Why Is My Room So Hot?

Is your room too hot? This common problem occurs because temperatures are out of sync with the settings. This results in the conditioned air being too hot (or too cold) for comfort.

Because energy for the home is one of the largest household expenses, a heating and cooling system must run effectively and efficiently. Otherwise, monthly energy bills can skyrocket. There are several ways to regulate the temperature of conditioned air. They range from simple changes — such as adding quality window treatments or purchasing a programmable thermostat — to more expensive changes, including sealing air ducts or replacing the HVAC system.

Air Ducts

The reason your room is so hot can likely be attributed to something causing the conditioned air to be affected before it goes to the designated area. One of the main reasons for this is the presence of leaks in the air ducts feeding the room. Leaking ducts waste energy and increase energy bills by allowing the air to seep into unconditioned spaces. This results in a direct change in the quality of a room’s temperature. Several things may cause air leaks:

• Improper installation
• Sections of the ductwork that are separated where they should be joined
• Holes and tears in ductwork that cause significant leakage

Separated ductwork, holes and tears can be repaired with heat-approved tape, such as foil or mastic. Hire a professional HVAC company to handle installation issues.

Regulating Temperatures

One option to regulate a rooms temperature is to close vents and doors to areas that are not used and concentrate on the rooms that are primarily in use. However, if your HVAC system is state-of-the-art and designed for ultimate efficiency and performance, closing too many outlets may cause an imbalance in the regulation of conditioned air. This results in the system not running at peak performance. Check your owner’s manual to determine if closing vents or doors to redirect air has an adverse effect on your particular system. If you use your bonus room for storage, make sure that you are not inadvertently blocking vents.

Smart Thermostat

An efficient and convenient way to control HVAC settings when you find your bonus room too hot is with a smartphone app. With the use of a digital wall control with Wi-Fi capabilities, your smartphone becomes a handy remote control. Some thermostats already on the market are programmable by the user for special sensing. Either option allows you to regulate the HVAC system when you’re away from your home.

Window Treatments

You may not think too much about the windows in your room, especially if you use it only occasionally. However, windows have a big impact on why your room may be too hot. Sunlight that streams relentlessly through windows can easily make the temperature in the room too hot. The solar rays counteract the thermostat and cause it to work harder in an effort to cool the room. During winter, air seeping in around windows and sliding doors creates the reverse temperature problem and causes a room to be uncomfortable. Window treatments can alleviate both of these seasonal issues. Consider one of these options to enhance your HVAC’s performance:

• Highly reflective window film
• Interior wood-slated or Roman fabric blinds
• Interior solid shades
• Exterior roller blinds
• Draperies with a white plastic back coating

To keep your HVAC system in tip-top condition, schedule an annual checkup with a professional company certified in installation, repair, and maintenance. Call Reliable Heating & Air to ensure a properly running system and eliminate problems before they happen.