Are some spots in your house warmer or cooler than others, even after turning up your heating unit or air conditioner? You’re not alone. Cold and warm spots in living spaces are a common phenomenon among many homeowners. Unfortunately, this problem is quite annoying, and it’s the main cause of family members fighting over the home’s thermostat. Many people rely on their central HVAC systems to maintain comfortable indoor environments during wet and hot seasons. If you are experiencing major variations in your residence’s cooling and heating, chances are your HVAC or other related devices may not be functioning effectively.
Warm and cold parts can cause disparities in your home’s overall temperature. They prevent you from enjoying consistent cooling and heating while increasing your energy bills. Figuring out the main culprits behind the formation of cold and warm spots can help eliminate the issue. Here are eight proven ways to prevent your home’s uneven cooling and heating problems.
1. Changing Filters
Dirty filters can cause airflow problems, leading to cold and hot spot issues. When your filter gets clogged, the HVAC unit will work harder to pass air through them. Not only will this strain your HVAC system, but it also results in limited airflow. Less airflow means it’ll take a longer time for your home’s temperature to regulate, leading to uneven heating or cooling. If you are experiencing uneven heating or cooling in your residence, check your filters and act accordingly. If they are dirty or clogged, consider changing them before they cause more serious problems. Experts recommend changing disposable filters and cleaning reusable ones every 30 to 90 days. Besides eliminating warm and cold spots, cleaning or changing filters enhances air quality and extends the service life of your HVAC equipment.
2. Addressing Air Leaks
Broken seals can cause drafts around some of your windows and doors, compromising your insulation. The cracks and openings allow air to seep into your house through the panes of the windows and doors. As a result, your house will form cold and warm spots. Your technician can replace the broken weatherstripping around your exterior doors and windows to keep cold air outdoors and prevent heated air from seeping out. You can also use caulk to seal your windows.
3. Changing Your Thermostat’s Location
The work of the thermostat is to tell the HVAC unit how much warm or cool air to deliver in parts of your home to achieve the desired temperatures. Your thermostat needs accurate temperature readings in your indoor environment to accomplish this task. If you place your thermostat in a warm part of your residence or near a heat source, it’ll tell the heating unit that it has reached the set temperature long before satisfactorily warming your living area.
Keep your thermostat away from sources of cold or heat to prevent uneven heating or cooling. If the thermostat is near a window, consider covering the window. Investing in a wireless thermostat can also make it easy to reposition the device to get more accurate readings. An old thermostat can also inaccurately read temperatures. If you have an old device, contact your HVAC technician to evaluate your unit’s performance to determine if you need an upgrade.
4. Checking Your Vents and Registers
Closed or blocked vents and registers can also encourage the formation of cold and warm areas in your residential property. When you close your registers and air ventilation, your HVAC equipment will not work as effectively as it should. Typically, your HVAC outputs similar amounts of airflow each time. Closing air vents and registers can cause more serious problems, such as duct leakages and blower motor issues.
Check underneath your floor rugs and behind the furniture to ensure free airflow from your supply and return vents. Avoid putting furniture and other items over your vents and registers. If that’s impossible for the layout of your house, your technician can install a deflector to redirect the air underneath your furniture.
5. Sizing Your HVAC Correctly
An HVAC unit isn’t a one-size-fits-all home solution. You need the perfect HVAC size for your house based on the number of occupants, square footage, and the number of stories, among other factors. Properly sizing your HVAC equipment allows you to enjoy even heating and cooling in your living space. The unit should have adequate capacity to accommodate your heating and cooling demands. An undersized heat pump, air conditioner, or pump will struggle to meet the indoor set temperatures, leading to the formation of warm and cold spots in your residence.
Similarly, an oversized HVAC will cool or heat your space too fast, resulting in uneven temperatures. Also, the system will not regulate indoor humidity well since it doesn’t run long enough. Consult an HVAC expert to determine if your unit is appropriately sized. If your home’s HVAC equipment is wrongly sized, the HVAC professional will recommend a replacement to help solve uneven heating and cooling issues.
6. Investing in Zoning Systems
Another effective way to eliminate uneven cooling and heating is by investing in a zoning system. Zoning involves installing a separate thermostat in every room or a group of rooms with ductwork. This way, you can easily adjust temperatures for every zone or room separately. A zoning system will not only help eliminate uneven cooling and heating in your space but also cut power usage, saving you a lot of money.
7. Adjusting Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help reduce energy usage and increase your living space’s comfort all year round. Making simple adjustments to your fans’ speed and rotation can make a big difference in air circulation inside your home. You can run your ceiling fans counterclockwise at a higher speed to push conditioned air down during the spring and summer seasons. During the winter and fall, you can turn your fans’ blades clockwise while running at the lowest setting to recirculate heated air in your living space.
8. Increasing Insulation
Your insulation level plays a major part in retaining warmth throughout your living area, especially during the wet season. Poor insulation allows heated air to escape through your walls, leading to uneven heating. Check your attic, ductwork, and exterior walls for insulation issues. If you notice holes in your ductwork or other insulation problems in your property, allow a skilled HVAC technician to inspect your house. These professionals know what to look for during inspection visits and will advise you on the necessary steps to solve uneven cooling and heating problems.
Contact the Cooling and Heating Professionals Today!
Uneven heating and cooling problems are common among American homeowners, especially as their houses grow older. They can make your house uncomfortable, even with the HVAC unit running. Eliminating this issue is necessary to make your living space cozier and save on your monthly electricity bills. If some parts of your house feel warmer or cooler than others, contact our team of HVAC specialists at Environmental Heating & Air Solutions today. Our professionals will inspect your home to identify the main causes of uneven cooling and heating and provide effective solutions based on your cooling and heating needs.
We also offer carbon monoxide detection, air quality, plumbing, ductwork, zoning, and insulation services to the residents of Roseville, CA, and the surrounding regions. Contact us today to schedule your appointment or request our services.