Have you ever noticed that some rooms in your house get warmer or cooler than others? This is called uneven heating. If you want to fix this problem, you should consider installing radiant heat panels.
Radiant heat panels are installed under floors, walls, ceilings, and roofs. They are designed to distribute heat evenly throughout the room. Radiant heat panels come in floor mats, wall mats, ceiling mats, and roof mats.
Uneven heating occurs because of air movement within a home. As warm air rises, cold air moves down into lower areas. The result is that some parts of the house stay warmer than other parts.
The most common cause of uneven heating is air leakage. Air leaks can occur through cracks around windows, doors, pipes, and vents. Leaks will allow cool air from outside to enter the house.
In addition to air leaks, uneven heating may be caused by an inefficient furnace. A poorly working furnace produces less hot air, making it harder to heat all rooms equally.
Reasons Why Your Home’s Heating Is Uneven
There are several reasons why the heating in your home becomes uneven. Some homeowners blame bad weather conditions while others blame faulty equipment. Still, others blame improper installation.
All three factors may contribute to uneven heating. To figure out which factor is causing your problems, take a look at the following.
Dirty Furnace
A dirty furnace creates dirt particles that block airflow and result in less efficient heat distribution.
Faulty Thermostat
When the thermostat fails to work properly, the temperature in your home fluctuates wildly. It makes it hard to control the room temperature.
Inadequate Ventilation
Poor ventilation causes indoor air quality to deteriorate, leading to dust accumulation and blocking air circulation.
Improper Duct Routing
Your ducts should run along with the ceiling and floor. Improper duct routing prevents air from circulating efficiently.
Air Leakage
Leaky windows or doors allow cold air into the home. The heating unit works harder to compensate for the air leak.
Uneven heating does not cause serious health issues. However, if left unchecked, it can lead to higher energy bills. Contact a professional heating contractor if you want to save money on your heating bill.
Now that you know possible causes of uneven heat, here are some tips for fixing it in your house.
1. Install a Zoning System
Zoning systems work well with radiant heat mats. They help keep a uniform temperature in each part of the room. In addition, they prevent the build-up of moisture inside the walls and on surfaces.
A zoning system consists of two plastic strips attached to either side of the mat. The strips have holes along their length. These holes are sized differently so that only certain mat portions can pass through them.
You can buy these types of strips from local hardware stores, and you can use screws to attach them to the mat. When installing the strips, place them on opposite sides of the mat. Make sure to leave enough space between the strips to accommodate any expansion gap.
2. Make Sure Your Furnace Is Working Properly
Another way to solve the problem of uneven heating is to replace the old furnace with a new one. Older furnaces may not produce enough hot air to heat the whole house effectively.
Replacing the furnace is expensive; however, it’s worth the cost if you do not have access to better heating solutions like radiant heat mats.
3. Check for Cracks Around Windows and Doors
It is possible to find cracks around windows and doors. These cracks allow air to leak into the house. When air enters the house, it creates a draft.
This draft causes cold air to move into higher areas, and the result is uneven heating. To avoid this problem, seal off any cracks around windows and doors with caulk.
4. Check for Air Leaks
Air leaks are often overlooked. Even though they create drafts, many people don’t realize how much they affect the quality of the indoor environment.
To determine whether there are air leaks, look for stains on the floor. Stains indicate that moist air has entered the room. This type of stain should never appear indoors.
To fix air leaks, first, determine the source of the leak using a blower. Blowers are available at most tool rental shops. Next, remove the damaged area and repair it properly.
5. Find and Fix Underlying Problems
While installing a new furnace or replacing leaking ductwork will resolve your problems with uneven heating, it does not address the underlying issues.
Uneven heating could also be caused by poor insulation. If the house is cold during winter, then the problem might lie with the insulation.
Other factors such as plumbing, electrical wiring, and appliances could cause uneven heating. Look for signs of water damage before making any repairs.
Fixing uneven heating is relatively easy. However, it takes time and effort. Therefore, it is best to hire a professional to complete the job.
6. Ensure Proper Attic Insulation
The attic plays an important role when it comes to insulating our homes. It helps to retain heat while keeping us cool.
If the attic is exposed to sunlight, it gets warm, making it difficult to maintain its normal temperature. As a result, we experience lower temperatures in the rest of the house.
Insulated attics reduce the amount of heat going up the roof and reduce the risk of fires. Water damage is one of the major reasons why attics get warm. It is very common for homeowners to forget about their attic until it gets too hot.
You can easily check the condition of your attic insulation. Lift the insulation panel and inspect the material. You can use proper tools to ensure that everything is in good shape.
7. Seal Off Any Holes in Attic Walls
Attics are prone to moisture as moisture can seep through holes in walls, accumulate inside the attic, and increase its temperature.
Holes in the wall must be sealed quickly. Otherwise, they will become breeding grounds for mold growth. You can use caulk, which is affordable, to seal any holes in the attic.
8. Install Properly Sized Ducts
Ducts transfer heat from the furnace to the rooms. They also help keep out humidity. If you have installed the wrong size duct, you may notice that the house feels cooler than usual.
A large duct may also increase noise levels in the home. Smaller ducts distribute heat more evenly throughout the house. Before installing a new furnace, consider the size of your existing duct system. Make sure that the new furnace fits within the existing duct.
Is your home heating system having issues? If you’re experiencing uneven temperatures throughout your house, then you might want to reach out to Liberty Comfort Systems. We offer a variety of solutions to help you fix uneven heating in your home.
Liberty Comfort Systems was founded in 2012 by two brothers who wanted to provide their customers with high-quality heating systems at affordable prices. Our company has grown into a leading provider of residential heating services in Anoka, MN and the surrounding areas.
With over 20 years of experience, Liberty Comfort Systems offers a wide range of heating solutions to help homeowners get back to enjoying comfortable indoor spaces. We also offer cooling, plumbing, indoor air quality, and commercial services. Reach out to us today.
