As you start to enjoy the warmth of your furnace this fall and winter you may notice that some rooms aren’t quite as warm as others. Uneven heating causing hot and/or cold spots in your home can be caused by many things, however here are the 7 most common issues causing uneven heating in your home.
1) Your Furnace needs a check-up
Over time your furnace will become less efficient. Regular maintenance, especially in the fall before the temperature drops, is key to keeping your unit running at maximum efficiency. Early diagnosis of internal issues, most without noticeable symptoms, can be easy and less expensive maintenance repairs. If these internal issue go unchecked however, you will have a much bigger problem (and price tag) when the furnace is pushed to the point of failure.
2) Improper furnace size.
If you are experiencing uneven heating throughout your home, you may have the wrong size furnace. An undersized furnace lacks the capacity to properly distribute hot air throughout your entire living space while an oversized furnace may short cycle also leading to improper heating. Have our licensed technicians analyze the capacity of your furnace and determine what’s right for your home.
3) Inadequate insulation
A furnace can be working perfectly to heat the air, but it also requires a house that can help to retain the heat. Proper insulation and high R-values for different building materials, including doors, windows, walls, and attics, will work with your furnace to keep that hard earned warm air in. In addition, while you cannot insulate a fireplace and chimney opening, ensuring that the flu is closed while not in use will at least help to maintain air temperature in your home.
4) Blocked or leaking ducts
Externally, a duct can be obstructed by furniture, carpeting, or other household items. Internally a duct may be obstructed by dirt and debris. Both obstructions can block air movement through your duct system causing inadequate heating. Similarly, a leaky duct, typically caused by lack of insulation or a gap in the duct work, will reduce or even eliminate heated air from reaching certain rooms of your home.
5) Poor Ventilation
Proper airflow is crucial to the distribution of hot air throughout your home. Ventilation issues such as blocked return ducts, inadequately sized filters, or dirty filters will restrict airflow and choke your furnace.
6) Issues with the thermostat
Your thermostat may be getting older and hence more prone to faulty heat sensors or faulty wiring both causing false temperature readings. As a result, your furnace will either be running excessively or not at all.
7) The Design of your House
From a 1-story ranch to a 3-story townhome, every home design is different and thus requires different heating and HVAC design. A multi-level home may experience warmer air on the upper levels as warm air rises. A large 1-story ranch may experience cold rooms that are far from the main furnace and are thus the last to receive the heated air. Finally, a single thermostat with an improper location may be leaving a portion of your home cold.