Nine Reasons Why Your House Doesn’t Heat Evenly
Have you experienced inconsistent home heating this year? This issue comes about when some rooms feel nice and cozy while others are noticeably colder. There might be several reasons to blame for this. Explore what could be creating these temperature disparities and how to address them.
1. Your Vents Are Blocked or Closed
The problem: Your furnace moves heated air throughout your home via vents and ducts. If these are shut, the altered airflow creates hot and cold spots in your home.
The fix: Make sure all the vents are unobstructed, especially if certain rooms aren’t receiving enough heat. Then, inspect 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 emerging from the register. If one or more registers is open but not very much air is coming out, there may be a malfunction with a damper or the duct directing the air to go where it is not needed.
2. Dirty Air Filter
The dilemma: Your furnace air filter collects dust, pollen and other airborne particles, making your air clean. But a filthy, dirt-filled filter obstructs 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 you want them to be.
The solution: Examine and change the air filter for a clean one every one to three months, especially in the winter when your heating system works overtime.
3. Your Home Needs More Insulation
The issue: Inadequate home insulation lets heat leak out, especially from rooms connected to outside walls or the attic. This problem makes certain rooms more difficult to heat, even when other areas of the house feel comfortable.
The fix: Improve your home’s attic insulation to stop heat from seeping out of your home. If your current insulation is in good shape, you may be able to install more on top of it.
4. Your Windows and Doors Are Drafty
The problem: Single-pane windows and old, leaky doors are well-known for letting cold air inside, disturbing the indoor temperature. This problem is most common in old homes, where windows and doors don’t shut as tightly as they should.
The fix: Reduce drafts around doors and windows by adding weatherstripping or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also block the cold from entering. When these small fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.
5. Leaky Ductwork
The problem: Ductwork moves heated air around your home. If there’s a leak, warmth can escape before reaching your living space.
The fix: Ask an HVAC specialist to inspect your ductwork for leaks, which can often be fixed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more extreme cases, duct substitution may be necessary.
6. Thermostat Location Issues
The issue: Your thermostat manages the heating system for your whole home. If it’s in a drafty or overly warm location, it may give inaccurate readings, forcing the system to run at the wrong times and creating uneven temperatures.
The remedy: If your thermostat is installed near a drafty window or heat-generating appliance, you might be better off relocating it. A professional HVAC technician from Xtra Mile can help you move it to a more centralized location so that it is able to more accurately measure the home’s overall temperature. For extra convenience, 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, leaving some rooms cold. Conversely, a furnace that’s too large may turn on and off frequently, resulting in temperature fluctuations and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system.
The solution: Have a professional evaluate the furnace size in relation to your home’s square footage, climate, insulation levels, window orientation and more. If your furnace is incompatible, consider upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and efficiency.
8. Multiple Levels in Your Home
The issue: Heat inherently rises, meaning the second floor of your home is often hot while the main floor stays cold.
The solution: Zoning your heating system is a way for you to regulate the temperature in different areas using independent thermostats and ductwork dampers. By doing this, you can get warm air when and where you want it.
9. You Need HVAC Maintenance
The reason: Like any machinery, your furnace requires regular tune-ups to perform efficiently. Without routine tune-ups, the system may develop issues that diminish efficiency and prevent it from heating evenly.
The solution: Schedule professional maintenance once a year, preferably in the fall before the heating season starts. Scheduled HVAC maintenance is an easy way to detect and fix problems before they lead to performance issues.
Arrange for Furnace Services Today with Xtra Mile
Uneven heating is annoying. If a simple fix doesn’t do the trick, call Xtra Mile to get it straightened out. 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— contact Xtra Mile by calling 561-867-7332 today to arrange furnace services with us.
