The US Department of Energy states that the thermostat should be set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. This way, you save energy and also prevent problems like hypothermia and frozen pipes. Remember that the heating system should generate a balanced temperature throughout your home. You might have noticed that there is uneven heating in house. This will likely cause discomfort, so you will increase your thermostat’s temperature, which will spike your energy bills. Therefore, it is crucial that you determine why there are uneven temperatures in your home.
Why Are My Rooms Heating Unevenly?
Contents
In this article, we list eight reasons that lead to uneven heating in homes.
Wrong-Sized Heating Furnace
An undersized furnace will work too hard to keep the home warm and might run longer than needed. This causes system distress and uneven heating. At the same time, having an oversized furnace will cause overheating throughout the rooms of a home. It will also result in the thermostat switching off prematurely. These issues can eventually cause system failure.
It is recommended that you have the right size of furnace in your home. This way, you are sure that it can heat your home evenly so that you and your family feel enhanced comfort and enjoy reduced home heating costs, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). For instance, a furnace with a 30,000 BTU output is suitable for a house that is sized at 1,000 square feet. However, many factors are needed to determine the right size for your home. A licensed HVAC professional can conduct a Manual J Load Calculation so that you’ll get the furnace size to fit your home’s requirements.
Lack Of Furnace Maintenance
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends at least a 78% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency if you want a good furnace working at optimum performance. A furnace that does not receive regular HVAC maintenance can cause inefficiency and uneven heating. Timely HVAC tune-ups will ensure that all issues in your HVAC unit are determined and resolved immediately. Call a certified HVAC contractor to service and maintain your furnace annually. Schedule it during early fall, when the heating system isn’t in use yet.
Uneven Heating Requirements
Heat rises naturally. Therefore, your upstairs rooms are likely to be warmer than those located on the lower floors of a multi-story house. The rooms in the lower levels need more heat from the furnace than those in the upper levels. More specifically, uneven heating happens if your house only has one thermostat. This issue can be solved using an HVAC zoning system wherein each section in your home has its own thermostat that runs on specific heating requirements.
Air Leaks In Windows And Doors
If there are cracks and other openings throughout a home, cold air can enter and cause uneven temperatures. It is crucial to keep windows and doors closed during colder months so that cold air does not flow inside your home. Doing so also helps save energy. To stop cold air from coming inside via the doors and windows, you can seal the spaces using caulk, weatherstrips, door sweeps, window film, foam tape, door snake, insulated glass units, or insulated windows. In other words, make sure that your home is adequately sealed.
Blocked Air Vents
Closed air vents prevent enough hot air from reaching its destination, causing you to experience uneven heating around your home. The worst-case scenario can result in pressure building up in the ventilation system. As a result, your HVAC system will break down. With this in mind, check all your vents and make sure they are unobstructed before looking into other possible problems your HVAC system might have.
Dirty HVAC Air Filters
HVAC air filters capture the dust and other solid particles so that they do not reach the blower via the return duct. As a result, the air filters accumulate dirt as time passes and this buildup can obstruct and slow down the airflow in your furnace. Heated air that flows too slowly means that rooms that are farther away from the furnace won’t get the heated air they need. Prevent uneven heating by cleaning or replacing the furnace filter. Check monthly and replace the filter when it is dirty. You may need to increase this frequency once the colder months arrive. It is also good to remember that every home requires different frequencies when it comes to filter replacements.
Leaks In The Air Ducts
Good air ducts will deliver warm air evenly throughout your house, including rooms that are far from the heating system. However, problems such as holes in the ductwork can prevent this from happening. This causes air to leak. Some of the causes of openings along the ducts are poor installation and structural damage. It can also be because rodents chewed the ducts or the ducts have deteriorated due to aging. Prevent duct leaks and seal all holes using caulk. Make sure to repair any HVAC system damages as well.
Thermostat Fan Settings
A furnace fan set to “auto” will circulate air only when the furnace is heating. It will stop when the heating stops and only restart distributing air when the next cycle begins. The multiple starts and stops can result in uneven heating around the house. It will 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 winter. This will allow air to flow into your furnace continuously. However, remember that putting it in the “on” setting will cause an increase in your energy bills. You can opt to use a ceiling fan instead. Make sure it’s running in the clockwise direction and at its lowest setting to help save on energy costs.
Conclusion
Some of the primary reasons behind uneven heating in your home are listed above. It is best to have a professional HVAC technician help you. They can easily find the cause of uneven heating in your house. They can also recommend the most practical solutions at affordable rates. A qualified professional will also offer you the best tune-up tips for your ventilation system to ensure that uneven heating does not occur in your home again.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
When you need superior heating and cooling services in Greater Princeton, NJ area, do not hesitate to contact PFO Heating & Air Conditioning. We have the best professionally certified technicians for all your excellent HVAC service needs, such as maintenance, repairs, replacements, and installations. All our techs are knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced to correctly work on any HVAC make and model.
Our company guarantees to have the most competitive HVAC service rates in the area. We can improve the comfort and energy efficiency in your home or office while reducing your energy costs. If you need to repair or replace your HVAC system, we can recommend the best solution for your home that’s within your budget. All our work comes with a guarantee. To schedule a service appointment, call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning today. We offer free, in-home estimates.
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