What Should I Do if the Upper Floor of My House is Too Hot?

Uneven cooling, where some rooms are much hotter than others, is a common problem with central air. Heat rises, and in two-story homes without central air, the upper level is often much warmer than the lower level. But a well-designed cooling system should overcome this. If you discover uneven cooling in your home over the summer then you might need air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA. Here are some things to check first:

Check for Blocked Vents

Blocked or dirty vents can contribute to uneven cooling. So the first thing you want to do is check to make sure all of the vents are open and blowing cold air. If a vent is clogged with dust or debris, use a vacuum to clear away what you can. You can also partially close vents in certain areas of your home that do not require excess cooling. This will redirect some of the cool air to the second level. But don’t block off vents completely, because this can lead to pressure build-up in the system.

Clean Your Ducts

Another similar problem is blocked or dirty ducts. You can try to clean them out with a vacuum hose, but it will only reach so far. A better option is to contact an HVAC professional for duct cleaning so they can remove debris. You might be surprised how much dust, dirt, mold, and garbage has accumulated over the years.

Check for Air Leaks

Another thing to check for is leaky ducts. There might a place where cold air is escaping the system before it can reach the upper levels of the home. This can happen at loose duct connections or kinks in flexible ducts. Unfortunately, a leaky duct isn’t always easy to spot. You may want to call for air conditioning repair as soon as possible.

Replace Air Filters

Sometimes uneven cooling is the result of restricted airflow because of clogged filters. Regularly changing the filters, especially during peak seasons, will help the HVAC system run more efficiently and keep the temperatures even throughout the home.

Add Attic Insulation

The upper rooms of your home might be the result of insufficient attic insulation. The attic is often the warmest space in the home because heat rises but can also come through the roofing. Adding insulation will help do a better job of keeping the cool air inside and the warm air outside.

Zone Control

Zone control is another option. While it is more expensive up front, it can be more efficient in the long run. A zoning system allows you to control temperatures in individual areas of the home instead of cooling the entire house. If you are interested there are different configurations you can ask an HVAC technician about.

If you have uneven cooling and want to get air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA do not wait too long. Contact Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning.