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

Does your home heat unevenly? Heating unevenly occurs when some rooms feel nice and cozy while others are much colder. Several causes could be to blame for this heating challenge. Here, we’ll help you learn what could be behind these temperature imbalances and show you how to fix the issue.

Closed or Blocked Vents

Your problem: Your furnace distributes heated air throughout your home using supply and return registers. If these are closed or shut, the restricted air circulation creates hot and cold zones in your home.

How to fix it: Make sure all the vents are clear of obstructions, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough warmth. Then, check to make sure there aren’t any decor, carpets or drapes obstructing airflow. If a room is too warm, make sure the vents in the other rooms are open and feel like they are putting out about the same 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 damper 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 to provide clean and healthy air in your home. However, a clogged filter filled with these particles can drastically lower airflow, making your furnace work harder and resulting in 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: Check and replace the furnace’s air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when the heating system runs a lot.

Your Home Needs More Insulation

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to leak out, especially from rooms along outside walls or your attic. This makes these rooms more difficult to keep as warm as you’d like, even when the rest of the home is nice and comfortable.

How to fix it: Shore up your attic insulation to keep heat from leaving 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, thin doors are a common culprit for letting cold air into your home, putting a chill on the indoor temperature. This problem is most often seen in older homes, which commonly have windows and doors that don’t close as snug as they should.

How to fix it: Avoid drafts in and around doors and windows with sealing tape or caulk. Thermal curtains and thermal blinds also help prevent cold air from getting in your home. 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 carries heated air to all the rooms in your home. If there’s a hole, warm air can leak out 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 usually be sealed with duct 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 cold or unusually warm spot, it may give distorted 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-emitting appliance, think about relocating it. An HVAC professional from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to a more central location where it can more accurately measure your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, choose a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and personalized heating schedules.

You Need a Different Size of Furnace

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may have difficulty heating all of your home, leaving some areas colder than others. On the other hand, a furnace that’s too big often runs frequently, resulting in 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 Expert evaluate your home’s furnace size compared to your home’s size, 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, which means the second floor of your home is often heated while the main floor is cool.

How to fix it: Zoning your heating system allows you to control the temperature in different areas using separate thermostats and ductwork valves. This way, you can direct warm air exactly where you need it.

You Need to Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your problem: Like any appliance, your furnace needs regular tune-ups to operate smoothly. When you don’t provide routine care, your HVAC system may end up with issues that lower energy efficiency and stop it from heating your home evenly.

How to fix it: Schedule professional maintenance for your heating system annually—if possible in the fall before the heating season starts. Regular maintenance also helps detect and fix problems before they lead to 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 spending time in a cold room. If you aren’t able to fix this yourself, count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to get the job done correctly. Our ACE-certified technicians provide quick, dependable 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.