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

Does your home heat unevenly? Heating unevenly occurs when some rooms feel warm while others are significantly colder. Several culprits could be to blame for this heating challenge. Here, we’ll explore what could be triggering these temperature imbalances and show you how to solve the problem.

Something’s Blocking Your Home’s Vents

Your problem: Your furnace circulates heated air throughout your home using vent and return registers. If these are blocked or covered up, the restricted air movement creates warm and cold areas in your home.

How to fix it: Ensure all your home’s vents are clear of obstructions, especially if certain rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough warmth. Next, check to make sure there aren’t any furniture, rugs or blinds hindering airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the vents in the other rooms are clear 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 System Has a Dirty Air Filter

Your problem: Your furnace air filter collects and removes dust, pollen and other airborne particles so that your air is clean. But a dirty filter filled with these particles can significantly reduce airflow, making your heating system work harder and leading to uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the system can be colder.

How to fix it: Check and change the furnace’s air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when your home’s heating system works overtime.

Your Home Has Poor Insulation

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation lets warm air escape, especially in rooms exposed to outside walls or your attic. This makes some rooms more difficult to heat, even when the rest of the home is nice and 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 layer additional insulation right on top of it.

You Have Drafty Windows and Doors

Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, drafty doors are often to blame for letting cold air inside, disrupting the indoor temperature. This problem is most common in older homes, which frequently have windows and doors that don’t seal as snug as they need to.

How to fix it: Avoid drafts in and around doors and windows by installing sealing tape or caulk. Thermal curtains and thermal blinds also help block out the cold. If you find that these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.

You Have Leaky Ductwork

Your problem: Ductwork transports heated air to your entire home. If there’s a leak, 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 cracks, which can usually be sealed with duct tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need duct replacement.

Your Thermostat Is in a Bad Spot

Your problem: The thermostat controls the heating system in your home. If it’s in a drafty or unusually warm spot, it may give misleading readings, causing your HVAC system to run at the wrong times—and result in uneven temperatures.

How to fix it: If your thermostat is near a cold window or heat-generating 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 better place where it can more accurately gauge your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, choose a smart thermostat, which gives you remote temperature control and customized heating schedules.

Your Home Has an Incorrect Furnace Size

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may have difficulty heating 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, leading to temperature fluctuations and higher wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your heating and air 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 too small or large, you may opt for upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.

Your Home Struggles to Heat Multiple Levels

Your problem: Heat rises, which is why the second floor of your home is sometimes warm while the main floor is cool.

How to fix it: Zoning your heating system is a way for you to control the temperature in different parts of your home with multiple thermostats and ductwork controls. This way, you can redirect warm air exactly where you need it.

It’s Time for Routine HVAC Maintenance

Your problem: Like any appliance, your furnace needs regular checkups to work smoothly. Without routine care, your HVAC system may end up with issues that lower energy efficiency and prevent 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 detect and fix issues before they cause 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 be 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 right. Our ACE-certified technicians provide efficient, reliable 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.