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

Are some rooms in your home colder than others? Heating unevenly happens when some rooms feel nice and cozy while others are significantly colder. Several reasons could be to blame for this heating challenge. Here, we’ll explore what could be causing these temperature imbalances and show you how to resolve the issue.

Something’s Blocking Your Home’s Vents

Your problem: Your furnace distributes heated air throughout your home using vent and return registers. If these are blocked or shut, the restricted air movement creates hot and cold spots in your home.

How to fix it: Confirm that all the vents are open, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough heat. Then, check to make sure there aren’t any furnishings, rugs or blinds blocking airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the vents in the other rooms are open and feel like they are putting out a similar amount of air. If a register is unobstructed but not a lot of air is flowing from it, there may be a problem with a control mechanism or the duct isn’t forcing the air to the right place.

A Clogged Air Filter Is Straining Your HVAC System

Your problem: Your furnace air filter catches dust, pollen and other airborne particles so that your air is clean. But a blocked filter filled with these particles can severely restrict airflow, making your heating system work harder and leading to uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the furnace or other heating system will be colder.

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

There’s Not Enough Insulation in Your Home

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation lets warm air escape, especially in rooms exposed to outside walls or the attic. This makes certain rooms more difficult to heat, even when the rest of the home feels comfortable.

How to fix it: Update your attic insulation to keep 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, leaky doors are often to blame for letting cold air inside, cooling the indoor temperature. This problem is most common in older homes, which frequently have windows and doors that don’t close as snug as they need to.

How to fix it: Stop drafts in and around doors and windows with sealing tape or caulk. Thermal curtains and thermal blinds also help keep cold air out of your home. When these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, you may want to think about replacing your windows and exterior doors.

You Have Leaky Ductwork

Your problem: Ductwork transports heated air to your entire home. If there’s a leak, warmth can leak out before it gets to some rooms of your home.

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

Your Thermostat Is in a Bad Spot

Your problem: The thermostat controls the heating system throughout your home. If it’s in a windy or unusually hot 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 cold window or energy-producing appliance, it might be a good idea to find a new place for it. An HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to a more central location where it can more accurately read your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, consider a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and customized heating schedules.

You Need a Different Size of Furnace

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may have difficulty heating all of your home, leaving some rooms colder than others. On the other end of the spectrum, 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 heating and air system.

How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling specialist assess the size and capacity of the furnace in your home compared to your home’s size, the climate where you live, the home’s R-value, windows and other factors. If your furnace is oversized or underpowered, consider upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.

Heat Only Reaches Some Floors of Your Home

Your problem: Heat rises, which is why the second floor of your home is often comfortable while the main floor is chilly.

How to fix it: Zoning your heating system allows you to control the temperature in different parts of your home with separate thermostats and ductwork valves. This way, you can direct warm air where you need it.

Your Furnace Needs a Tune-Up From a Pro

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

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

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

No one likes spending time in a ice-cold 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 properly. Our ACE-certified technicians provide efficient, dependable solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot 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.