Solving Uneven Cooling in House: Five Tips

Uneven air distribution is incredibly common and can make a Reddick home hot and uncomfortable. However, many homeowners don’t know how to resolve uneven cooling in a house, making it difficult to maintain their desired indoor temperature. That’s why Fast Air Repair put together a brief guide to teach Reddick homeowners what causes uneven air distribution and how to restore it swiftly and efficiently. 

Fast Air Repair is one of Reddick, FL’s, most trusted HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation companies. If you need heating and air conditioning experts in Reddick, FL, that always put your best interests first, contact Fast Air Repair.

What Causes Uneven Cooling in a House?

Before you learn how to fix uneven air distribution, you must understand the common causes. Uneven cooling can occur for numerous reasons and prevent your HVAC unit from performing optimally. If you don’t address these problems quickly, they will get worse and potentially cause your air conditioner to break down prematurely. 

Below are some common causes of uneven cooling in a house.

Air Duct Leaks

Most air conditioners connect to a home’s air ducts that distribute cool air throughout your home. However, sometimes air ducts experience damage, creating small holes and gaps that allow cool air to escape before it reaches certain rooms. This often leads to uneven air distribution that can cause your air conditioner to work overtime to maintain your home’s internal temperature. 

Leaks can also reduce the air pressure within the ductwork, worsening air distribution. 

Outdated HVAC System

Most HVAC units lose efficiency after a decade or so and have trouble keeping your home cool during Florida’s hot summer season. They often struggle to cool rooms farthest away from the system, leaving them much hotter than the rest of the house.

Uneven cooling is one of the primary signs of an outdated HVAC system, so it’s best to consider a replacement once it reaches the 15-year mark. Although repairing an old air conditioner might sound more cost-effective, it will only provide a temporary fix, making a replacement more affordable in the long run.

Short Cycling

Short cycling is when an AC unit’s compressor turns on and off before completing a full cooling cycle. Most HVAC units take around ten minutes to finish a cycle and likely won’t fully cool a home if it completes one before then. 

Short cycling puts unnecessary stress on the unit while significantly increasing your energy bills. Waiting too long to fix a short cycling unit will cause it to break down, costing you to waste hundreds on repairs.

Zoning Issues

HVAC zoning allows you to cool specific rooms without affecting another’s temperature. However, when thermostat sensors or duct damper issues occur, they can obstruct zoning, making it difficult for your HVAC system to distribute air.

Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

Air filters are small yet important aspects of your HVAC system that prevent airborne pollutants from tainting your home’s indoor air. However, dirty air filters can impede airflow and cause uneven cooling in your home. They also significantly reduce your indoor air quality. 

Most AC units require a new air filter every month or so to function properly. Failing to change your air filter regularly will cause numerous issues, ranging from inconsistent cooling to increased energy payments.

Five Tips for Fixing Uneven Cooling in a House

Fortunately, homeowners can fix uneven cooling in a house in a variety of ways. Below are some efficient ways to restore your HVAC system’s air distribution so you can beat the heat throughout the summer.

1. Switch Your Thermostat From “Auto” to “On”

Most thermostats are preset to the “auto” position. However, if you experience uneven cooling, sometimes turning your thermostat to the “on” setting can fix the problem.

The “on” setting keeps the HVAC system’s fan on even after it completes a cooling cycle. This often improves air circulation since the unit runs continuously instead of shutting off every ten minutes or so.

It’s important to note that leaving your HVAC unit on the “on” position can slightly increase your energy bills. However, many homeowners believe it's a small price to pay for improved cooling and air distribution.

2. Enhance Your Home’s Insulation

Insulation doesn’t just keep warm air in your home when winter temperatures set it. It also helps your residence retain cool air during the dog days of summer. If your home has trouble maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature, or your system doesn’t distribute cool air evenly, you might want to improve your insulation.

Enhancing your home’s insulation will keep cool air inside while preventing hot air from entering your home. It can make your home more comfortable while potentially reducing your energy bills. 

If you have a multiple-story home, adding insulation to your attic will help the upstairs retain cool air, helping it stay the same temperature as the downstairs. Upstairs areas typically have more trouble maintaining comfortable temperatures than downstairs, so additional attic insulation can do wonders for your second story. 

Also, when shopping for residential insulation, try to find a variety with an exceptional R-value rating. The R-value describes the insulation’s quality, so try to find one with a decent rating.

To put it simply, the higher the R-Value, the better the installation.

3. Check Your Air Ducts for Leaks

Leaky air ducts can prevent cool air from reaching specific rooms, making them hotter than others. Fixing your air duct leaks can improve your home’s air distribution while taking stress off your HVAC unit. This can diminish your energy payments and make your home more comfortable.

Although you can check your home’s ductwork for leaks yourself, it’s best to leave it to a professional. HVAC specialists have vast experience examining air ducts and will repair every leak plaguing your ductwork.

4. Clean the Vents and Air Ducts

Since air ducts and vents play critical roles in distributing air, you want to keep them as clean as possible. Dust and debris accumulate in ductwork and along vents over time, restricting airflow. Cleaning your ducts and vents will give the air a clean channel to travel, helping your HVAC system distribute air evenly.

Cleaning your air ducts and vents will also improve your indoor air quality by removing dust, pollen, and other contaminants. Your family may experience fewer allergies as a result. 

5. Add HVAC Zones to Your Home

Sometimes adding a zoning system to your home can improve air distribution. It gives you more control over your residence’s interior climate, enabling you to direct cool air to one room and not another. Just contact your local heating and cooling company and they will set up new HVAC zones in your home for a modest fee.

HVAC zones are terrific for families with different temperature preferences. A family member can set their room to their desired temperature while you keep your room at your preferred climate, eliminating arguments over your home’s indoor temperature. 

Contact Fast Air Repair for All Your Heating and Cooling Needs in Reddick, FL

If you experience uneven cooling in your house, contact the HVAC experts at Fast Air Repair. Our technicians will resolve your air distribution issue so you can enjoy comfortable, cool air throughout Florida’s scorching summer season. Whether you need a new AC unit or routine HVAC maintenance, Fast Air Repair is here for all your heating and cooling needs.

Give Fast Air Repair a call at 352-290-7968 and receive first-class heating and cooling services in Reddick, FL, today!