Nine Things to Blame for Stubbornly Cold Rooms in Your Home
Have you noticed inconsistent home heating this cold season? This dilemma comes about when some rooms are nice and cozy while others are noticeably colder. There may be several reasons to blame for this. Discover what could be creating these temperature imbalances and how to fix them.
1. Blocked or Shut Vents
The cause of your problems: Your furnace circulates heated air throughout your home via supply and return registers. If these are shut, the disrupted airflow creates hot and cold spots in your home.
The remedy: Make sure all the vents are clear, especially if certain rooms aren’t getting enough heat. Then, examine furniture, rugs and curtains that might be impeding airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the registers in the other rooms are able to let air flow freely and feel like the same amount of air is flowing. If one or more registers is open but not a lot of air is coming out, there might be an issue with a damper or the duct channeling the air to go where it is not needed.
2. Dirty Air Filter
The problem: Your furnace air filter traps dust, pollen and other airborne irritants, making your air clean. But a clogged filter impedes airflow, making your heating system strain and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through the HVAC system easily, rooms farther from the furnace are made colder than they should be.
The remedy: Examine and change the air filter for a clean one every one to three months, especially in the winter when the heating system operates extensively.
3. Inadequate Insulation
The challenge: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to escape, especially from rooms next to outside walls or the attic. This problem causes certain rooms to be more difficult to heat, even when other spaces of the house are comfortable.
The remedy: Add more attic insulation to stop heat from leaking out of your home. If your current insulation is in good shape, you may be able to add more on top of it.
4. Drafty Windows and Doors
The problem: Single-pane windows and old, drafty doors are well-known for letting cold air inside, driving down the indoor temperature. This problem is most frequent in older homes, where windows and doors don’t seal as tightly as they should.
The remedy: Prevent drafts around doors and windows by adding weatherstripping or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also keep the cold from coming in. When these simple fixes aren’t sufficient to prevent cold spots, think about replacing your windows and exterior doors.
5. Leaky Ductwork
The cause: Ductwork transports heated air around your home. If there’s a break in the ducts, warmth can leak out of the ductwork before reaching your living space.
The fix: Employ a professional to inspect your ductwork for leaks, which can often be repaired with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more serious cases, duct replacement may be necessary.
6. You Need to Move Your Thermostat
The issue: Your thermostat controls the heating system for your entire house. If it’s in a breezy or overly warm location, it may produce inaccurate readings, causing the system to run at the wrong times and resulting in uneven temperatures.
The fix: If your thermostat is positioned near a drafty window or heat-generating appliance, consider relocating it. A technician from McLoughlin Plumbing Heating & Cooling can help you move it to a better location where it can accurately gauge the home’s average temperature. For extra ease, consider a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and personalized heating schedules.
7. Incorrect Furnace Size
The problem: Your furnace doesn’t have enough capacity 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, resulting in temperature fluctuations and increased wear and tear on your heating system.
The way to fix it: Have a professional analyze the furnace size in relation to your home’s dimensions, climate, insulation levels, window orientation and more. If your furnace is mismatched, consider upgrading to the right size for better heating effectiveness and efficiency.
8. Multiple Levels in Your Home
The cause of your problems: Heat inherently rises, meaning the second floor of your home is often hot while the ground level stays chilly.
The fix: Zoning your heating system allows you to manage the temperature in different parts of your home using separate thermostats and ductwork dampers. This way, you can direct warm air when and where you want it.
9. Lack of Regular HVAC Maintenance
The reason: Like any machinery, your furnace requires regular tune-ups to operate at its best. Without routine tune-ups, the system may experience issues that diminish efficiency and prevent it from heating evenly.
The way to fix the problem: Schedule professional maintenance once a year, preferably in the fall before the heating season starts. Regular HVAC maintenance is an easy way to identify and fix problems before they lead to performance issues.
Arrange for Furnace Services Today with McLoughlin Plumbing Heating & Cooling
Uneven heating is annoying. If an easy fix doesn’t do the trick, choose McLoughlin Plumbing Heating & Cooling to fix the problem. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, reliable solutions to all your home heating challenges backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot bring you down— get in touch with McLoughlin Plumbing Heating & Cooling by calling 610-735-2185 today to schedule furnace services with us.
