Why Is My House Hot

Why is my house hot?

Have a room that just won’t keep cool? Does your home have a hard time reaching the set temperature? When your home won’t cool properly it can be frustrating (and money draining in some cases). It’s important to be able to recognize where the problem may be coming from and know what steps to take to remedy the problem. Your home is supposed to be a refuge from hot summer temperatures – you don’t want it to be uncomfortable. Here are some problems, what could be causing them and what steps you should take to correct the problem.

Have one room that is hotter than the others?

Potential problems:

• Animals on vents. Pets want to keep cool just as much as you do! What better way than to camp out on the vent? This can block the airflow to your room and keep temperatures hot.
  • Solution: Keep Fido away from the vent! Make sure you always shoo them from lying down there or add an obstacle that blocks access (without restricting airflow).

• Furniture on vents. Just like pets, furniture placed on a vent can restrict airflow and make a room hotter than it should be.
  • Solution: Rearrange your room so that no vents are blocked. You’ll see a drastic change immediately.

• Closed vents. Maybe your pet, a curious toddler, a foot, or more, shut the vent and cut off access to the cool air.
  • Solution: Just open those vents right back up! Closed vents can also restrict airflow and cause damage to your unit. Always keep those vents open.

• Is it a south-facing room? The sun can really warm up a room in the afternoon. If it’s a south-facing room, this could be the culprit.
  • Solution: There are several solutions to this problem. You can close curtains and blinds, plant a tree outside or you can invest in a zoning system that can keep this room set a a cooler temperature than the rest of the house.

• Ductwork. You could have a dirty or collapsed vent. You could also have a closed damper in your ductwork. This can block off access to cool air from the rest of the house.
  • Solution. This problem will require the expertise of your contractor. Make sure to call them out and see if there are any problems with your ducts. It’s a good idea to have your ductwork periodically examined and cleaned to maintain proper airflow and keep your air fresh.

  Does your whole home never reach temperature? Generally, when your whole home isn’t cooling it is an indication of a bigger problem. If your air conditioner is always running it can indicate a problem with the thermostat, the coil or another component of the system. For these problems, shut the unit off (having your unit constantly running without any results can cause damage to the unit) and call a qualified local professional. What are some other common no cooling questions you have?  

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