How to Fix Uneven Heating in the House
When you walk around the house, every room should feel like it’s the same temperature. If your house has cold spots or a particular room is always a different temperature than the rest of the house, there could be a few reasons why. Don’t let the causes of uneven heating in the house remain a mystery – call Redman to restore your comfort levels! Our team of experienced HVAC professionals has the expertise to find out what’s causing these cold spots around your home. Call Redman today to learn more.
Causes and Solutions to Uneven Heating in the House
There are many possible factors as to why you’re experiencing uneven heating. Some of our solutions are things you can do yourself, and others require a professional HVAC contractor to take a look. Check out our list of possibilities and try a few of our solutions to help restore equal heating to your home.
Leaky Ducts
Your air ducts are in the walls, ceiling, basement, and attic of your house. Your home’s duct system is what makes the movement of heated air from the furnace to every room in the house possible. If particular rooms are colder than others, there may be leaky ducts. Warm air heats air ducts which makes them expand, while cool air makes air ducts contract. All this expanding and contracting over time can create cracks, holes, and leaks in your air ducts. Have an HVAC technician inspect your air duct system and seal up any holes or leaks. Not only does a leaky duct system cause energy loss, but it can also create an entryway for vermin and rodents to enter through.
Insufficient Airflow
Are all of your air vents open? When was the last time you changed your furnace’s air filter? These two factors can contribute to the airflow in your house. Closing air vents in occupied rooms might seem like a good idea, but this can cause strain on your furnace. Closed air vents can also lead to decreased air circulation and pressure imbalances in certain rooms.
Air filters guard the furnace against dust and contaminants that flow through your ductwork. Your furnace needs airflow to run and if you have a clogged air filter preventing your HVAC system from getting air, it’s going to have a hard time sending out air. Changing out your air filters every 90 days is recommended. If it’s been longer than that since you last changed your air filter, you’ll notice a difference right away. Keeping up on annual furnace maintenance will also help increase airflow in your home.
Insufficient Insulation
Insulation can last a long time if it’s been undamaged. Rodents, water damage, fire, and mold growth can all affect the integrity of your insulation. To fix a particular room with hot and cold spots, check the condition of the insulation above this room in the attic of your home.
Rooms Furthest Away from Furnace Are the Most Affected
Many people find that the room that suffers the most from uneven heating in the house is the one that is the furthest away from the furnace. This might be because the heating system is too small for your home, or your thermostat is not getting an accurate read on the entire house.
A zoning system or ductless mini splits might be helpful solutions for this particular instance. A zoned system uses a series of dampers that can be opened and closed for each room to direct airflow. These dampers can be controlled by one thermostat. A ductless mini split, meanwhile, does not require ductwork. Instead, it consists of a heat pump and multiple indoor air handling units to distribute conditioned air. Mini splits are great for new additions or rooms without ductwork.
Room-related Factors
If the coldest room in your house is the room with the most windows, the drafts in the room are probably causing issues to your home’s comfort. Insulate these windows with blackout curtains or shrink film plastic to help eliminate drafts. Drafty windows don’t just fill rooms with cold air, they also can hurt your home’s energy efficiency.
Incorrectly Sized Furnace or Ductwork
Sometimes the furnace that was installed in your house is too small which results in issues to your home’s comfort as well as extra strain on your heating and cooling systems. If all else has failed to even out temperatures in your home, talk to an HVAC system professional. They may suggest purchasing a new furnace that is a better size for your home, or upgrading to a new energy-efficient model.
Call Redman Services to Fix Cold Spots in Your Home
After you’ve tried some of these solutions, you should expect equal heating throughout your home. However, if you don’t, then it’s time to call Redman, your home service hero. We can help diagnose your heating and cooling issues and find a solution for uneven heating in your home. Call Redman for service today.