Nine Reasons Your Home Isn’t Heating Evenly
Does your home heat unevenly? Heating unevenly happens when some rooms feel warm while others are noticeably colder. Several culprits could be to blame for this home comfort problem. Here, we’ll help you learn what could be causing these temperature imbalances and show you how to solve the issue.
Air Vents Aren’t Open
Your problem: Your furnace circulates heated air throughout your home via supply and return registers. If these are closed or shut, the restricted airflow creates hot and cold spots in your home.
How to fix it: Make sure all the vents are open, especially if certain rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough heat. Then, check to make sure there aren’t any furniture, rugs or curtains obstructing airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the registers in the other rooms are open and feel like they are putting out the same amount of air. If a register is open but not a lot of air is coming out, there may be a problem with a damper or the duct isn’t forcing 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. But a dirty filter filled with these particles can severely restrict airflow, making your heating system work harder and resulting in uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the system feel colder.
How to fix it: Check and replace the air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when the heating system works overtime.
Your Home Has Poor Insulation
Your problem: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to escape, especially from rooms exposed to outside walls or the attic. This makes certain rooms harder to heat, even when the rest of the home feels comfortable.
How to fix it: Update your attic insulation to prevent heat from rising out of your home. If your existing insulation is in good shape, you may be able to simply add more on top of it.
You Have Drafty Windows and Doors
Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, leaky doors are notorious for letting cold air inside, disrupting the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, which commonly have windows and doors that don’t seal as snug as they should.
How to fix it: Prevent drafts in and around doors and windows by installing weatherstripping or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also help keep cold air out of your home. When 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 carries heated air throughout your home. If your ductwork has a leak, warmth can escape before it gets to some rooms of your home.
How to fix it: Hire an HVAC professional 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 metal 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 warm spot, it may give inaccurate 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 heat-generating appliance, you may want to move it to another area of your home. An HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to an area more representative of your home’s actual temperature where it can more accurately measure your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, consider 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 struggle to heat all of your home, leaving some rooms colder than others. On the other hand, an oversized furnace often cycles on and off constantly, leading to 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 professional assess 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, 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 warm while the main floor is cool.
How to fix it: Zoning your heating system allows you to control the temperature in different areas using independent thermostats and ductwork dampers. This way, you can direct warm air where you need it.
It’s Time for Routine HVAC Maintenance
Your problem: Like any machine, your furnace needs regular tune-ups to function smoothly. Without routine care, your HVAC system may develop issues that reduce efficiency and prevent 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 begins. Regular maintenance also helps identify and fix problems before they cause potentially costly performance issues or major breakdowns.
Schedule Furnace Services in Canada Today with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
No one likes to spend time in a 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 fast, reliable solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot get you down—call 866-397-3787 today to schedule Canada furnace services with the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.