It’s a hot summer day, and your AC is blasting—but while the living room feels like a walk-in freezer, the upstairs bedroom still feels stuffy and warm. Sound familiar? Uneven cooling is one of the most common frustrations for homeowners, often indicating that something isn’t working as efficiently—or as evenly—as it should.
Here are the most likely culprits behind uneven temperatures in your home, along with how ServiceOne can help resolve the issue.
1. Ductwork Problems
One of the first things HVAC pros look at when diagnosing uneven cooling is your ductwork. Leaks, blockages, or disconnected ducts can prevent conditioned air from reaching certain rooms. In many cases, the cooled air escapes into walls, attics, or crawl spaces instead of reaching the areas that need it.
Poorly insulated ducts can also let cold air warm up before it reaches your vents, especially in unconditioned spaces. The result? A system that works harder and less efficiently.
The Fix:
Have a licensed HVAC technician inspect your ductwork for leaks or obstructions. Sealing leaks and re-insulating ducts can dramatically improve airflow and comfort across your entire home.
2. Zoning Problems
Every home has different airflow needs from room to room. A sunny upstairs bedroom may require more cooling than a shaded basement. However, a single-zone HVAC system treats your entire home as a single unit—delivering the same amount of cooling regardless of each room’s unique needs.
If your home has inconsistent usage (like guest rooms or offices that sit empty), you’re likely cooling rooms that don’t need it and undercooling the ones that do.
The Fix:
Zoning systems divide your home into separate temperature-controlled areas using dampers and individual thermostats. This gives you targeted control over specific rooms or floors, helping eliminate hot and cold spots and improve energy efficiency.
3. Improper System Sizing
It might sound counterintuitive, but a bigger AC isn’t always better. An oversized unit may cool your home too quickly without running long enough to remove humidity, which can make rooms feel clammy and uneven. On the other hand, an undersized system may struggle to cool your entire home at all, especially in extreme heat.
The Fix:
A professional HVAC load calculation considers your home’s size, layout, insulation, and sun exposure to determine the right system size. If your current AC isn’t properly matched to your space, upgrading to the right capacity can significantly improve comfort and efficiency.
Don’t Sweat the Hot Spots—Call ServiceOne
If your AC system is leaving parts of your home too warm (or too cold), it’s time to stop guessing and get expert help. The licensed HVAC professionals at ServiceOne serve homeowners in Omaha, Dubuque, and surrounding areas with trusted AC repair, ductwork inspection, zoning solutions, and system upgrades.
Let’s get your whole home cool and comfortable—no matter the season. Schedule a comfort consultation with ServiceOne today!