Why is it that different rooms controlled by the same AC unit can have drastically different temperatures?

Question

The office next door to mine is controlled by the same thermostat. It's always hot there and extremely cold in mine. The only time it's comfortable in their office is when the thermostat is set at 65 degrees. In my office it feels like 55 degrees. How can this be?

Answer 1

The ducting is not balanced. You are getting more airflow. If possible you might put a filter in the vent. That would restrict the airflow a little and even add a little filtering to your air. It would also help drive a bit of the air to other office.  The filter doesn't even have to fit well to help.

Good Luck.  

Answer 2

Many possible reasons. More airflow to your office than theirs, more heat producing equipment in theirs, more sunshine on their office, more windows in their office, etc.

Answer 3

They have dampers located in the ductwork.Basically a  piece of sheet metal that opens and closes inside of the duct.It has a small motor or actuator that is regulated by a signal from the contoller.(temp&cfm)

They do malfunction but more than likely, the majority of the time is a controller issue.It is not set up or programmed correctly.

Answer 4

Air flow in the duct work is not balanced for temperature.

  My wife worked in a mall that had a similar problem.. When they replaced the AC unit, they fixed it. Seems her thermostat was in the wrong unit.  

Answer 5

the thermostat must be put in a strategic place..when the area where the thermostat is located reaches the cut on/off temperature it will cut off..it sounds like you have one of the first ducts from the ac routed to your office and the other offices duct is further away from yours...Thus Your getting a stronger air flow and volume than the ducts in thier office further away...So by the time thiers reaches 65 degrees to cut off your office has received more air and cooling..so your office is colder..65 degrees is awful low temperature for a ac..most people keep thiers around 72..

Answer 6

heat load, returns, equipment in the space, people in the space, air flow into the room, glass windows in the space, walls in the space, renovations after a/c was installed, dampers not working right, loose duct work, It is a piece of equipment and needs to have a pro look at it to give you the right answer!