Why Are Some Rooms Always Too Hot Or Too Cold?
Inconsistent heating or cooling in the home is one of the most common reasons homeowners contact us for service. Hot or cold zones around the home are not only an annoyance, they’re a sign that the air delivery system is not operating correctly. Many homeowners will simply close or open vents, or adjust the thermostat well above or below where it should be to maintain a comfortable setting. This wastes energy and can shorten the life of your HVAC system
Several factors can contribute to uneven heating or cooling, but, fortunately, they can all be fixed. Here are a few things that you can do to address uneven
heating and cooling in your home
Have Your Home’s Duct Work Inspected
If airflow to certain parts of the home is imbalanced, you’ll experience uneven heating or cooling in those areas. An airflow imbalance also causes your system to work overtime in order to compensate, which in turn will shorten your system’s life and decrease its efficiency.
In order to create a balanced airflow an HVAC specialist will need to inspect and assess the design and condition of your home’s duct work. If the ducts are not properly sized, it’s important to replace them with correctly sized ones.
Identifying leaks and blockages is also important, as leaks are a major contributor to inefficiency and uneven temperatures. If blockages are identified, they will be removed to restore airflow. Once the underlying causes of the imbalance have been identified, the appropriate repairs or replacement will be made to get your system functioning normally again.
Check Vents and Registers
Furniture, rugs and curtains over vents block airflow. Return vents need 6 to 12 inches of clearance. Keep supply registers open, even in rooms you rarely use, so the system has enough air volume to heat and cool the whole house.
Seal Leaky Ducts the Right Way
Holes and gaps in metal ducts should be sealed with metal foil tape made for ductwork, not cloth duct tape.
Look at Insulation, Windows and Doors
Thin attic or wall insulation lets heat escape and leaves some rooms colder than others. When it is time to replace windows and doors, compare the energy efficiency of the glass and the frames.
Update Old Ductwork When You Replace Equipment
In many older Montana homes, the furnace and air conditioner have been replaced several times while the ductwork from the 1960s stayed as it was. A well-trained installer assesses the air delivery system during an equipment upgrade and changes the design where needed.
Use Ceiling Fans in Winter
In rooms with high ceilings, ceiling fans push warm air that collects near the ceiling back down into the living space.
Variable Speed Central Heating and Air
Variable speed motors provide more even heating and cooling, and allow for more precise control of airflow throughout the home. By moving the air more slowly through the system, variable speed motors can help make a home’s air filtration and moisture control systems more effective. They adjust the system’s output based on the home’s heating or cooling needs. They can also be helpful in situations where uneven heating or cooling is actually desired. If there are rooms in your home that are rarely used, you can save money by keeping them at a slightly higher or lower temperature than the other rooms in your home. This involves “zoning,” which means customizing temperature settings for different areas of the home. In general, variable speed motors are the only systems that allow for zoning within the home.
For additions, basements and outbuildings that are not connected to the ductwork, a ductless mini-split can create a separate zone. It is also an upgrade path for homes heated with electric baseboard.
Ensure Your HVAC System Is The Correct Size
Just as you’re experiencing discomfort due to uneven temperatures, your system is constantly trying to compensate, which means high utility bills and the potential for costly repairs.
Sometimes, an improperly sized HVAC system may result in uneven heating or cooling. This could be the result of either an incorrect load calculation at the time of the system’s installation or a home’s heating and cooling needs changing over time. For example, it is common that an extra room is added or an area like an attic or basement is converted into living space. If your HVAC system is too small to properly heat or cool your home, uneven temperatures and system failures could result. Central Heating Cooling Plumbing Electrical can help you determine whether your HVAC system is properly sized, contact us for an up-to-date load calculation in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Polson, Lakeside and Somers.
