A common problem for many homeowners is hot or cold spots throughout the house. Some rooms may feel comfortable, while others won’t warm up or cool down no matter what temperature you set on the thermostat. What causes these hot and cold spots in a house and how do you prevent them? Our HVAC experts provide some answers.
Causes of Hot and Cold Spots
Most often, having hot or cold rooms in your house is a distribution issue. Trouble spots are usually located far away from the thermostat. This is because the thermostat is measuring the temperature in the core of the home. Farther away rooms are like fingers and toes; it’s much harder to heat or cool them.
There could also be other issues causing uneven heating and cooling throughout a home. These include:
- Blocked air vents
- Dirty air filter
- Leaky windows and doors
- Sources of heat or cold near the thermostat
To rule out these issues, look at the vents in the trouble rooms and make sure nothing is blocking the airflow. It’s also a good idea to check your air filter to see if it needs to be changed. Also take a look at the room where your thermostat is located and see if there are any sources of heat or cold that could be giving an inaccurate reading. For example, if your thermostat is in a room that receives a lot of direct sunlight, that could be causing the thermostat to register a higher temperature and not distribute as much heat to the rest of the house.
If the issue is something simple, you can fix it yourself. For instance, you could install better blinds in a room that receives too much sunlight. However, more complex issues will require help from a qualified HVAC technician.
Some more complicated causes of uneven heating and cooling include:
- Leaky or damaged ducts
- Improperly sized HVAC system
- Poor insulation
Fixing Hot and Cold Spots
When you contact an HVAC expert, they will diagnose the cause of your hot or cold rooms and then propose the best solution. There are several options for addressing this issue.
Balance the System
If your HVAC system uses ducts, one possible solution is to balance the system. Balancing is the process of modifying airflow throughout your home so that each room is receiving the right amount of air. This is a very complex process that may involve modifications to the ductwork. Generally, technicians will add resistance to certain ducts so that more air is forced into the rooms that are too hot or cold.
Zoning
Another option is to use a zoned heating/cooling system. This means installing multiple thermostats throughout the home. Each thermostat controls different dampers in the air ducts so that you have more control over the temperature of each room.
Additional Heating/Cooling System
Some rooms are especially difficult to heat or cool. In certain cases, the best solution is to invest in a separate heating and cooling system for trouble spots. Ductless systems are a good addition since they do not require ductwork to install. This saves time and money.
New System
If your heating and cooling system is improperly sized or outdated, your HVAC technician may recommend replacing it entirely. This is sometimes the best way to achieve optimal comfort and efficiency. Oversized or undersized systems will cause distribution issues. Systems that are over 10 years old should probably be replaced for greater efficiency.
If you have hot or cold spots in your home, contact RSC Heating & Air Conditioning. Our NATE Certified technicians will identify the cause and suggest the best solution. We serve central Pennsylvania, including Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Chester and Dauphin counties. Call (717) 299-3914 today to get the home comfort you deserve.
