Nine Ways to Fix a House That’s Not Heating Evenly

Are some rooms in your home colder than others? Heating unevenly is when some rooms feel warm while others are much colder. Several culprits could be to blame for this temperature problem. Here, we’ll explore what could be behind these temperature imbalances and provide tips on how you can resolve the problem.

Air Vents Aren’t Open

Your problem: Your furnace circulates heated air throughout your home via vent and return registers. If these are obstructed or shut, the restricted air movement creates warm and cold areas in your home.

How to fix it: Confirm that all the vents are unblocked, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough heat. Next, 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 clear and feel like they are putting out a similar amount of air. If a register is unobstructed but not a lot of air is coming out, there may be a problem with a control mechanism or the duct isn’t routing the air to the right place.

Your HVAC Air Filter Is Clogged

Your problem: Your furnace air filter catches dust, pollen and other airborne particles to provide clean and healthy air in your home. However, a blocked filter filled with these particles can severely restrict airflow, making your furnace work harder and leading to 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: Inspect and replace the furnace’s air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when your home’s heating system works a lot.

There’s Not Enough Insulation in Your Home

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to seep out of your home, especially from rooms exposed to outside walls or your home’s attic. This makes some rooms more difficult to keep as warm as you’d like, even when the rest of the home seems comfortable.

How to fix it: Shore up your attic insulation to prevent heat from escaping from your home. If your existing insulation is in good shape, you may be able to simply add more on top of it.

Cold Air Is Getting in Through Doors and Windows

Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, thin doors are notorious for letting cold air inside, cooling the indoor temperature. This problem is most common in older homes, which commonly have windows and doors that don’t close as snug as they used to.

How to fix it: Prevent drafts in and around doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also help prevent cold air from getting in your home. However, if these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.

Duct Leaks Are Letting Warm Air Out

Your problem: Ductwork transports heated air to all the rooms in your home. If there’s a crack, warm air can leak out before it gets to some rooms of your home.

How to fix it: Hire an HVAC specialist like one of our team members at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your ductwork for breaks, which can often be sealed with duct tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need duct replacement.

Your Thermostat Is Giving Misleading Readings

Your problem: The thermostat regulates the heating system in your home. If it’s in a cold or unusually sunny spot, it may give misleading 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-generating appliance, think about relocating it. An HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to an area more representative of your home’s actual temperature where it can more accurately gauge your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, opt for a smart thermostat, which gives you remote temperature control and customized heating schedules.

Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may not heat all of your home, making some areas colder than others. On the other hand, a furnace that’s too big often cycles on and off constantly, causing temperature fluctuations and increased wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your HVAC system.

How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling Expert assess your home’s furnace size 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, 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, so the second floor of your home is sometimes warm while the main floor is colder.

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

You Need to Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your problem: Like any appliance, your furnace needs regular maintenance to work smoothly. Without routine care, your HVAC system may develop issues that lower energy efficiency and stop it from heating your home evenly.

How to fix it: Schedule professional maintenance for your furnace annually—preferably in the fall before the heating season starts. Regular maintenance also helps detect and fix issues before they grow into potentially costly performance issues or total breakdowns.

Schedule Furnace Services in the U.S. Today with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

No one likes to be in a chilly room. If one of these simple fixes doesn’t solve the issue, count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to get the job done correctly. Our ACE-certified technicians provide efficient, dependable 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.