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

Does your home heat unevenly? Heating unevenly occurs when some rooms feel nice and cozy while others are significantly colder. Several culprits could be to blame for this heating problem. Here, we’ll help you learn what could be triggering these temperature imbalances and provide tips on how you can resolve the issue.

Air Vents Aren’t Open

Your problem: Your furnace circulates heated air throughout your home in supply and return registers. If these are blocked or covered up, the restricted air movement creates hot and cold areas in your home.

How to fix it: Make sure all your home’s vents are open, especially if certain rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough heat. Next, check to make sure there aren’t any furnishings, rugs or blinds blocking airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the registers in the other rooms are open and feel like they are putting out a similar amount of air. If a register is clear but not a lot of air is coming out, there may be a problem with a valve or the duct isn’t directing the air to the right place.

Your HVAC Air Filter Is Clogged

Your problem: Your furnace air filter catches dust, pollen and other airborne particles to keep your air clean. However, a dirty filter filled with these particles can severely restrict airflow, making your furnace work harder and resulting in uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the heat source will be colder.

How to fix it: Inspect and replace the air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when your heating system operates a lot.

Your Home Has Poor Insulation

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

How to fix it: Enhance your attic insulation to stop heat from rising out of your home. If the material currently insulating your home is in good shape, you may be able to simply layer additional insulation right on top of it.

Drafty Doors and Windows Are Letting Cold Air In

Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, drafty doors are a common culprit for letting cold air inside, cooling the indoor temperature. This problem is most prevalent in older homes, which commonly have windows and doors that don’t close as snug as they need to.

How to fix it: Avoid drafts in and around doors and windows with sealing tape or caulk. Insulated curtains and thermal blinds also help prevent cold air from getting in your home. When these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.

There’s a Leak in Your Air Ducts

Your problem: Ductwork carries heated air to your entire home. If your ductwork has a leak, warm air can escape 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 leaks, which can usually be sealed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need duct replacement.

Your Thermostat Is Giving Misleading Readings

Your problem: The thermostat manages the heating system throughout your home. If it’s in a drafty or unusually hot spot, it may give inaccurate 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 windy window or heat-generating appliance, think about relocating it. An HVAC specialist from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to a better place where it can more accurately gauge your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, choose a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and personalized heating schedules.

Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may not heat all of your home, leaving some areas colder than others. On the other hand, a furnace that’s too big often turns on and off continuously, resulting in temperature fluctuations and higher wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your heating and air system.

How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling specialist evaluate your home’s furnace size compared to your home’s size, the climate where you live, the home’s insulation levels, windows and other factors. If your furnace is oversized or underpowered, think about upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.

Heating Challenges of Multilevel Homes

Your problem: Heat rises, which is why the second floor of your home can be warm 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 using multiple thermostats and ductwork dampers. This way, you can direct warm air where you want.

You Need to Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your problem: Like any system with moving parts, your furnace needs regular tune-ups to operate smoothly. When you don’t provide routine care, your HVAC system may experience issues that reduce 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 begins. Regular maintenance also helps identify and fix problems before they cause potentially costly performance issues or major breakdowns.

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

No one likes to be in a chilly room. If an easy fix doesn’t do the trick, count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to get the job done right. Our ACE-certified technicians provide efficient, trustworthy solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let a stubbornly cold room 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.