Nine Things to Blame for Stubbornly Cold Rooms in Your Home
Have you noticed uneven home heating this year? This problem comes about when some rooms seem nice and cozy while others are significantly colder. There could be several culprits to blame for this. Discover what could be triggering these temperature imbalances and how to address them.
1. Blocked or Shut Vents
The issue: Your furnace moves heated air throughout your home via supply and return registers. If these are obstructed, the impeded airflow creates hot and cold spots in your home.
The remedy: Make sure all the vents are unobstructed, especially if certain rooms aren’t receiving enough heat. Then, examine furniture, rugs and curtains that might be blocking airflow. If a room is too warm, make sure the registers in the other rooms are open and feel like the same amount of air is flowing. If one or more registers is open but not much air is flowing, there may be a problem with a damper or the duct forcing the air to go where it is not needed.
2. Your Air Filter Is Dirty
The issue: Your furnace air filter captures dust, pollen and other airborne irritants, keeping your air clean. But a dirty filter impedes airflow, making your heating system overexert and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through the HVAC system easily, rooms farther from the furnace are often colder than you would like.
The fix: Examine and replace the air filter for a clean one every one to three months, especially in the winter when your heating system runs more.
3. Inadequate Insulation
The challenge: Insufficient home insulation lets heat leak out, especially from rooms connected to outside walls or the attic. This problem makes certain rooms harder to heat, even when other spaces of the house feel comfortable.
The fix: Add more attic insulation to prevent heat from seeping out of your home. If your existing insulation is in satisfactory condition, you may be able to add more on top of it.
4. Air Is Escaping Through Windows and Doors
The issue: Single-pane windows and old, leaky doors are notorious for letting cold air inside, disrupting the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, where windows and doors don’t seal as tightly as they should.
The solution: Prevent drafts around doors and windows by adding weatherstripping or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also keep the cold from entering. If these easy fixes aren’t sufficient to prevent cold spots, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.
5. Leaky Ductwork
The problem: Ductwork moves heated air around your home. If there’s a breach, warmth can leak out of the ductwork before it can get to your living space.
The remedy: Ask a professional to inspect your ductwork for leaks, which can often be repaired with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more serious cases, duct substitution may be necessary.
6. You Need to Move Your Thermostat
The problem: Your thermostat manages the heating system for your entire house. If it’s in a breezy or overly warm location, it may provide inaccurate readings, causing the system to run at the wrong times and leading to uneven temperatures.
The remedy: If your thermostat is placed near a drafty window or heat-generating appliance, you might be better off relocating it. A professional HVAC technician from Sure Temp Air Conditioning can help you move it to a better location where it can accurately gauge the home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, consider a smart thermostat, which enables remote temperature control and tailored heating schedules.
7. Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size
The issue: Your furnace doesn’t have enough capacity to heat your home, leaving some rooms cold. 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 way to fix it: Have a professional evaluate the furnace size in relation to your home’s dimensions, climate, insulation levels, window orientation and more. If your furnace is mismatched, think about upgrading to the right size for better heating capability and efficiency.
8. Multiple Levels in Your Home
The cause of your problems: Heat inherently rises, which means the second floor of your home is often nice and toasty while the first floor stays chilly.
The solution: Zoning your heating system enables you to control the temperature in different parts of your home using separate thermostats and ductwork dampers. By doing this, you can guide warm air when and where you require it.
9. Lack of Regular HVAC Maintenance
The reason: Like any machinery, your furnace needs regular tune-ups to operate at its best. Without routine care, the system may experience issues that lower efficiency and prevent it from heating evenly.
The fix: Schedule professional maintenance once a year, preferably in the fall before the heating season arrives. Scheduled HVAC maintenance is an easy way to detect and fix problems before they result in performance issues.
Get Dependable Furnace Services Today with Sure Temp Air Conditioning
Uneven heating is a pain. If an easy fix doesn’t do the job, reach out to Sure Temp Air Conditioning to get it straightened out. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, quality solutions to all your home HVAC needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot bring you down— get in touch with Sure Temp Air Conditioning by calling 480-331-2940 today to arrange furnace services with us.
