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 nice and cozy while others are noticeably cooler. Several reasons could be to blame for this home comfort problem. Here, we’ll explore what could be behind these temperature imbalances and provide tips on how you can resolve the problem.

Something’s Blocking Your Home’s Vents

Your problem: Your furnace distributes heated air throughout your home in supply and return registers. If these are closed or covered up, the restricted airflow creates hot and cold zones in your home.

How to fix it: Ensure all your home’s vents are unblocked, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough warmth. Then, check to make sure there aren’t any furniture, carpets or blinds blocking airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the registers 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 valve 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 traps dust, pollen and other airborne particles so that your air is clean. But a blocked filter filled with these particles can significantly reduce airflow, making your furnace work harder and causing uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the heat source feel colder.

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

Your Home Has Poor Insulation

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation allows heat to leak out, especially in rooms along outside walls or the attic. This makes certain rooms challenging to keep as warm as you’d like, even when the rest of the home seems comfortable.

How to fix it: Update your attic insulation to stop heat from leaving 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 into your home, disrupting the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, which commonly have windows and doors that don’t close as snug as they used to.

How to fix it: Avoid drafts in and around doors and windows by installing weatherstripping or caulk. Heavy-duty curtains and thermal blinds also help block out the cold. If you find that 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 carries heated air to all the rooms in your home. If your ductwork 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 leaks, which can usually be sealed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need air duct repair.

You Need to Move Your Thermostat

Your problem: The thermostat controls 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 lead to uneven temperatures.

How to fix it: If your thermostat is near a drafty 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 a better place where it can more accurately measure 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 have difficulty heating all of your residence, leaving some areas colder than others. On the other end of the spectrum, an oversized furnace often turns on and off continuously, 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 evaluate your home’s furnace size compared to your home’s square footage, the climate where you live, the home’s insulation levels, 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 can be heated while the main floor is cool.

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

You Need to Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your problem: Like any appliance, your furnace needs regular tune-ups to operate smoothly. Without routine care, your HVAC system may end up with issues that lower energy efficiency and prevent it from heating your home evenly.

How to fix it: Schedule professional maintenance for your heating system annually—preferably in the fall before the heating season kicks off. Regular maintenance also helps spot and fix problems before they result in potentially expensive performance issues or total breakdowns.

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

No one likes to be 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 properly. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, trustworthy solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let an uncomfortably chilly room ruin your comfort—call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the U.S. furnace services with the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.