Ever walk into a room in your house and feel like you hit a wall of heat? If your AC is working in other parts of the home, but some places feel much hotter, you’ve got yourself a hot spot. According to HVAC expert Ray Brosnan, they can happen for a variety of reasons, including direct sunlight, inadequate insulation, closed or blocked vents, and nearby appliances.
Luckily, there are some low-cost fixes for those hot zones in your home:
- Install the right curtains or blinds - If you have a room that gets lots of sunshine, consider putting up blinds, curtains or shades to reduce the heat. Light-colored window coverings with a reflective backing are especially effective, Brosnan says.
- Add insulation - If your hot spot stems from a lack of insulation, this expert says you can reduce heat transfer by reinforcing the rooms where you feel the most heat leaking in. That can include adding insulation to walls, attics and floors or using weather stripping for leaky doors and windows.
- Double check your airflow - The quickest and cheapest fix is making sure your vents aren’t closed or blocked. Check that vents and registers are open and unobstructed, so air can flow freely, and use fans and ceiling fans to improve circulation. Brosnan says you can also hire a professional HVAC tech to balance and adjust the air conditioning system to redirect more cool air to warmer rooms.
- Buy cooling accessories - Tired of sweaty sleep? Consider investing in a cooling comforter and sheets to make your bed less sweltering.
- Add smart vents - There are vents that claim to help “boost” your airflow with a fan. “These fans are designed to increase the airflow from a specific vent, typically in rooms that are not adequately cooled,” Brosnan explains. He says they may be helpful in certain situations, but they’re not usually as effective as addressing the underlying issue with the HVAC system or ductwork.
Source: Apartment Therapy
Scott's Thoughts:
- I guess these will work better than standing in front of the open freezer to cool off!
- I have this issue. It is freezing in the living room and hot in my bedroom!
- I feel I need to have covers even when it is warm.