of the HVAC system will benefit when the leaky ducts are fixed.

Possible Culprit #4: Inappropriate Thermostat Placement

Another common reason for a room that is too hot is the poor location of the thermostat. While many homeowners may think that the HVAC system has temperature sensors located throughout a home, the truth is that the system relies on just a single sensor found inside the thermostat.
For that reason, any thermostat placed in a wrong location, such as near a window or a heat source, will send inaccurate data to the system. Ultimately, making one or more rooms in the home hotter than the rest.
It is therefore imperative that you contact McQuillan Bros. Our professionals will examine your thermostat and adjust the location if needed. 

Possible Culprit #5: Overdue Adjustments on Vents and Dampers

The HVAC system of your home may have become unbalanced and the dampers, as well as the vents, now need to be adjusted to address the imbalance. Our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, an AC company in Sacramento, adds that most cases of unbalanced systems arise when a room is being used for something different.
For example, if you converted a bedroom into an office, it’s likely that the new space is generating more heat due to the computer wires. If you try to adjust the dampers and vents on your own and no change happens, call an HVAC company in St. Paul, MN professional for help.

Still Unsure About Your Hot Room?

Each home is unique, so we recommend calling an air conditioning professional. At McQuillan Bros, our trained HVAC technicians will quickly inspect the ac system and identify all points of weakness contributing to the uneven cooling. We will provide you with cost-effective solutions, regardless if you need an air conditioning repair or an air conditioning replacement.

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