While tourists flock to our beautiful Clearwater-area beaches each spring, Florida homeowners know what’s coming: a summer that’s notorious for climbing temperatures, excess humidity and high energy bills. That’s the beauty of the modern HVAC system—which, when working properly, can keep you and your family comfortable indoors all season long.
However, Florida homeowners often experience a hot house or one room that feels hotter than the rest. The good news is, there’s usually a reason behind this problem and something you can do about it.
Read on to uncover the common culprits for uneven home temperatures and solutions to fix it. Not sure where to start? Contact our team at Air Care today.
Dirty Air Filters
One of the most common reasons your home temperatures may be uneven from room to room is a clogged air filter, which is also the easiest fix.
Air filters are designed to prevent dirt, dust and debris from entering your HVAC system. When your filters are not changed regularly, unwanted particles can enter your AC system and circulate throughout your home—which means the air isn’t as clean and can consequently affect the airflow.
Has it been a while since you changed your air filter? Be sure to check yours at least every 30 days and replace it regularly to avoid a clogged filter and inconsistent temperatures in your home.
Blocked Air Vents
Several other factors can impede air flow in your home, too. When you turn your AC on, do you hear air blowing out of your vents? These are your supply vents, which are located on your ceiling and deliver cooled air into each room of your house.
When air supply vents are closed or blocked, it can cause inadequate air flow in one or multiple rooms of your house. Take time to check that your air vents in each room are open and unblocked by furniture or décor. Then, ensure the vent blades are set at an angle versus pointing directly down, which discourages air flow and can cause uneven temperatures throughout your room.
Insufficient Return Vents
Usually located near or on the floor, return air vents help your AC system pull in warm, humid air out of each room to be cooled and delivered back into your home. Return air vents also help your system maintain the proper air pressure.
If it feels like certain rooms aren’t getting enough cool air, you may not have enough return air vents to cool your home. Contact Air Care today to find a solution.
Damaged Air Ducts
Another common culprit of uneven air is your AC ductwork, an important component for cooling and conditioning your home.
The duct system carries air from your AC unit to each room. If air ducts are disconnected, damaged or poorly sealed, conditioned air could be leaking into your attic or other unnecessary spaces, and cause your energy costs to soar.
If you suspect this may be an issue, consider completing a Duke Home Energy Check to see if duct testing and repair is right for you—you could be eligible for up to $200 back.
Contact our team at Air Care today with questions.
AC Short Cycling
When air has too much moisture in it, it may feel warmer than it actually is. Several factors can contribute an increase in indoor humidity, including short cycling, air leaks and improper insulation.
Do you ever wonder why your AC unit kicks on and off throughout the day? When your AC system is on, it goes through several cycles to cool the air and reach a desired temperature. Short cycling occurs when the cooling process is too quick, which can cause your system to shut on and off throughout the day and improperly cool your home.
Short cycling can be caused by low refrigerant levels, an oversized AC system, frozen or dirty evaporator coils, or even a clogged air filter. Reach out to our team at Air Care to schedule a maintenance appointment, and we’ll work to repair it.
Air Leaks
You can have the best AC system in the world, but if your doors and windows have leaks, cracks or gaps, cooled air can escape from your home and warm air can creep in during the summer months.
There are a few simple solutions to prevent air leaks. The more cost-effective route is to find the places air is leaking in and out, and then seal the leaks with caulk or install weather stripping. It’s a relatively low cost of $0.50 to $2.50 per linear foot.
Another option is to replace your older doors or windows with new, energy-efficient options—whether one at a time or the whole house.
Old Doors and Windows
Older doors and windows are infamous for causing air to escape in and out of your home.
Insulated doors are much more energy efficient than wooden ones and come with magnetic weatherstripping. While a typical new door can cost you upwards of $200, it can save you money on your energy bill each month and make your home more comfortable year-round.
New, energy-efficient windows help prevent solar heat gain, which can cause your HVAC system to overwork itself to cool your home. Consider replacing your windows one-by-one or all-at-once, depending on your home improvement budget. Duke Energy offers a rebate for single-family qualifying homes, up to $400, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a credit on energy-efficient windows and doors for certain qualifying homes and individuals.
Older windows also lack a protective UV coating that prevents direct sunlight from heating up your home. According to the Department of Energy, window coverings can also reduce heat by 77%, while lowering your energy bills. To help block out the Florida sun and heat, consider installing energy-efficient window treatments—like blinds, shutters, curtains or window films. You can even add an awning or shade-providing trees outside your home.
Attic Insulation
During the summer months, warm air from your attic or garage tries to make its way inside your home. Attic insulation helps limits this air movement, preventing heat from escaping from one place to the next.
Insulation breaks down over time, and scarce or uneven attic insulation can make your home vulnerable to heat finding its way inside. Consider completing a Duke Home Energy Check to determine if you need an insulation upgrade—you could be eligible for up to $800 back.
Home Additions or Florida Sunrooms
When your home was built, your HVAC system and ductwork was fitted for your space. If you or a previous homeowner added onto your home but did not adjust the ductwork or size of your AC unit, you likely experience inadequate airflow. Home additions usually require a window or ductless, mini-split AC unit or an adjustment to your ductwork to properly cool the room. Our team at Air Care can help you determine the best solution.
Florida sunrooms were popular home additions in the 1960s and 70s, but these rooms become hot in the summer months, since its large windows let in more light. A sunroom’s proximity to the garage or back of the home often lets in warmer air, too. Consider adding window treatments, awnings or shaded trees around your large windows to help control the heat in your home, or similar to an addition, a ductless, mini-split AC unit.
Electronics and Appliances
Florida homeowners often complain that their kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or home office is too warm—and sometimes, it has nothing to do with the HVAC system or air flow.
Cooking or running your dishwasher are major sources of heat and can make your kitchen feel hotter in the summer. Try using only the stovetop and turn on your exhaust fan or ventilation hood to remove heat from the space.
Other household activities, like doing the laundry or bathing, can also affect the temperature of your home. Wash your laundry on the cold setting in the early morning or evenings and consider bathing with reduced temperatures during the same times of day. Both activities can benefit from spot ventilation, an energy-efficient way to remove indoor air pollution and moisture from your room.
When you’re not using electronics or appliances, be sure to turn off or even unplug devices when not in use. Believe it or not, these small changes can make a big difference in the temperature of your room.
Clearwater AC Company with Cooling Experience
With more than 30 years in the heating and cooling business, we know what it takes to cool your home this summer. Our team at Air Care is here to service all of your AC system needs, including maintenance, repairs and installations.
If you have questions about how to keep your house or rooms cool all season long, let us guide you through the process and help you make the best decision for you and your family. Contact Air Care today.
“My experience with Air Care was amazing! The technicians that came over were highly professional and efficient with their work. Thanks to Air Care, my air conditioning no longer has problems and my house has been cooler than ever! It was well worth the money. I recommend this company to anyone in need of a professional business with kind and efficient workers.” – Shiba
APPENDIX
- gov: Energy saver
- Duke Energy: Summer AC Energy Savings
- Duke Energy: Home Energy Improvements
- Reuters: Attic Insulation
