Cold Rooms? Nine Ways to Fix a Home That’s Heating Unevenly

Does your furnace struggle to heat your entire home evenly? Heating unevenly is when some rooms feel warm while others are much colder. Several causes could be to blame for this temperature problem. Here, we’ll explore what could be behind these temperature imbalances and show you how to solve the problem.

Closed or Blocked Vents

Your problem: Your furnace circulates warm air throughout your home using vent and return registers. If these are obstructed or shut, the restricted air circulation creates hot and cold areas in your home.

How to fix it: Confirm that all the vents are unblocked, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough heat. Next, check to make sure there aren’t any furnishings, mats or drapes hindering airflow. If a room is too warm, make sure the registers in the other rooms are open and feel like they are putting out about the same amount of air. If a register is clear but not a lot of air is coming out, there may be a problem with a valve or the duct isn’t directing the air to the right place.

A Clogged Air Filter Is Straining Your HVAC System

Your problem: Your furnace air filter traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles to keep your air clean. However, a blocked filter filled with these particles can significantly reduce airflow, making your furnace work harder and leading to uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the heat source feel colder.

How to fix it: Inspect and swap out the furnace’s air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when the heating system operates often.

Your Home Needs More Insulation

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation lets warm air seep out of your home, especially in rooms along outside walls or the attic. This makes certain rooms more difficult to heat, even when the rest of the home feels comfortable.

How to fix it: Enhance your attic insulation to keep heat from rising out of your home. If the insulation in your home now is in good shape, you may be able to simply add more on top of it.

Drafty Doors and Windows Are Letting Cold Air In

Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, thin doors are often to blame for letting cold air into your home, cooling the indoor temperature. This problem is most common 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 by installing insulation strips or caulk. Thermal curtains and thermal blinds also help keep cold air out of your home. However, if these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.

Duct Leaks Are Letting Warm Air Out

Your problem: Ductwork delivers heated air throughout your home. If an air duct has a crack, warm air can leak out before it gets to some rooms of your home.

How to fix it: Hire an HVAC technician like one of our team members at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your ductwork for leaks, which can often be sealed with duct tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need to replace the ducts.

Your Thermostat Is Giving Misleading Readings

Your problem: The thermostat manages the heating system in your home. If it’s in a windy or unusually sunny spot, it may give distorted readings, causing your HVAC system to run at the wrong times—and lead to uneven temperatures.

How to fix it: If your thermostat is near a windy window or energy-producing appliance, it might be a good idea to find a new place for it. An HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to a more central location where it can more accurately measure your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, opt for a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and customized heating schedules.

Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may not heat all of your home, making some areas colder than others. On the other hand, a furnace that’s too big often cycles on and off constantly, 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 specialist evaluate the size and capacity of the furnace in your home compared to your home’s square footage, the climate where you live, the home’s insulation levels, windows and other factors. If your furnace is mismatched, think about upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.

Heating Challenges of Multilevel Homes

Your problem: Heat rises, which means the second floor of your home is often comfortable while the main floor is colder.

How to fix it: Zoning your heating system allows you to control the temperature in different rooms using separate thermostats and ductwork dampers. This way, you can direct warm air where you need it.

Your Furnace Needs a Tune-Up From a Pro

Your problem: Like any appliance, your furnace needs regular checkups to function smoothly. Without routine care, your HVAC system may develop issues that lower energy efficiency and hinder it from heating your home evenly.

How to fix it: Schedule professional maintenance for your furnace annually—preferably in the fall before the heating season starts. Regular maintenance also helps detect and fix issues before they result in potentially expensive performance issues or catastrophic breakdowns.

Call the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Furnace Service in the U.S.

No one likes to spend time in a ice-cold room. If one of these simple fixes doesn’t solve the issue, count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to get the job done correctly. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, trustworthy solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot ruin your comfort—call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the U.S. furnace services with the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.

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