Imagine this scenario: you go to turn on your heater and it cranks to life. After a few minutes though, you notice that your living room is much warmer than your kitchen. You also notice that there are pockets in your living room where the temperature seems lower. This might cause you to wonder: Why is there uneven heating in my house?
Uneven heating can be the result of several things, all of them problems with your heating system. With that in mind, read on to learn the most common causes and solutions to uneven heating in your home.
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Main Causes of Uneven Heating in Homes
So, why is your house seeing uneven heating? Below are some of the most common culprits of uneven and inefficient heating.
Restricted Air Flow
The most common reason for subpar heating is a clogged filter or duct blockage restricting the airflow. Restricted airflow means rooms further away from the heater get less air, which may cause cold spots and pockets throughout your house.
The good thing about clogged filters is you can replace them yourself. You should change your filter at least once every six months for the best results. For duct blockages, you should hire an expert. It is easy to accidentally damage your ducts trying to remove larger blockages if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Holes in Ducts
Your ductwork serves to move hot air from your HVAC system to the rest of your home. Holes and cracks in your ductwork can leak heat, causing some rooms to drop in temperature compared to others. The larger and more numerous holes, the more uneven temperatures can be.
You can visually inspect your ducts to identify cracks and holes. They most commonly form at the joints of the individual duct sections. If you bought your house and some ducts have tape on them, they probably have cracks that have been patched before.
You can also hire a professional to conduct a duct leakage test. Duct leakage tests use special fans to test the internal pressure of your system. If the pressure and airflow are off, then it’s likely there is a hole in your system.
Damaged Zone Controls
Many modern homes have zoned HVAC systems that split their home into sectors for more targeted heating. Zoned HVAC systems let you set the temperature and control the airflow of each zone separately. The system uses dampers to control the flow of air.
If the dampers sustain damage, it can affect the flow of air, leading to inefficient and uneven heating. Poor zoning installation can also result in heating inefficiencies through improperly calibrated dampers.
Additionally, the architecture of your home might not work well with a zoned system. HVAC zones are usually the best for larger homes with enough space to split into zones.
Wrong Sized Heater
Another common reason why there is uneven heating in your house is from installing a wrong-sized heater. If a furnace is too large for your house, it won’t be able to efficiently heat your home. The oversized heater heats your home too quickly and shuts off before it can heat each room evenly. Additionally, the constant shutting on and off can raise your energy bills.
Similarly, a small heater will have to work harder to fill a larger home, leading to cold spots and drops in temperatures. You can estimate the size of the heater you need to be 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to size the system.
Incorrect Thermostat Calibration
Your thermostat controls your HVAC with an electric sensor that detects temperatures and turns on the system to keep it in a specific range. If the thermostat is in the wrong place, it can register incorrect temperature readings and won’t fully heat your home.
The ideal spot for a thermostat is about five feet off the ground on a stretch of wall not near any windows, doors, or air vents. For example, placing your thermostat near a vent while the heater is on might confuse it into thinking average house temperatures are higher than they actually are, so it will prematurely shut off your heater.
The alternative is your thermostat sensor is broken. Dirt can cover the electric sensor, causing it to take inaccurate readings and adjust heater performance accordingly.
Short Cycling
Most heaters cycle on and off about two to three times an hour or about once every 20 minutes. Sometimes, cold pockets are created if the heater starts short cycling and shutting off before it should.
Short cycling in a heater can be a result of several things, including:
- Faulty flame sensor
- Dirty air filters
- Malfunctioning blower motor
- Clogged vents
- Poor thermostat placement
- Electrical issues
Short cycling might be due to complex mechanical or electrical issues, so you should contact a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.
Poor Insulation
In some cases, the cause of uneven heating might not be your heater at all but your insulation. Poor insulation in your house can allow warm air to escape from your home, creating temperature differences in pockets of space.
Similarly, cracks and gaps in doors and windows can have the same effect. If you notice that cold pockets are closer to the walls, doors, and windows, the problem could be your insulation and drafts.
The solution is to update your insulation, particularly in vulnerable areas of your home like attics or crawl spaces. You can also fill cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk to patch up drafty spots.
Air Pockets in Radiators
If you have a boiler system, uneven heating could be due to air pockets in the radiators and baseboards. Fortunately, you can remove air pockets from radiators by bleeding them. Most radiators have a bleed valve specifically for removing air.
All you have to do is open the bleed valve and wait until water starts to come out. Radiating baseboards also have a bleed valve to remove air pockets. Generally, you should bleed your radiators and baseboards at least once per six months to maximize system performance.
Wear & Tear
In many cases, uneven heating is a result of an aging system that is on its last leg. The typical gas furnace lasts about 10 to 15 years on average, while the typical electric furnace lasts 15 to 20 years. Steam boilers, on the other hand, have a lifespan of about 15 years.
If your furnace is nearing 15 years old, we highly recommend looking into replacement. Even if your furnace is in good condition, replacing it with a new model can end up saving you money in terms of energy efficiency and fewer breakdown and repair sessions.
As a general rule of thumb, if the repair cost for your heater is at least half of the cost of installing a new unit, you should opt for a replacement. Modern energy-efficient heater models can reduce your monthly heating bills and are more environmentally friendly.
Consequences of Uneven Heating
If the temperature difference between rooms in your home isn’t much, then uneven heating might not seem like a big deal. After all, you can just turn up the heating, right? However, inefficient heating has a lot of systemic effects.
Higher Energy Bills
One major consequence of uneven heating is higher energy bills. Modern heating and cooling systems are designed to maintain specific temperatures. When the system notices the temperature drops, it will kick on the furnace until it’s back to the level on the thermostat.
Uneven heating in your room means the thermostat can just keep the heater on, even if other parts of the house are at the right level. The result is your energy bills can start to spike, especially during periods of frequent heater usage.
System Strain
Uneven heater performance can also put a strain on your system. Instead of shutting down at the right temperature, the system keeps working, taxing your system more than it should be. Running your heater for too long increases the risk of breakdowns and can also reduce your system’s lifespan.
Less Home Comfort
Cold pockets in your house can be uncomfortable, especially if they are in places like your bedroom or living room. It can also be frustrating having to get up and change the thermostat whenever the temperature shifts. Fixing uneven heating means you can set your thermostat and forget about it. That means no more waking up in the middle of the night to adjust temperatures.
No. 1 Heating Repair and HVAC Services in Georgia
Now that you know the answer to, “Why is there uneven heating in my house?” take the next step. When you need heating repair in Pooler, GA, Georgia Air is here to assist. We can also help you find a high-efficiency HVAC system for your home. Contact us online or call today at (912) 513-3753 to schedule an appointment!