Nine Causes for Uneven Home Heating During Winter
Have you experienced irregular home heating this year? This problem happens when some rooms are nice and cozy while others are noticeably colder. There might be several reasons behind this comfort conundrum. Learn what could be creating these temperature fluctuations and how to fix them.
1. Closed or Blocked Vents
The cause of your problems: Your furnace distributes heated air throughout your home via supply and return registers. If these are closed, the altered airflow creates hot and cold spots in your home.
The remedy: Make sure all the vents are open, especially if certain rooms aren’t experiencing enough heat. Then, examine furniture, rugs and curtains that might be impeding airflow. If a room is too warm, make sure the registers in the other rooms are unblocked and feel like the same amount of air is emerging from the register. If one or more registers is open but not much air is coming out, there might be a malfunction with a damper or the duct channeling the air to go where it is not needed.
2. Clogged Furnace Filter
The dilemma: Your furnace air filter traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles, making your air clean. But a filthy, dirt-filled filter blocks airflow, making your heating system work harder and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through the HVAC system easily, rooms farther from the furnace are left colder than you want them to be.
The solution: Check and change the air filter for a clean one every one to three months, especially in the winter when your heating system operates extensively.
3. Poor Insulation
The challenge: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to escape, especially from rooms exposed to outside walls or the attic. This problem causes certain rooms to be challenging to heat, even when other parts of the house seem comfortable.
The fix: Add more attic insulation to prevent heat from leaking out of your home. If your current insulation is in satisfactory condition, you may be able to put more on top of it.
4. Air Is Escaping Through Windows and Doors
The problem: Single-pane windows and old, poorly sealed doors are notorious for letting cold air inside, disrupting the indoor temperature. This problem is most frequent in older homes, where windows and doors don’t shut as tightly as they should.
The remedy: Reduce drafts around doors and windows by installing weatherstripping or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also keep the cold from coming in. If these simple fixes aren’t sufficient to prevent cold spots, think about replacing your windows and exterior doors.
5. Air Is Leaking out of Your Ducts
The problem: Ductwork carries heated air through your home. If there’s a leak, warmth can escape before it can get to your living space.
The remedy: Hire a professional to inspect your ductwork for leaks, which can often be fixed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more extreme cases, duct substitution may be necessary.
6. You Need to Move Your Thermostat
The dilemma: Your thermostat manages the heating system for your whole home. If it’s in a breezy or overly warm location, it may give inaccurate readings, forcing the system to run at the wrong times and creating uneven temperatures.
The remedy: If your thermostat is positioned near a drafty window or heat-generating appliance, think about relocating it. A technician from Hays Cooling, Heating & Plumbing can help you move it to a more centralized location where it can accurately assess the home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, consider a smart thermostat, which permits remote temperature control and personalized heating schedules.
7. Your Home’s Furnace System Isn’t the Right Size
The issue: Your furnace doesn’t have enough capacity to heat your home, resulting in some cold rooms. Conversely, a furnace that’s too large may cycle on and off frequently, leading to temperature fluctuations and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system.
The fix: Have a professional assess the furnace size in relation to your home’s dimensions, climate, insulation levels, window orientation and more. If your furnace is unsuitable, think about upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and efficiency.
8. Multilevel Home Challenges
The cause of your problems: Heat naturally rises, which means the second floor of your home is often warm while the main floor stays cold.
The remedy: Zoning your heating system enables you to manage the temperature in different parts of your home using separate thermostats and ductwork dampers. By doing this, you can get warm air when and where you need it.
9. Lack of Regular HVAC Maintenance
The reason: Like any machinery, your furnace requires regular tune-ups to function efficiently. Without routine tune-ups, the system may experience issues that lower efficiency and prevent it from heating evenly.
The solution: Schedule professional maintenance once a year, preferably in the fall before the heating season begins. Scheduled HVAC maintenance is an easy way to find and fix problems before they result in performance issues.
Arrange for Furnace Services Today with Hays Cooling, Heating & Plumbing
Uneven heating is annoying. If a quick fix doesn’t do the trick, choose Hays Cooling, Heating & Plumbing to get it straightened out. Our ACE-certified technicians provide prompt, quality solutions to all your home HVAC needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot bring you down— reach out to Hays Cooling, Heating & Plumbing by calling 602-767-4891 today to arrange furnace services with us.
