Cold Rooms? Nine Ways to Fix a Home That’s Heating Unevenly
Does your home heat unevenly? Heating unevenly happens when some rooms feel comfortably warm while others are noticeably cooler. Several causes could be to blame for this temperature problem. Here, we’ll explore what could be triggering these temperature imbalances and provide tips on how you can resolve the issue.
Closed or Blocked Vents
Your problem: Your furnace circulates heated air throughout your home using supply and return registers. If these are obstructed or shut, the restricted airflow creates warm and cold areas in your home.
How to fix it: Ensure all your home’s vents are open, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough warmth. Then, check to make sure there aren’t any decor, mats or drapes obstructing airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the registers in the other rooms are uncovered and feel like they are putting out a similar amount of air. If a register is clear but not a lot of air is coming out, there may be a problem with a damper or the duct isn’t forcing the air to the right place.
Your HVAC Air Filter Is Clogged
Your problem: Your furnace air filter traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles so that your air is clean. However, a clogged filter filled with these particles can drastically lower airflow, making your furnace work harder and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the furnace or other heating system feel colder.
How to fix it: Inspect and replace the 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 leak out, especially in rooms nearest to outside walls or your home’s attic. This makes these rooms more difficult to heat, even when the rest of the home feels comfortable.
How to fix it: Shore up your attic insulation to stop heat from leaving your home. If the material currently insulating your home is in good shape, you may be able to simply layer additional insulation right on top of it.
You Have Drafty Windows and Doors
Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, thin doors are a common culprit for letting cold air inside, putting a chill on the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, which frequently have windows and doors that don’t close as snug as they need to.
How to fix it: Avoid drafts in and around doors and windows with sealing tape or caulk. Thermal curtains and thermal blinds also help prevent cold air from getting in your home. However, if these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.
There’s a Leak in Your Air Ducts
Your problem: Ductwork delivers heated air to all the rooms in your home. If there’s a crack, warmth can leak out before it gets to some rooms of your home.
How to fix it: Hire an HVAC specialist like one of our team members at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts 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.
Your Thermostat Is in a Bad Spot
Your problem: The thermostat regulates the heating system in your home. If it’s in a drafty or unusually hot spot, it may give misleading 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 heat-generating appliance, it might be a good idea to find a new place for it. An HVAC technician from Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can help you move it to a more central location where it can more accurately measure your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, consider a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and programmable 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 end of the spectrum, a furnace that’s too big often turns on and off continuously, causing temperature fluctuations and increased wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your heating and cooling system.
How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling professional assess your home’s furnace size compared to your home’s square footage, the climate where you live, the home’s insulation quality, windows and other factors. If your furnace is mismatched, you may opt for upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.
Heat Only Reaches Some Floors of Your Home
Your problem: Heat rises, which is why the second floor of your home can be warm while the main floor is cool.
How to fix it: Zoning your heating system is a way for you to control the temperature in different rooms with multiple thermostats and ductwork controls. This way, you can redirect warm air exactly where you want.
You Need to Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Your problem: Like any machine, your furnace needs regular maintenance to operate smoothly. Without routine care, your HVAC system may end up with issues that lower energy efficiency and hinder it from heating your home evenly.
How to fix it: Schedule professional maintenance for your furnace annually—if possible in the fall before the heating season starts. Regular maintenance also helps identify and fix problems before they lead to potentially expensive performance issues or total breakdowns.
Schedule Furnace Services in Winnipeg Today with Winnipeg Supply Service Experts
No one likes spending time in a cold room. If an easy fix doesn’t do the trick, count on Winnipeg Supply Service Experts to get the job done right. Our certified technicians provide quick, trustworthy solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let an uncomfortably chilly room ruin your comfort—call 204-800-0613 today to schedule Winnipeg furnace services with the Experts at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts.
