Although Texas isn’t well known for cold weather, it is still vital that your heating system works properly on those days when the temperature starts to plummet. Unfortunately, when it comes time to crank up the furnace, many homeowners find that some rooms of their home just never seem to warm up properly. Uneven heating is a common problem that affects many houses, and there are a number of different factors that can contribute to it. The good news is that there are also several possible solutions that may help overcome this issue.

1. GET DUCT INSPECTION AND SEALING

Old, damaged or leaky ductwork is one of the most common causes of uneven heating. In fact, studies have shown that the average American home loses as much as 30% of the heat from its furnace due to duct leaks. These leaks not only force your furnace to work overtime to heat the home, but they can also make it nearly impossible to heat up the rooms near the end of the ductwork. This is because these leaks make it much more difficult for the blower to properly circulate the hot air throughout the entire length of the ductwork. Luckily, these problems can easily be overcome by having your ducts inspected and any leaks or damaged connections sealed up.

2. HAVE YOUR FURNACE REPAIRED OR REPLACED

Uneven heating can also be directly related to your furnace. If the unit is old or not functioning properly anymore, it may not be able to produce enough hot air to adequately heat the home. Similarly, a malfunctioning furnace will often shut off before it fully completes its heat cycle, which also results in insufficient and uneven heating. As with duct leaks, these problems will be most noticeable in the rooms farthest away from the furnace. For this reason, it is also recommended that you have your furnace inspected and either repaired or replaced if needed.

3. MAKE SURE YOUR VENTS ARE UNOBSTRUCTED

If your uneven heating problems are mostly confined to a single space, it’s also a good idea to make sure that your vents are unobstructed. Any furniture that is too close to the vent can obstruct the airflow and prevent the hot air from circulating throughout the room. The same issues can also be encountered if your vents and grates are dirty or clogged, which is why it’s a good idea to vacuum and clean the vents periodically.

4. CHECK COMMON SOURCES OF HEAT LOSS

Heat loss can be another major cause of uneven heating. This is especially true if you have old or drafty windows or insufficient insulation in your walls or attic. Replacing or resealing your windows and doors is an easy way to ensure the cold air stays out and the warm air stays in. As well, you might want to have a professional check the insulation in your attic to ensure it is sufficient as this is one of the biggest sources of heat loss.

5. TURN YOUR BLOWER FAN TO ON INSTEAD OF AUTO

If you’re like most people, you probably have the blower fan on your heating system set to “auto,” which means that the fan only runs whenever the furnace is on. Unfortunately, this isn’t always sufficient to fully circulate the hot air throughout your home. For this reason, you may also want to consider changing the blower to the “on” setting so that the fan runs constantly. Although this will use a bit more energy, it may help alleviate uneven heating issues by continuously circulating warm air throughout the entire home.

6. UPGRADE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM

Uneven heating may also be caused by the design of your HVAC system or even due to your furnace being too small for your home. These problems are especially common in homes that have undergone remodels or additions. Replacing your ductwork or upgrading your furnace may help in these situations. Alternatively, people in larger homes or with multiple stories may opt to install a zone-control system in order to better control the heating in each specific part of the house.

If you’re experiencing uneven heating at your home in Santa Fe, the team at SouthCoast HVAC is always available to help. In addition to heating, we specialize in all types of air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair, and we also offer solutions to help you improve your indoor air quality. To learn more, contact the professionals at SouthCoast HVAC.