Do some rooms in your home feel like the arctic, while others feel like the tropics? These “hot spots” and “cold zones” can be a common problem and result in a very uncomfortable home and high utility bills as you may be constantly adjusting your thermostat.
In this blog post, we'll review common reasons for uneven heating and cooling in your home, what we would inspect, and provide practical solutions to aid in conquering this problem.
Blocked Vents: Furniture, curtains, or other obstructions in front of heating and cooling vents can restrict airflow and greatly affect how air is distributed through the room.
Improper Zoning: Some homes are built where certain rooms or even entire levels have different heating requirements than others. This can make it very difficult for a heating system with only 1 zone to heat your home evenly.
Thermostat Placement: The location of the thermostat can greatly affect its ability to accurately gauge the temperature of the home, leading to imprecise heating and cooling cycles.
Inadequate HVAC Sizing: An HVAC system that is too large or too small for the home's square footage can result in inefficient operation and uneven temperature control.
Leaky Ductwork: Leaks in the ductwork can result in loss of airflow before it reaches your desired room. This creates an inefficient system, uncomfortable temperature, and higher bills.
Poor Insulation: Insufficient insulation allows heat to escape during the winter and infiltrate during the summer, leading to temperature imbalances throughout the home.
What you can try first.
Clear Vents: Walk around your home and move anything that is in front of vents. If furniture is blocking a vent, pull furniture out a foot if possible. Install curtain pull backs for long curtains that may block vents.
Adjust Ventilation: Once vents are unobstructed, check that vents are open and adjust airflow dampers to redirect air as needed.
Seal Air Leaks: Identify and seal air leaks around doors, windows, and other openings using weatherstripping, caulking, or spray foam insulation. Mass Save is a good resource to help find those pesky air leaks.
Upgrade Insulation: Improve insulation in attics, walls, and floors to minimize heat transfer and enhance energy efficiency.
How Dodge Cooling and Heating can help!
Optimize Ductwork: Dodge Cooling and Heating can inspect, seal, insulate ductwork if needed. This will prevent air leaks and ensure proper airflow distribution.
Install Zoned HVAC Systems: Zoned heating and cooling systems allow you to customize temperatures in different areas of the home. This provides individual comfort preferences and reduces energy use. Dodge Cooling and Heating can assess your home layout and figure out the best configuration for optimate comfort.
Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat: Invest in a programmable or smart thermostat to regulate temperature settings based on your home schedules and preferences. Dodge Cooling and Heating can help choose the best location for your thermostat and provide professional installation.
Rebalance System: If your system is properly zoned, sized, and insulated, it may just need a professional like Dodge Cooling and Heating to come in and rebalance the vents.
Don't live in discomfort, call Dodge Cooling and Heating today for help solve your hot spot and cold zone problems!