Are there areas of your home that sometimes feel drafty? Maybe other spaces are a bit on the toasty side. The uneven temperature throughout a dwelling is a fairly common issue for homeowners. It can also be a frustrating one. At Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC, we’re dedicated to improving the indoor comfort of residents of De Pere and the surrounding area. Determining the source of the problem can be tricky. To get you started on the right track, here are some simple ways to avoid hot and cold spots in your home.
1. Check Your Vents
A common problem homeowners may not even consider is airflow restriction of the vents or registers. This can happen if furniture, curtains or other items are either fully or partially blocking them. Do a quick check around your house to be sure your vents are free from obstruction so that warm or cool air can flow freely. You’ll also want to inspect your registers to be sure they’re completely open. Many times, people will attempt to direct airflow by shutting vents slightly. Unfortunately, this isn’t likely to achieve the desired results. Doing so can actually cause additional workload to your HVAC system, leading to poor performance or shortening its lifespan.
2. Clean the Filter
Another common source of airflow restriction is clogged filters. Dust and debris in your system’s filter can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your system, You should clean your filter every three months or so. This simple step can also improve air quality throughout your home and increase your system’s longevity. You might even notice a difference in your utility bill.
3. Prevent Air Leaks
Hot or cold spots are often caused by air leaks through windows or doors. A walk around your house to check for drafts is the first step to determining whether this may be an issue for you. Next, you’ll want to seal the leaks. There are multiple ways you can do this. Replacing weather stripping, adding foam tape, applying caulk or covering with plastic insulation are a few examples.
4. Fine-Tune Your Ceiling Fan Use
There’s a chance you’re not using your ceiling fans in the most efficient manner. Strategic settings can make a big difference when it comes to distributing the airflow evenly throughout your entire home. In the winter, you’ll want to make sure your ceiling fan is turning in a clockwise position and that it is set at the lowest speed. This pushes naturally-rising warm air down for better and more efficient dispersal. In the warmer months of spring and summer, you’ll use the exact opposite approach. Set your fans on high so that they turn counterclockwise. This method circulates cool air sufficiently.
5. Turn the Thermostat Fan On
It’s common for homeowners to keep their thermostat fans on “auto.” With this setting, the fan will run only when the HVAC system is cycling. This is usually the default setting on most thermostats. Switching this setting to “on” ensures that the fan blows all the time, providing consistent airflow to help to reduce hot or cold spots. With improved circulation, you may also notice better air quality in your home. It is important to understand that this method is likely to cause a slight increase to your utility bill.
6. Consider Thermostat Placement
Is your thermostat near a heat source? If so, this could be influencing the temperature in your home. Items like large appliances put off a great deal of warmth, which will send the message to your thermostat that the temperature in the house is actually warmer than it is. For accurate readings and performance, be sure there is no outside heat source in close proximity to your thermostat. Along these lines, programmable thermostats are often more precise when it comes to reading and maintaining temperature. An upgrade could make a difference for homeowners who don’t currently have this feature.
7. Have Ductwork Inspected
There are some tasks that are best left to professional heating and cooling experts. One of these is an inspection of your home’s ductwork. Ducts that are clogged with dirt or that have leaks can’t efficiently deliver warm or cool air. Your system will be working hard and not performing as expected. The extra energy required to compensate for these issues takes a toll on the condition of your system and on your utility bill. Of course, it also contributes to the uneven heating or cooling you are experiencing. An inspection can identify and correct any existing problems.
8. Go Ductless
Ductless systems, also called ductless split systems, are another alternative to taking care of unbalanced temperatures in specific rooms of the house. This type of system is meant to be used in a single room and doesn’t require ductwork to transfer air to vents or registers. It’s a quiet and efficient unit that provides even temperature control for maximum comfort. Adding a ductless split system is a fairly simple solution that can provide a targeted fix for a particular area that tends to be too hot or too cool.
9. Have a Zoning System Installed
If you prefer to avoid adding an additional heating and cooling unit with a ductless system, it is possible to have a zoning system installed inside your ductwork to strategically direct just the right flow of air throughout the various areas of your home. This type of solution utilizes dampers to move the air exactly where you want it to go. A knowledgeable professional has the know-how to install the dampers as well as how to best place them for maximum efficiency.
10. Evaluate the Size of Your System
Finally, it could be that your HVAC system is not the proper size for your home. This mismatch is a common source of inadequate temperature regulation. If your unit is too small, it will struggle to keep up with your heating and cooling needs. The results are poor performance and a system that is worn out before its time. In addition, utility costs are sure to be negatively impacted. Conversely, an oversized unit will supply excess warm or cool air, leading to uncomfortable indoor temperatures and inefficient use of energy. Reputable heating and cooling professionals can advise you on the proper system for your home’s size and install it for you.
Contact the Heating and Cooling Experts
These are tips for managing some of the most typical temperature imbalance problems today’s homeowners face. If you need help getting to the origin of your hot and cold spots and finding a solution for the problem, contact us at Healthy Home Heating & Cooling LLC in De Pere. We provide the services discussed here such as AC and heating repair and installation, along with duct cleaning and ductless system installation. We can also meet a variety of other HVAC maintenance needs.
