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

Does your furnace struggle to heat your entire home evenly? Heating unevenly occurs when some rooms feel comfortably warm while others are noticeably cooler. Several culprits could be to blame for this home comfort problem. Here, we’ll explore what could be triggering these temperature imbalances and show you how to fix the problem.

Air Vents Aren’t Open

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

How to fix it: Ensure all the vents are unblocked, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough warm air. Next, check to make sure there aren’t any furniture, mats or drapes hindering airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the vents in the other rooms are uncovered and feel like they are putting out about 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 routing the air to the right place.

Your HVAC System Has a Dirty Air Filter

Your problem: Your furnace air filter catches dust, pollen and other airborne particles to keep your air clean. However, a dirty filter filled with these particles can severely restrict airflow, making your furnace work harder and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the furnace or other heating system will be colder.

How to fix it: Look over and change the air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when your heating system works a lot.

Your Home Needs More Insulation

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation lets warm air seep out of your home, especially from rooms nearest to outside walls or the attic. This makes some rooms more difficult to heat, even when the rest of the home seems comfortable.

How to fix it: Shore up your attic insulation to stop heat from escaping from your home. If the material currently insulating your home 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, leaky doors are a common culprit for letting cold air into your home, putting a chill on the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, which frequently have windows and doors that don’t seal as snug as they used to.

How to fix it: Stop drafts in and around doors and windows by installing sealing tape or caulk. Thermal curtains and thermal blinds also help block out the cold. When these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, you may want to think about replacing your windows and exterior doors.

There’s a Leak in Your Air Ducts

Your problem: Ductwork carries heated air throughout your home. If an air duct has a crack, warm air 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 breaks, which can usually 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 in your home. If it’s in a drafty or unusually hot spot, it may give distorted readings, causing your HVAC system to run at the wrong times—and create uneven temperatures.

How to fix it: If your thermostat is near a windy window or heat-emitting 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 more central location where it can more accurately read your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, consider a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and programmable heating schedules.

Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may not heat all of your residence, making some rooms colder than others. On the other end of the spectrum, an oversized furnace often runs frequently, causing temperature fluctuations and excessive wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your HVAC system.

How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling specialist evaluate 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 quality, windows and other factors. If your furnace is oversized or underpowered, you may opt for 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 is sometimes comfortable 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 areas using independent 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 checkups to operate smoothly. If you neglect to do routine care, your HVAC system may experience 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—ideally in the fall before the heating season kicks off. Regular maintenance also helps spot and fix problems before they become potentially expensive performance issues or major breakdowns.

Trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Furnace Services in the U.S.

No one likes to spend 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 right. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, reliable solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let an uncomfortably chilly 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.