Nine Causes for Uneven Home Heating During Winter
Have you experienced irregular home heating this winter? This issue occurs when some rooms are nice and cozy while others are significantly colder. There may be several culprits causing this uncomfortable problem. Explore what could be triggering these temperature imbalances and how to solve them.
1. Closed or Blocked Vents
The cause of your problems: Your furnace moves heated air throughout your home via supply and return registers. If these are blocked, the disrupted airflow creates hot and cold spots in your home.
The remedy: Make sure all the vents are open, especially if certain rooms aren’t getting enough heat. Then, inspect furniture, rugs and curtains that might be impeding airflow. If a room is too warm, make sure the registers in the other rooms are able to let air flow freely and feel like the same amount of air is emerging from the register. If one or more registers is open but not very much air is flowing, there may be an issue with a damper or the duct channeling the air to go where it is not needed.
2. Your Air Filter Is Dirty
The dilemma: Your furnace air filter captures dust, pollen and other airborne contaminants, keeping your air clean. But a clogged filter blocks airflow, making your heating system work harder and resulting in uneven heating. If warm air is unable to get through the HVAC system easily, rooms farther from the furnace are often colder than they should be.
The fix: Examine and swap out the air filter for a fresh one every one to three months, especially in the winter when the heating system operates extensively.
3. Your Home Needs More Insulation
The challenge: Poor home insulation enables heat to seep out of your home, especially from rooms next to outside walls or the attic. This problem makes certain rooms challenging to heat, even when other parts of the house are comfortable.
The solution: Update your attic insulation to stop heat from rising out of your home. If your existing insulation looks good, you may be able to install more on top of it.
4. Your Windows and Doors Are Drafty
The dilemma: Single-pane windows and old, poorly sealed doors are well-known for letting cold air inside, disrupting the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, where windows and doors don’t close as tightly as they should.
The fix: Prevent drafts around doors and windows by installing weatherstripping or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also keep the cold from entering. If these easy fixes aren’t adequate to prevent cold spots, think about replacing your windows and exterior doors.
5. Air Is Leaking out of Your Ducts
The cause: Ductwork transports heated air throughout your home. If there’s a leak, warmth can escape before it can get to your living space.
The solution: Hire an HVAC specialist to inspect your ductwork for leaks, which can often be fixed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more serious cases, duct replacement may be necessary.
6. You Need to Move Your Thermostat
The dilemma: Your thermostat controls the heating system for your whole home. If it’s in a breezy or unusually warm location, it may produce inaccurate readings, forcing the system to run at the wrong times and creating uneven temperatures.
The solution: If your thermostat is positioned near a drafty window or heat-generating appliance, think about relocating it. A professional HVAC technician from Arundel Cooling can help you move it to a better location where it can accurately measure the home’s average temperature. For extra ease, consider a smart thermostat, which permits remote temperature control and customized heating schedules.
7. Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size
The culprit: An undersized furnace struggles to heat your home, and some rooms in your home may not get as warm as others. Conversely, an oversized furnace may switch on and off frequently, leading to temperature fluctuations and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system.
The fix: Have a professional analyze the furnace size in relation to your home’s area, climate, insulation levels, window orientation and more. If your furnace is mismatched, consider upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and efficiency.
8. Multilevel Home Challenges
The cause of your problems: Heat automatically rises, meaning the second floor of your home is often warm while the first floor stays cool.
The fix: Zoning your heating system is a way for you to control the temperature in different areas using independent 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 develop 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. Regular HVAC maintenance helps detect and fix problems before they lead to performance issues.
Arrange for Furnace Services Today with Arundel Cooling
Uneven heating is a pain. If an easy fix doesn’t do the trick, choose Arundel Cooling to help set things right. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, quality solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot get you down— reach out to Arundel Cooling by calling 410-645-0939 today to schedule furnace services with us.
