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

Are some rooms in your home colder than others? Heating unevenly is when some rooms feel nice and cozy while others are much cooler. Several causes could be to blame for this heating problem. Here, we’ll explore what could be triggering these temperature imbalances and provide tips on how you can solve the issue.

Something’s Blocking Your Home’s Vents

Your problem: Your furnace moves heated air throughout your home in supply and return registers. If these are closed or covered up, the restricted air circulation creates hot and cold spots in your home.

How to fix it: Confirm that all the vents are unblocked, especially if certain rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough warm air. Next, check to make sure there aren’t any furnishings, carpets 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 a similar amount of air. If a register is unobstructed but not a lot of air is flowing from it, there may be a problem with a control mechanism 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 traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles to provide clean and healthy air in your home. But a blocked filter filled with these particles can significantly reduce airflow, making your heating system work harder and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the furnace or other heating system feel colder.

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

There’s Not Enough Insulation in Your Home

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to leak out, especially in rooms exposed to outside walls or your attic. This makes these rooms harder to heat, even when the rest of the home feels comfortable.

How to fix it: Update your attic insulation to keep heat from escaping from 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.

You Have Drafty Windows and Doors

Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, thin doors are often to blame 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 fit as snug as they used to.

How to fix it: Prevent drafts in and around doors and windows by installing sealing tape or caulk. Heavy-duty curtains and thermal blinds also help prevent cold air from getting in your home. However, if these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, it may be time to look into replacing your windows and exterior doors.

You Have Leaky Ductwork

Your problem: Ductwork transports heated air to your entire 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 specialist like one of our team members at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your ductwork for breaks, which can often be sealed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need to replace the ducts.

Your Thermostat Is Giving Misleading Readings

Your problem: The thermostat controls the heating system throughout your home. If it’s in a cold 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 drafty window or heat-generating appliance, you may want to move it to another area of your home. An HVAC specialist 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 read your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, choose a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and programmable heating schedules.

Your Home Has an Incorrect Furnace Size

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may not heat all of your residence, leaving some rooms colder than others. On the other hand, an oversized furnace often runs frequently, leading to temperature fluctuations and higher wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your heating and cooling system.

How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling Expert 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 mismatched, think about upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.

Heat Only Reaches Some Floors of Your Home

Your problem: Heat rises, so the second floor of your home can be warm while the main floor is colder.

How to fix it: Zoning your heating system allows you to control the temperature in different areas with multiple thermostats and ductwork dampers. This way, you can send warm air exactly where you want.

It’s Time for Routine HVAC Maintenance

Your problem: Like any appliance, your furnace needs regular checkups to operate smoothly. If you neglect to do 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 heating system annually—preferably in the fall before the heating season kicks off. Regular maintenance also helps identify and fix problems before they result in potentially costly performance issues or major breakdowns.

Schedule Furnace Services in the U.S. 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 correctly. Our ACE-certified technicians provide efficient, trustworthy solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let a stubbornly cold room get you down—call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the U.S. furnace services with the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.