Cold Rooms? Nine Ways to Fix a Home That’s Heating Unevenly
Are some rooms in your home colder than others? Heating unevenly happens when some rooms feel comfortably warm while others are noticeably colder. Several culprits could be to blame for this heating problem. Here, we’ll help you learn what could be causing these temperature imbalances and show you how to solve the problem.
Something’s Blocking Your Home’s Vents
Your problem: Your furnace distributes warm air throughout your home using supply and return registers. If these are closed or shut, the restricted airflow creates hot and cold zones in your home.
How to fix it: Ensure all your home’s vents are clear of obstructions, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough heat. Next, check to make sure there aren’t any decor, carpets or curtains hindering airflow. If a room is too warm, make sure the registers in the other rooms are uncovered and feel like they are putting out the same amount of air. If a register is clear but not a lot of air is flowing from it, there may be a problem with a valve or the duct isn’t routing the air to the right place.
Your HVAC System Has a Dirty Air Filter
Your problem: Your furnace air filter traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles so that your air is clean. But a dirty filter filled with these particles can significantly reduce airflow, making your furnace work harder and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the system will be colder.
How to fix it: Inspect and change the furnace’s air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when your home’s heating system runs a lot.
There’s Not Enough Insulation in Your Home
Your problem: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to escape, especially from rooms nearest to outside walls or your attic. This makes these rooms challenging to keep as warm as you’d like, even when the rest of the home is nice and comfortable.
How to fix it: Shore up your attic insulation to stop heat from leaving your home. If the insulation in your home now is in good shape, you may be able to simply add more on top of it.
Drafty Doors and Windows Are Letting Cold Air In
Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, drafty doors are often to blame for letting cold air inside, putting a chill on the indoor temperature. This problem is most common in older homes, which commonly have windows and doors that don’t fit as snug as they should.
How to fix it: Prevent drafts in and around doors and windows with sealing tape or caulk. Thermal curtains and thermal blinds also help keep cold air out of your home. When these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, it may be time to look into replacing your windows and exterior doors.
Duct Leaks Are Letting Warm Air Out
Your problem: Ductwork transports heated air throughout your home. If there’s a hole, warm air can escape before it gets to some rooms of your home.
How to fix it: Hire an HVAC specialist like one of our team members at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your ductwork for leaks, which can usually be sealed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need duct replacement.
You Need to Move Your Thermostat
Your problem: The thermostat controls the heating system throughout your home. If it’s in a windy or unusually warm spot, it may give distorted readings, causing your HVAC system to run at the wrong times—and result in uneven temperatures.
How to fix it: If your thermostat is near a windy window or energy-producing appliance, think about relocating it. An HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to a more central location where it can more accurately measure your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, opt for a smart thermostat, which gives you remote temperature control and customized heating schedules.
Your Home Has an Incorrect Furnace Size
Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may not heat all of your residence, leaving some areas colder than others. On the other hand, a furnace that’s too big often cycles on and off constantly, leading to temperature fluctuations and higher wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your heating and air system.
How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling professional assess your home’s furnace size compared to your home’s size, the climate where you live, the home’s insulation levels, windows and other factors. If your furnace is too small or large, think about upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.
Heat Only Reaches Some Floors of Your Home
Your problem: Heat rises, so the second floor of your home is often warm while the main floor is colder.
How to fix it: Zoning your heating system is a way for you to control the temperature in different parts of your home with independent thermostats and ductwork valves. This way, you can send warm air where you want.
You Need to Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Your problem: Like any machine, your furnace needs regular checkups to work smoothly. If you neglect to do routine care, your HVAC system may experience issues that reduce efficiency and stop it from heating your home evenly.
How to fix it: Schedule professional maintenance for your heating system annually—if possible in the fall before the heating season kicks off. Regular maintenance also helps spot and fix problems before they cause potentially costly performance issues or catastrophic breakdowns.
Schedule Furnace Services in the U.S. Today with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
No one likes spending time in a ice-cold room. If an easy fix doesn’t do the trick, count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to get the job done right. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, reliable solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let an uncomfortably chilly room ruin your comfort—call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the U.S. furnace services with the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.
