Do you have a room in your home that is far warmer than the rest of the house? Uneven temperatures in homes are a common (and frustrating) problem, especially during the warmer seasons. Your bedroom, home office, or upstairs loft might feel like a heat trap, but the reason behind it is often fixable, and many of the solutions don't cost a dime.
In this guide, we'll break down:
- Why one of your rooms is so much hotter than the others
- How to make a room colder without spending money
- When it's time to call a professional
What Causes a Room to be Hotter Than The Rest of The House?
Several factors can contribute to why one room is hotter than the others. Let's explore the most common reasons, with solutions to cool down the impacted rooms.
1. Sunlight Exposure
Rooms with large windows or that face the sun during peak hours can become significantly warmer because of solar heat gain.
Solution:
When you're wondering how to fix a hot room in your house, one of the easiest ways is to install . These help darken the room so it doesn't get too much sun exposure during hot parts of the day. You can also add reflective window films to windows to reduce heat entry. Using blinds or shades when it's hot outside can also help.
Tip: If you're building a new home or making some landscape upgrades, consider adding trees, bushes, or awnings in strategic locations around the exterior of your home. When placed near windows that receive the most direct sunlight, they will provide shade to reduce solar heat gain caused by sunlight exposure.
2. Blocked or Closed Air Vents
Furniture, rugs, or other obstructions can block air vents, restricting airflow and causing temperature imbalances. You may also have closed air vents around the house.
Closing vents can lead to an imbalance in your air duct system and potentially cause leaks due to increased pressure. It could also explain why a room is so cold during the winter, as heat can't come through a closed vent.
Solution: Rearrange furniture to ensure it doesn't cover air vents or block windows from allowing air circulation. Check the vents throughout the home and make sure they are all open. Also, if your HVAC system uses dampers, check that they are positioned to deliver air to the desired areas of your home.
3. Improperly Sized HVAC System
An HVAC system that's too large (oversized) will shut off too quickly. This sizing issue can explain why one room in the house is so cold or hot. A system that's too small (undersized) may struggle to achieve and maintain the desired temperature.
Solution: If your HVAC system is too large, consider using fans to move heated air from warmer rooms to the colder ones. If your HVAC system is insufficient, you may require a supplementary device (or a newer, bigger unit). If your present system isn't doing its job, call the pros at ARS for an HVAC repair or system upgrade.
Related Post: How to Troubleshoot an HVAC System Your Guide
4. Ductwork Issues
Leaky, damaged, or poorly insulated air ducts are often a contributing factor to hot or cold rooms in a home. Over time, ductwork can develop cracks, holes, or loose connections鈥攅specially in older homes or those with DIY renovations.
Solution: Inspect ductwork for leaks or damage. Listen for hissing or whistling sounds when your HVAC system is running. Sealing cracks with foil-backed tape (not duct tape) and insulating the ducts can improve airflow and temperature consistency. If you suspect the issue runs deeper, contact an HVAC professional to evaluate the ducts.
5. Thermostat Placement
A thermostat usually monitors the temperature of the specific zone in which it is located, not the temperature of the entire house. If your thermostat sits in a cooler area, it may shut off the system before warmer rooms receive adequate cooling.
Solution: Consider relocating the thermostat or installing a zoned HVAC system to better control temperatures in different areas. These changes allow your heating and AC system to work more efficiently. The best location for a thermostat is on an interior wall away from direct sunlight or natural light.
6. Clogged Air Filter
Your HVAC system relies on clean air for proper airflow. If the filter becomes too clogged with dust, dander, and debris, the blower has to work harder to push air through. The strain reduces airflow, which can lead to uneven temperatures, including cold and hot bedrooms throughout your home.
Solution: Check and change your air filter regularly. While the general recommendation is once a month, the ideal frequency depends on how many people live in the home, whether you have pets, if anyone smokes indoors, or if anyone in your home has allergies.
Related Post: Where Is My Furnace Filter Located?
7. No Ventilation
A hot room may have zero ventilation because no airflow is being created by an open window or purposely placed fans.
Solution: Check to see if you can open any windows to improve the airflow throughout the room, including street airflow if possible. If there are no open windows available, then strategically place fans around the room to circulate air and provide a nice breeze.
8. Electronics and Appliances
Computers, particularly those with high-end graphics cards, produce a lot of heat. In addition, television sets, lights and lamps, LED clocks, and other electronics generate heat.
Solution: Turn off electronics when not in use and consider relocating heat-generating devices away from frequently used areas. If you haven't already, replace your lamps and other lighting with LED bulbs, which produce less heat than older technologies.
9. Good and Poor Insulation
Insulation plays a significant role in how well your home regulates temperature, but it can work against you. If your home is newer or recently updated, high-performance insulation might trap heat in certain rooms, especially if airflow is restricted.
On the flip side, older homes or poorly insulated spaces may let in too much heat during summer and leak warm air in the winter, causing rooms to feel much hotter or colder than the rest of the house.
Solution: If your insulation is too effective and the weather outside is cooler, try opening doors and windows to release trapped heat and use fans to increase airflow. For under-insulated rooms, consider upgrading the insulation in walls, ceilings, or floors. Weatherstripping doors and windows can also prevent heat transfer.
10. Lack of Smart Home Integration
If you've had your heating and cooling system for years, you might not have access to the latest technology that can help you regulate your home's temperature without requiring a full replacement. Smart thermostats and sensors can detect temperature differences and adjust HVAC usage automatically.
Solution: Install a smart thermostat that allows you to create schedules, monitor usage, and control zones more efficiently. Some models can even learn your habits over time to optimize comfort and energy efficiency.
11. Multi-Level Home Design
In multi-story homes, it's common to experience temperature differences between floors. Hot air naturally rises, making the upper floors feel warmer than the rest. Basements or ground floors can feel too cold, especially if the airflow isn't balanced.
Solution: Adjust dampers (if your system has them) to direct more airflow to upper levels in summer and lower levels in winter. You can also partially close vents on cooler floors to redirect the air upstairs. For long-term comfort and precise temperature control, consider a zoned HVAC system with separate thermostats for each floor.
Additional Tips to Make a Room Colder
Use these additional tips to cool down your living space.
- Keep up with regular maintenance: Ensure your HVAC system undergoes regular maintenance to boost efficiency. You should also turn on your AC or heating system before it gets too hot or cold to ensure sufficient time to plan any repairs before you rely on it more heavily.
- Seal gaps: Check for and seal any gaps around windows and doors to prevent warm air infiltration.
- Use dehumidifiers: High humidity can make a room feel warmer. A dehumidifier can remove excess moisture, enhancing comfort.
- Install a mini-split system: This ductless AC unit is ideal for rooms that consistently feel too hot or are poorly serviced by the central cooling system. A mini-split system can provide efficient cooling exactly where you need it.
- Use ceiling fans strategically: Ceiling fans don't lower a room's temperature, but they make everyone feel cooler by circulating air. For best results, use them at night when the sun isn't adding heat. Make sure the fan is spinning counterclockwise in summer to push cool air down.
We also recommend learning how your air conditioner works, including the system parts. This knowledge can help you determine what to do if there is a strange smell, how to recognize a Freon leak, or perform some troubleshooting to maximize your AC usage.
When to Seek Professional Help from ARS
If you've tried these solutions and your room remains uncomfortably hot, it may be time to consult a professional. ARS can assist you if your heating and air conditioning system isn't operating properly, especially if one room is hotter than the others. Our experienced technicians can help you with any cooling challenges that may be present in your home.
Find your nearest location, or give us a call to schedule a professional HVAC evaluation appointment.
