Can Improper Duct Work Overheat The Hvac Heater Core

A man is repairing an HVAC duct for better performance
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: November 3, 2022
  • Updated On: August 21, 2023

Your home has at least one inefficiently heated or cooled room, no matter what you do. While the temperature in your living room may be just right, the air in your upstairs bedroom is cold. Although you are paying for central air, it is inconvenient and uncomfortable.

A temperature imbalance might be annoying, but it could also indicate something more serious. Instead of turning up your thermostat or operating your system harder than necessary, think about the root of the issue.

Reasons For Improper Duct Work That Causes Overheat

Inefficient Ductwork

The hot or cold areas in one or more of your home’s rooms may result from inefficient ductwork. Either the ductwork is too small, or it has leaks. Airflow is hampered by ducting that is too small for your house.

An expert can examine your ducting to check for inappropriate sizing. Airflow in the house is also impacted by leaky ducting. For stable temperatures, especially when heating or cooling rooms that are further from the interior air handler, properly sized and sealed ducting is crucial.

The evaporator coils in your system may freeze up during the colder months without ventilation. The reverse issue arises during the hotter months: your system may overheat and fail early.

Closed Vents

Vents are an obvious suspect if there are hot or cold patches on your body. The room where the vents are closed won’t get any airflow if they are closed. Devoid any obstruction; air vents and registers should always be left open.

Therefore, look around your home for any draperies, rugs, or furniture that might unintentionally be covering your vents. Leaks can prevent airflow in ducts. Airflow throughout the home might be impacted by even tiny leaks from ducts that aren’t properly insulated.

Improper Insulation

Maintaining heat or cold in your home’s poorly insulated rooms can be challenging. It will take a lot of energy to operate your system for a long period and still not provide the appropriate level of comfort; therefore, doing this is a waste of energy.

If your home is not insulated, a professional can identify this and offer solutions. Older homes tend to have less effective insulation. Check your home’s insulation to see if it is adequate, and learn some basic home insulation advice.

Excessive Number Of Windows In Rooms

Most often, windows lose heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. A room will experience summer heat and winter cold more readily if it has several windows. Your system will have to operate

more in a hotter environment. When you need heat the most, windows that aren’t adequately sealed let it out. An expert can find any window in your house that has air leaks. A further way to reduce energy costs and add flair to a room with windows is to add blinds and shades.

It’s also important to think about window curtains for the outdoors.

Increase In Heat Or Temperature In Each Room

The upstairs and downstairs of a conventional two-story house are often different temperatures. To explain why the upstairs rooms are warmer than the downstairs ones, heat naturally travels from lower to higher levels.

The finest temperature control occurs in the spaces where the thermostats are placed. It will be more difficult to control rooms that are distant from the thermostat. When a thermostat is set, the appliance will operate until the room where it is located at the desired temperature.

There is no way to determine whether the temperature in the room across the hall was also attained.

How To Fix Duct Overheating Duct Work?

Improve Insulation

It’s always advised to upgrade your home’s insulation, regardless of temperature imbalances. A home with better insulation will have fewer leaks and be less affected by the outside temperature. Thanks to room zoning systems, you may regulate the temperature separately using thermostats on each floor.

These thermostats are wired to interact with dampers put inside your ducting and control panels all over your house. Depending on how each thermostat is configured, the dampers are ordered to open and close automatically.

Add Multiple HVAC Systems

You could need to install a second HVAC system or completely replace your current one if the ductwork or HVAC system isn’t the right size for your house. This is your most expensive alternative, but it can provide you better control over various floors and in truly dire situations, it can be your only choice.

If this is the best action, we advise having an expert evaluate your system.

Improve Your Installed Vents

Another choice is installing a Smart vent system if you like to handle things independently. The dampers in conventional zoning systems are analogous to smart vents in that they allow you to adjust the vent registers in particular rooms.

At a fraction of the expense of installing a conventional zoning system or a second HVAC, smart vents and a smart thermostat may produce a comprehensive heating solution that intelligently assesses your needs.

Conclusion

Many different things might produce temperature imbalances. Fortunately, there are a lot of solutions available. Whatever the cause—environmental, systemic, or both—the best solution for you will rely on it.

For the best remedy for your house, do an energy audit to identify the cause of your imbalance.

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Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

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