Causes Of Uneven Cooling With A Zoned Ducted Air Conditioning System
Posted on: 23 July 2021
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Zoned air conditioning systems allow users to control the temperatures in each zone. This feature increases indoor comfort, reduces cooling bills, and gives users more control over the entire system. However, like conventional central air systems, zoned ACs may also have issues with even cooling. Some rooms may get cooler than others, even after you have adjusted the individual thermostats. Below are three potential causes of uneven cooling with your zoned ducted AC system.
Faulty Thermostat or Sensor
Each zone has an individual thermostat used to regulate the temperatures in the space. If one zone isn't cooling like the rest, the first thing to check is the thermostat and input sensors. Is the thermostat working? If not, check the batteries and replace them. Also, make sure that the temperature reading on the thermostat is your desired setting.
If the thermostat is working, check the input sensor to see whether it has tripped. Input sensors record the temperature of the air in a room. If they trip or record false temperatures, they can affect cooling in the zone. Ensure that the AC sensors aren't installed in the path of direct sunlight, as this can cause them to record false readings.
Malfunctioned Zone Board
A zoned air conditioning system has a control panel or zone board, which is the central controller for the various zones. Once you set the thermostats for the different zones, the control panel automatically opens and shuts dampers to block or release cold air as needed. If the control panel malfunctions, it may fail to operate the dampers in the zones. As a result, some rooms won't receive cool air, even after setting the thermostats.
Although control panel malfunctions are rare, they can occur due to improper wiring or inadequate power. Before installing a new control panel, your contractor should make sure that the board has the correct wiring. Also, avoid using a shared circuit for your air conditioning system. Instead, set up a dedicated circuit to prevent power issues and malfunctions.
Faulty Zone Dampers
Zone dampers are used all over the ductwork to regulate the flow of air into the zones. When the dampers are open, they allow cool air into the room. When you close the dampers, cool air doesn't flow into the zone. If the dampers are clogged with dirt or have no lubrication, they may fail to work correctly.
Dirt restricts airflow, while inadequate lubrication prevents the dampers from opening and closing as they should. Consequently, the affected zone may not receive adequate cool air. Therefore, check the zone dampers for clogs and mechanical issues, and fix them to restore proper airflow into the zones.
Uneven cooling in a zoned AC system could be due to one or more of these reasons. Contact your air conditioning contractor for more information.