Nine Ways to Fix a House That’s Not Heating Evenly
Are some rooms in your home colder than others? Heating unevenly occurs when some rooms feel comfortably warm while others are noticeably chillier. Several causes could be to blame for this temperature problem. Here, we’ll explore what could be causing these temperature imbalances and show you how to resolve the issue.
Something’s Blocking Your Home’s Vents
Your problem: Your furnace distributes warm air throughout your home via air and return registers. If these are blocked or shut, the restricted air movement creates hot and cold areas in your home.
How to fix it: Confirm that all your home’s vents are open, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough warm air. Then, check to make sure there aren’t any furnishings, carpets or drapes obstructing airflow. If a room is too warm, make sure the vents in the other rooms are open and feel like they are putting out the same amount of air. If a register is unobstructed 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.
Your HVAC Air Filter Is Clogged
Your problem: Your furnace air filter traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles to keep your air clean. However, a dirty filter filled with these particles can severely restrict airflow, making your furnace work harder and resulting in uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the heat source feel colder.
How to fix it: Look over and replace the air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when the heating system operates overtime.
Your Home Needs More Insulation
Your problem: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to escape, especially in rooms along outside walls or your attic. This makes certain rooms challenging to keep as warm as you’d like, even when the rest of the home feels comfortable.
How to fix it: Shore up your attic insulation to prevent heat from leaving 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 notorious for letting cold air into your home, disrupting the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, which frequently have windows and doors that don’t seal as snug as they need to.
How to fix it: Prevent drafts in and around doors and windows by installing insulation strips or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also help block out the cold. However, if these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, you may want to think about replacing your windows and exterior doors.
Duct Leaks Are Letting Warm Air Out
Your problem: Ductwork delivers heated air to all the rooms in your home. If an air duct has a leak, warmth 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 breaks, which can usually be sealed with duct tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need duct replacement.
You Need to Move Your Thermostat
Your problem: The thermostat controls the heating system throughout 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 lead to uneven temperatures.
How to fix it: If your thermostat is near a drafty window or energy-producing appliance, think about relocating it. An HVAC specialist 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, choose a smart thermostat, which gives you remote temperature control and programmable heating schedules.
Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size
Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may struggle to heat all of your home, leaving 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 excessive wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your HVAC system.
How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling professional evaluate your home’s furnace size 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 oversized or underpowered, consider upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.
Your Home Struggles to Heat Multiple Levels
Your problem: Heat rises, which means the second floor of your home is often heated while the main floor is cool.
How to fix it: Zoning your heating system allows you to control the temperature in different rooms using multiple thermostats and ductwork controls. This way, you can direct warm air where you want.
It’s Time for Routine HVAC Maintenance
Your problem: Like any machine, your furnace needs regular maintenance to work smoothly. If you neglect to do 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 heating system annually—preferably in the fall before the heating season kicks off. Regular maintenance also helps identify and fix problems before they grow into potentially costly performance issues or major breakdowns.
Trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Furnace Services in the U.S.
No one likes spending time in a ice-cold room. If an easy fix doesn’t do the trick, count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to get the job done right. Our ACE-certified technicians provide quick, trustworthy solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let a stubbornly cold room 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.
