Have you noticed specific areas of your home that always tend to be warmer or cooler than others–despite your efforts to moderate it with your heat or air conditioning? This is a common phenomenon! In southern California, most of us depend on our central HVAC system to create a comfortable living environment, and having these hot and cold spots can be a source of frustration–not to mention the cause for families fighting over the thermostat! This blog will go over how to avoid hot and cold spots in your homes so that you can enjoy an even temperature throughout the entire house.
Check for Blocked Air Vents
Your central HVAC system uses ductwork to deliver the cooled or heated air throughout your home. These ducts cycle air from your home back into the HVAC system again through another type of vent called a return. If these vents are blocked, the air in your ducts will not be able to enter your room, let alone begin to regulate the temperature. This is one of the most common causes for hot and cold spots in homes. So if a room is having temperature issues, start by locating your supply and return vents. They can be located on the walls, ceiling, or floors, depending on your home. Once you locate them, make sure that:
a.) They are open
b.) Not blocked
Many homeowners close the vents of rooms they don’t use, thinking that it will save them on energy costs. However, it is recommended that you keep all vents open as closing them can damage your HVAC’s blower system.
Check Your Filter for Cleanliness
A dirty air filter can account for airflow issues, thus causing hot and cold spot issues. When your air filter is clogged, your HVAC system has to work double the force to pass the air through. As you can imagine, not only does this put strain on the equipment, but also it results in reduced airflow to your entire home. Less airflow means it will take longer for the temperature in your home to regulate. There are numerous reasons why keeping your air filter clean is important. Besides reducing hot and cold spots in your home, it:
- Improves your air quality
- Increase the efficiency of your furnace
- Extends the life of your HVAC system
- Helps keep energy costs down
Add Window Coverings to Sunny Rooms
Do certain rooms of your home get a lot of direct sunlight? If so, this can be a big cause for hot spots in those rooms. Luckily, there are several solutions to this common problem, such as:
- Putting up shades/blinds
- Putting drapes
- Tinting/replacing your windows
- Installing supplemental cooling like a ductless mini-split air conditioner
Seal All Air Leaks
Hot and cold spots can take place due to air leaks due to drafty windows. Check for gaps and cracks around windows and doors– any potential access point for air to seep in from the outside–and seal off as many of these as possible! Faulty window seals are common sources of this issue.
Make Sure Thermostat is Placed in a Good Location
Generally speaking, thermostats should be placed in an area of your home that is not exposed to direct sunlight or any other heat source. Your thermostat’s mission is to tell your HVAC system how much cool or warm air to deliver in order to achieve the set temperature. To accomplish this, the thermostat needs an accurate reading of the ambient temperature. If your thermostat is placed near a heat (or cold) source, you can:
- Remove the heat source – For example, if the heat source is a window, then you can cover up the window. If the issue is a lamp, then move it away from the thermostat.
- Move the thermostat – In some cases, you may need to move the thermostat to another location. Ask your HVAC professional for their recommendation.
Hot and cold spots can make your home uncomfortable, even with your HVAC system running. Eliminating these issues is necessary to make your home more comfortable and save money on your electricity bill. We hope this blog helped you see how to avoid hot and cold spots in your home. These issues aren’t always easy to detect and resolve, so having an HVAC professional check it out is the best route for removing hot and cold spots in your home. Whatever your HVAC needs are, Atlas HVAC is here to help! Give us a call at (877) 452-8527 or click here to get in touch.
