They taped and took off cap
One room just doesn’t cool like the rest of the house
by
Maegirl
+14
One room doesn't cool like the rest of the house. Running two fans (cieling and standalone) and on hot days this room is hard to sleep in because it gets soo hot.
Few details:
*A/C is less than 3 years old
*Room is smallest (10.5x11 - 9ft high celing)
*told it is closest room to attic furnace
*other side of one wall is the garage
*told A/C system is appropriate for size of house
*Registers are all the way open (until recently-see below)
*A/C filter changed regularly
*6" duct in this room (primary bedroom has 8")
Builder's HVAC contractor visited and believes the solutions are:
1. close the registers 1/2 way in 3 other rooms to increase flow in the problem room (most likely there will be temp issues in more places if I leave that way - primary bedroom, dining nook & kitchen)
2. keep problem bedroom's door cracked open at all times (most people shut their bedroom door)
3. Only use the cheapest A/C air filters and change monthly. Use these vs the upgraded ones I've installed to help catch dust, etc, as the better ones will "restrict intake too much and will hurt motor" (nevermind allergies and other airborne concerns). Note that initially, their cheaper filter was installed and the problem in the bedroom existed then as well.
To add to this, they discovered the furnace in the attic had a lot of drainage (leak?) and said they fixed the issue. I asked them to take pic, see attached:
1. They taped area (black tape in pic)
2. They removed and left cap off (cap was were the treads show in same picture). Said they recently discovered the unit drains better without cap.
Note that I am not the only homeowner in my home development that has the temp issue in same room.
Are there any who have worked with or experienced this type of issue that can share their knowledge and suggestions? Your replies will be very much appreciated.
Thank you
A/C Filter recommended
I would get a second opinion. If several of you are having the same problem, you should work together to insist the issue be corrected by the builder.
Insulation is the only other thing that I can think of that you might upgrade.
On another note, regarding the filters, the HVAC person who replaced my unit at our home as well as the one (different company) who installed the unit at our farm said you should use the less dense filters and change monthly. Ace Hardware, store brand, gets my recommendation.
here is info to help you
here is some info to help you out
https://www.hannabery.com/faq10.shtml#:~:text=If%20some%20rooms%20are%20warmer,so%20they%20all%20even%20out.&text=If%20a%20room%20is%20heating,more%20air%20to%20other%20areas.
https://minnicks.com/learning-center/energy-efficiency/why-are-some-rooms-in-my-house-colder-or-warmer-than-others/
First photo is just the drain for the condensation from the AC coil. Don't know why a cap was put on it. Wall insulation on the garage side would help. I would use foam board insulation. Spray foam for any cracks, spaces, or openings. Check to make sure the return vent in the room is not blocked and grill is clean. Every room, except bathrooms, have supply and return registers. Since the main unit is in the attic check to make sure the supply and return duct are connected, not crushed, and any connections are taped with foil tape. You may need to have the 6" duct changed to an 8" or add another 6" duct.
Is your garage insulated in the walls/ceiling?
Is it cooled by A/C during hot weather?
How hot does the garage get compared with the small room in question?
Some HVAC companies do things differently. I assume the cap was put to prevent overflow in case the drain line got plugged since the unit is in the attic but it isn't needed and does restrict the flow of the condensate from draining. I have never done that. Yes, taping around the drain lines is correct. Any little opening or gap will suck air in from where the unit is located when it's running. Attics get really hot in the summer and hot air mixing with cold air will cause the unit run longer since the house won't cool down enough to shut down. And vice versa in the winter. Is the air flow in the room from the register as strong as some of the other rooms? Did you check to make sure the return grill is clear and not blocked so air can return to the unit?
You do have a point on how the duct to the room is structured. It may be the closest to the unit but if the duct to it is too long off the main trunk, or has bends or elbows, those are restrictions. Every elbow or bend is basically equal to 10' of straight run. If they had to close three registers half way to get the air flow better then there is a problem with the duct to that room. I agree in getting another company to check the system out. They may provide a solution. A long run can be shortened if possible. A straighter direct run using 45 degree elbows in place of 90 degree elbows, if that is a problem, would be less restriction. If the duct to the room is flexible corrugated foil faced replacing with rigid sheet metal pipe could solve the problem. If the duct is flexible corrugated any drop along it's span can cause a restriction. Final recourse would be to add another 6" duct run and supply register in the room. Return should be sufficient.
Since the room is next to the garage and neighbors are having the same issue with the same room configuration, you might try insulating that shared wall. Stands to reason if that particular room is warmer than the others, the garage isn't insulated. I'd personally try that first before getting more involved with the HVAC system.