According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), your thermostat should be set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. This helps save energy and prevent problems like frozen pipes and hypothermia. A heating system should generate a balanced temperature throughout your home. Uneven heat distribution, a common heating problem, is caused by a variety of reasons. Regardless, the end result leads to discomfort. You may try to increase the thermostat’s temperature to compensate, which inevitably spikes your heating bills. This article discusses more on uneven heating in house.
Why Are My Rooms Heating Unevenly?
Keep reading to learn eight common causes for uneven heating in a home.
Wrong-Sized Heating Furnace
A furnace that is too small works harder to keep the room warm. It may also operate longer than a standard heating cycle. The system becomes stressed, and uneven heating occurs. Similarly, an oversized furnace will overheat the rooms, and the thermostat will turn off the system earlier than needed. This may result in system failure.
Ensure that you have the right-sized furnace that can heat your home evenly. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), this helps you achieve improved comfort and lower home heating costs. For instance, a furnace with a 30,000 BTU output works well for a 1,000-square-foot house. Keep in mind that many factors affect the correct furnace size for your home. A trained HVAC professional should conduct a Manual J Load Calculation to determine the furnace size that meets your needs.
Lack Of Furnace Maintenance
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) states that a good furnace should have a minimum of 78% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating for optimum performance. A lack of furnace tune-ups can result in the furnace’s efficiency plunging. This may eventually lead to uneven heating. Make sure that your system receives regular maintenance, so any issues in your HVAC system are determined and resolved. Hire a certified HVAC professional to do the job at least once a year, preferably during early fall when the furnace is not yet used.
Uneven Heating Requirements
Heat naturally floats up. Therefore, the rooms upstairs are likely warmer than those that are located downstairs. The lower-level rooms require more heat than those on the upper level. If you have a multi-story home, uneven heating can happen if the furnace is only connected to one thermostat. Consider a zoning system installation to resolve this issue. This way, all sections in your home have their own thermostat so that each heating requirement is met.
Air Leaks In Windows And Doors
Cracks and openings in windows and doors let cold air in when you heat a room, causing uneven temperatures. You should close off windows, doors, and other spaces so the cold air cannot flow inside the house. This also helps save energy. Close these areas off by sealing the spaces using weatherstripping, caulk, foam tape, door sweeps, door snakes, window film, insulated gas units (IGUs), and insulated windows. These methods help prevent cold air from coming in via the windows and doors, correctly sealing your home’s thermal envelope.
Dirty HVAC Air Filters
Furnace air filters trap dirt and solid particles, so they don’t get into the blower via the return duct. The air filters will have dirt buildup over time, which may block and slow down the airflow in the furnace. Heated air that flows too slowly means that the rooms far from the furnace don’t get heated as needed. Prevent uneven heating by cleaning or replacing the furnace filter once every three months. Increase this frequency during colder months. Remember that each home is unique, so it is recommended to check the filters once a month and replace them as needed.
Clogged Air Vents
Blocked or closed air vents keep adequate warm air from reaching a room, causing uneven heating. Worse, pressure can build up in the ventilation system because of blocked or closed vents. This can cause the HVAC system to break down over time. With this in mind,open all the air vents and make sure that they are unobstructed before checking for other issues in your HVAC system.
Leaks In The Air Ducts
Generally, good air ducts should evenly deliver warm air throughout your home, even in rooms far from the furnace. However, holes in the HVAC duct may prevent this from happening. These holes cause air to leak. Some of the causes for leaky ductwork include:
- Rodents chew on the ducts
- Old age causes deterioration
- Structural work damage
- Ducts were poorly installed
All duct holes should be sealed with caulk to prevent leaks, and damages in the system should be repaired.
Thermostat Fan Settings
A furnace fan set to “AUTO” will only circulate air during the furnace heating cycle. The fan will stop when the furnace stops heating and restart when the next cycle begins. Therefore, there will be many starts and stops, and this can cause uneven warm air distribution around the house. This can also cause wear and tear in the fan in the long run. Prevent this from happening by setting the fan to “ON” instead, especially during the colder months, because air will continuously flow into your HVAC unit. However, keep in mind that the “ON” setting will spike your energy expenses. You can save on energy costs by using a ceiling fan and letting it run clockwise on the lowest setting.
Conclusion
This article includes some of the top reasons for uneven heating in your house. However, it is best to contact a professional HVAC technician to save time and energy. They can easily pinpoint the reason for uneven heating in your rooms. They can also provide the most practical and affordable solutions. A licensed HVAC contractor will also recommend the best maintenance tips for your ventilation system to prevent uneven heating from happening again.
Call Wilcox Energy For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
When you need high-quality heating and cooling services in the southern Connecticut shoreline, don’t hesitate to call Wilcox Energy. We have only the best professionally certified technicians for your HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacement needs. Rest assured, each of our techs can provide accurate and timely HVAC system services using their years of experience and extensive knowledge.
Our company has the most competitive heating and cooling service rates in the area. We can help improve your comfort and energy efficiency while lowering your home’s heating costs with our maintenance services. If you require an HVAC repair or replacement system, we can recommend the most suitable one for your home and budget. As always, your satisfaction is our priority, so all our work is guaranteed. To schedule a service appointment, make sure to contact Wilcox Energy today. We offer free, in-home estimates.
For more information about our HVAC services, be sure to contact Wilcox Energy. You can click here to contact us, or you can call us at (860) 399-6218 to find out more. We offer a full line of heating and cooling repairs, maintenance services, and installations. Click the link to view our service area.