Top 5 Causes of Uneven Home Cooling and How to Fix Them

During summertime in Grants Pass, it’s normal to experience uneven cooling, especially when the summer is extra hot. For local homeowners, this leads to inefficient energy usage and incredible discomfort. Fortunately, there are key steps you can take to resolve this performance issue.

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a finely tuned machine that ensures cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. If you’re experiencing uneven cooling in your home, you may need air balancing in your HVAC unit. 

Schedule an air conditioning repair in Grants Pass to improve your AC performance.

1. Blocked or Leaky Air Ducts

Why is my AC not cooling evenly? The problem might not be in your AC at all. Instead, the hidden culprit may be lurking in your ductwork.

Leaky ducts can lose 25% to 40% of the energy that goes through them. When this happens, your AC has to work extra to cool or heat additional air. As a result, you can end up spending significantly more on energy costs. Worse still, your family has to deal with uneven cooling.

Duct leaks can be as small as a pinhole, making them difficult to detect with the naked eye. They often occur over time, although immediate leaks can occur because of a mechanical failure or a rodent. 

Besides leak issues, your HVAC system can develop problems with blocked ducts. Damage, dirt buildup, rodent nests, or closed dampers can all block airflow. Any blockage causes your system to work harder, reducing efficiency and increasing the cost of repairs. 

In between HVAC maintenance appointments, there are a few things you can do to check for leaky or blocked ducts. The following are just a few of the most frequent systems to pay attention to.

• Higher Energy Bills: Duct issues make your AC work harder, which causes higher energy bills.
• Whistling Noises: If you notice a whistling or rattling noise, it may be because your duct is blocked.
• Uneven Airflow: Blockages and leaks can reduce the amount of air getting to different vents.
• Visible Dust: When you have a leaky duct, the leaks can pull dust and debris into your ductwork. Eventually, this dust finds its way into your rooms.
• Moldy Smells: If you smell mold, it may be because leaks are letting moisture into your ductwork and causing mold to grow.

If you think that you may have a leaky or blocked duct in your home, schedule air conditioning maintenance and repairs today. During our inspection, we can determine the underlying cause. Thanks to our fully stocked trucks, we can quickly perform ductwork repairs in Grants Pass so that you can enjoy a cooler, more comfortable home.

2. Clogged Air Filters

The main purpose of your air filters is to trap airborne contaminants, such as pollen, dirt, and dust. This helps to protect your air conditioner from dirt, allowing it to function more efficiently. 

Most manufacturers recommend that you change or clean your air filters every one to three months. If you don’t, the air filter will eventually become clogged and restrict airflow.

Over the long run, clogged air filters can increase the likelihood of dirty evaporator coils and a frozen AC. Eventually, you’ll have to pay to fix avoidable repairs.

Luckily, this is a relatively easy problem to repair. Using the manufacturer’s guide for your air conditioner, you simply need to replace or clean the filter. You can also schedule AC maintenance if you want extra support with improving your unit’s airflow.

3. Improperly Sized AC Unit

When it comes to new AC installations and HVAC zoning in Grants Pass, it’s important to calculate an accurate AC size. When the AC is too small for your home’s size, it has to run constantly to achieve the same temperature level. Over time, this constant operation leads to more wear and potential system failures.” 

Similarly, an oversized air conditioner will have more frequent repairs and performance issues. An overly large unit will reach the appropriate temperature too quickly. This causes it to shut off too fast. As soon as the temperature warms up slightly, it turns on again in a process known as short cycling. In addition to causing unnecessary wear, an oversized AC can leave your home feeling clammy because the right temperature is reached before the HVAC unit has a chance to adjust the humidity completely. 

With a Manual J calculation, one of our HVAC technicians will determine the unit size you need. This calculation looks at the surface area of your home, the ceiling height, occupants, exterior doors, and windows. Then, these figures are used to determine the exact number of British Thermal Units (BTUs) your home will need.

Often, older homes need their load calculation redone. Similarly, any remodeling or additions may increase the capacity you need, making it necessary to perform a new calculation.

To solve the uneven cooling of your home, reach out to our team of HVAC experts. We’ll perform your HVAC load calculation and determine whether you need to upgrade your system.

4. Thermostat Placement or Malfunction

Are you wondering, “Why is my AC not cooling evenly?” In some cases, the answer to this question is related to your thermostat. 

Your thermostat sensors are responsible for detecting the temperature of the air in your home. Then, the thermostat triggers the HVAC system to switch on if a temperature adjustment is needed. If any step in this process malfunctions, it can lead to uneven cooling. 

For example, thermostats are sometimes placed near windows or vents. While vents cool the thermostat to a lower temperature than the rest of the room, a sunny window will do the opposite. In either case, the thermostat’s sensor will pick up and relay an inaccurate reading.

There are a few options you can use to fix the problem. The first is to schedule AC repair in Grants Pass. During the repair appointment, one of the technicians from Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling, & Electrical will recalibrate or reposition your thermostat.

Over the long run, a smart thermostat is a more effective solution. Smart and programmable thermostats are known for achieving a higher level of temperature control and energy efficiency. They can learn your temperature preferences, maximizing your home’s energy savings and your personal comfort. In fact, the Department of Energy reports that using a programmable thermostat to change your temperature 7° to 10°F for just eight hours a day will lower your heating and cooling costs by 10% per year.

5. Single-Zone System in a Multi-Level Home

Whether you need help with air balancing in HVAC systems or AC maintenance, Rogue Valley is here to help. Our team will quickly diagnose the underlying reason why your HVAC system is cooling unevenly. In some cases, the issue is related to the actual home.

When you have a large home or a multi-story property, one thermostat may simply be an ineffective option. Drafty windows cause some rooms to be colder. Spaces on the south or southeast side of your house tend to be warmer because of the extra sunshine. With so many different environments and features to consider, it’s impossible to set a single thermostat and get the exact same temperature in every room. 

The answer to this problem is a zoning system. A zone control system uses dampers to block the flow of conditioned air into different rooms. If the room needs to cool down, the damper opens to allow cold air in. Alternatively, the damper can be shut to let a chilly room warm up. 

Zone control systems can be installed so that you can control individual zones in your home using separate thermostats. Besides improving your comfort and energy efficiency, HVAC zoning in Grants Pass can lower your energy bills each month.

We can also install ductless mini-splits if you want to cool separate areas. These are essentially separate heat pumps that can be placed in different zones, such as in your home office or mother-in-law suite. Then, you can adjust each individual unit as needed.

Bonus Tip – Fix Poor Home Insulation 

If you want to improve the cooling in your home, you may want to rethink your home’s insulation. Insulation prevents heat transfer. While insulation helps to keep heat in your home during the winter, it stops heat from entering your rooms during the summer. Because of this, good insulation can greatly improve your home’s temperature consistency.

To see if this is the problem, try checking out the attics, doors, and windows in your home. Attic spaces, especially in older homes, are often not insulated particularly well. As the attic heats up, it causes the rest of your home to warm up as well. 

According to Energy Trust of Oregon, 9 out of 10 homes aren’t insulated properly. Typically, an Oregon home should have the following R-values for the following insulation locations.

• Floors: R-30
• Ceilings: R-49
• Walls: R-15 (Below Grade) and R-21 (Above Grade)

Your windows and doors can be a source of air drafts if they haven’t been sealed properly. Try standing or sitting next to each window and door in your home. If you feel a slight breeze, something isn’t sealed properly. You can try caulking around the door or window to prevent the draft from allowing heat to get inside.

When To Call a Professional HVAC Technician in Grants Pass

Unless you’ve handled air balancing in HVAC units, figuring out how to diagnose and repair AC issues can be challenging. With the help of an experienced HVAC technician, you can get immediate AC repairs in Grants Pass. As a general rule, we recommend calling a professional HVAC technician in the following circumstances.

• Weak Airflow: If the airflow is weaker than normal, you may need professional help. Duct issues or more serious mechanical problems could be responsible. 
• Persistent Hot or Cool Spots: Hot and cold spots in your home are signs that something is wrong with your HVAC system. When in doubt, call in the professionals.
• Leaky or Blocked Ducts: At Rogue Valley, we have specialized tools and equipment for finding pinhole leaks in your ductwork. Once we’ve found those leaks, we can repair them or replace the entire section of ductwork.
• Lack of Improvement: No matter what the problem is, you should reach out for help if the situation doesn’t improve right away. Minor problems tend to escalate over the long run if they aren’t appropriately dealt with. 
• Frequent AC Cycling: While it might not immediately affect your AC performance or energy bills, frequent AC cycling will eventually lead to problems. This type of short cycling causes added wear, leading to unexpected breakdowns, costly repairs, and premature AC replacements. 
• Unusually High Energy Bills: One hidden sign that you are having an AC problem is your energy bill. Malfunctions force the air conditioner to work harder, which can drive up the amount of energy your home uses each month.
• Ineffective Maintenance: If changing the air filter and performing your routine maintenance didn’t help, it may mean that something serious is wrong with your AC. 

When the summer sun starts to beat down, your family needs a high-functioning AC to stay cool. If you experience any of the previous problems, it’s a sign that you need expert help with diagnosing the underlying malfunction.

Once one of our technicians has come to your home, they can quickly inspect your AC and recommend the best repairs. We can also help with air balancing in HVAC systems, routine AC maintenance, and air conditioner replacements. No matter what is causing the uneven cooling in your home, our experienced HVAC technicians can solve the problem. 

Schedule your AC repairs today to learn more about how we can help.

Schedule Your AC Maintenance and Repairs Today

Before the next heat wave arrives, it’s important to take care of uneven cooling in your home. Through routine AC maintenance and inspections, you can prevent malfunctions and spot minor issues before they spiral out of control. From replacing air filters to clearing blocked ducts, the right maintenance can improve your energy efficiency and prevent uneven cooling in your home. 

Call 541-204-0966 to get a free estimate on your repairs.