Uneven heating can manifest in a home in different ways. There may be cold spots in certain rooms and large living areas. You may have whole rooms that feel cooler than the rest. Homeowners may also notice sharp temperature differences between their upper levels and ground floors. You don’t have to live with these comfort issues. A heating professional can identify the underlying causes and correct them.
Clogged or Too Restrictive Filtration
Static air pressure is an important concept in home heating. If pressure is too high or too low, a system will be unable to distribute heating evenly throughout a home. All home heating systems have filtration to keep the equipment clean and improve indoor air quality. The main filter is among the leading causes of high static air pressure and, therefore, uneven heating.
The first thing a technician will check is whether you have a clogged filter. If you do, swapping in a fresh filter will correct the uneven heating. In the future, you’ll need to check the filter more often and replace it before it clogs. Another issue may be the filter itself. All HVAC filters have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) that indicates filter effectiveness. If the MERV is too high for the system, it has a similar effect to that of running it with a clogged filter.
Insufficient Heating Output
Every home requires a certain heating output based on its square footage, ceiling heights, floor plan, building envelope and many other factors. If the output is too low, there won’t be enough heat at any given moment, resulting in uneven heating. A heating technician will perform a comprehensive inspection of your system and figure out what’s causing the reduced output. Common issues that can lead to reduced heating output include:
- Faulty sensors
- Ignition problems
- Blower malfunctions
- Improper thermostat control
Air Balancing Issues
Air balancing may be a problem in homes with central heating. Installers design ductwork to handle a certain pressure, and when that deviates, it causes unevenness. A common mistake homeowners make is closing vents in unused rooms, thinking it will save them money. Unless you have a zoned system that can adapt to that change, it can actually increase your costs. Other causes of improper air balancing include dust accumulation in ducts and slow blower fan speed.
Air Leakage
Another problem with ducts is air leakage. While there’s some leakage in all ducts, it can be as high as 40% in older ducts that are in poor condition. Worn duct seals are the most common cause of leakage, and a professional can correct that problem by using various duct sealing techniques.
If you’re experiencing uneven heating in your home, contact Olympus Electric & Air in Abilene, TX for help.
