Hot and cold spots throughout a home can create living spaces that are very uncomfortable. In some instances, they can even produce unsafe living circumstances. Finding and fixing these temperature inconsistencies is a key part of keeping your home safe and cozy.
Inspect Insulation
Any time there is poor or insufficient insulation, there is a greater risk of hot and cold spots. This is because inefficient insulation allows heat to leave in the winter and heat to enter in the summer. Weak insulation, cracks and deteriorated materials in walls, attics or crawl spaces are common causes of these problems. To fix these issues, experts will conduct an insulation audit to identify potential weak spots. They might insulate spaces that don’t already have it, fix air leaks using spray foam or caulk or switch to more energy-efficient insulation options like blown-in or foam boards.
Seal Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows
By letting conditioned air out and external air in, air leaks around doors and windows exacerbate hot and cold spots. Drafts like this make your heating and cooling system work harder, which in turn makes your energy bills go up. To fix this, experts can do an energy audit to find any leaks. To fix air leaks around doors, they may use weatherstripping, and for windows, they might use caulk. In extreme circumstances, they may advise you to get new, energy-efficient windows or doors.
Check HVAC Filters
Dirty air filters make it much harder for the heating and cooling system to evenly distribute air throughout your home. Because certain parts of your house won’t get enough air, it may become hot and chilly in other parts. This not only makes the house uncomfortable but also increases heating and cooling costs. Changing air filters out every one to three months (depending on the kind of filter and how often you use it) is the best way to avoid this.
Check for Blocked Vents
Problems with airflow caused by blocked vents will lead to uncomfortable hot and cold patches in your house. Vents can easily become blocked by furniture, carpets and drapes. They will be even less efficient when dust and debris accumulate inside of them, further limiting ventilation. Regularly checking for obstructions and keeping furniture and decorations away from vents will help avoid blockages. Regularly cleaning the vents to get rid of dust and other debris will help too. To redirect airflow around furniture, you may want to use vent deflectors.
Balance Air Vents
Damaged or improperly set dampers and asymmetry in the ductwork can both affect airflow. Experts fix this by checking the duct system’s dampers and making the necessary adjustments to control the airflow to individual rooms. They can also help ensure even air distribution by measuring the airflow via each vent using an airflow meter. Based on these measurements, they may move vents or further modify dampers to achieve optimal airflow balance.
Add Zoning Systems
A zoning system is a major HVAC enhancement that divides your home into separate temperature zones, with each zone having its own thermostat. This makes it possible to direct heated or cooled air precisely to the parts of the house that need it. In doing so, this eliminates the waste of energy on heating and cooling the whole home. It also ensures there are no hot or cold spots. Zoning systems operate via the use of motorized dampers that regulate airflow to different zones. This type of heating and cooling is particularly valuable in multi-story homes. It also works well in houses with rooms that have varying levels of insulation or lots of windows.
Use Smart Thermostats
Thanks to their sophisticated zoning capabilities and pinpoint temperature control, smart thermostats are great for addressing cold and hot spots. They make it possible to control and monitor several rooms’ temperatures from anywhere with only a spoken command or your smartphone. A few versions include sensors that can measure changes in room temperature and then adjust the HVAC system automatically to keep everything at a constant temperature. Some can even learn your heating and cooling preferences and adjust settings according to your use patterns.
Fix Duct Leaks
By allowing conditioned air to escape before it reaches its intended rooms, duct leaks exacerbate hot and cold spots. Leaks like this may happen because of holes, fractures or unconnected parts of the ductwork. The rooms farthest away from the HVAC system might notice the biggest extreme in temperature inconsistencies. When fixing duct leaks, experts use a pressure test to pinpoint the exact location of the leak. They make sure all connections are airtight by sealing any leaks with mastic sealant or metal tape. When dealing with severe duct leaks, it may work best to replace the damaged portion of ducting. Dirty ducts can also contribute since built-up gunk near vents will prevent as much heated or cooled air from coming out, so if this is the case, duct cleaning will help.
Install Additional Returns
Homes that don’t have enough air returns often experience uneven air circulation, which can create hot and cold spots. An expert can evaluate the airflow in your house and analyze the efficiency and dispersion of your present system to determine whether you need more returns. To get the best possible airflow, they will strategically place the new returns. The installation process is very simple, requiring nothing more than drilling a few small holes in the walls/ceilings and linking the new returns to the HVAC.
Upgrade Windows
If your home has windows that aren’t energy efficient, it’s important to consider an upgrade. Today’s newer windows have double or triple glazing that helps maintain even indoor temperatures. They do this by minimizing heat transfer, which also decreases the workload on your HVAC system. As a result, you’ll not only have fewer hot and cold spots but also lower energy bills. In addition to upgrading the windows, it’ll help if you use window treatments like heavy curtains, blinds or cellular shades. These treatments improve window insulation by blocking drafts and reducing heat gain or loss.
Check HVAC System Size
One of the top causes of hot and cold spots is an HVAC system that isn’t the right size. Our technicians will do a Manual J load calculation, taking into account variables like square footage, insulation and window location, to ascertain the exact HVAC system requirements. They will also check the ducting and airflow in your house to choose the right size.
Upgrade Attic Ventilation
A lack of adequate ventilation in an attic can make the upper levels unbearably hot in the summer and chilly in the winter. Fortunately, there are several ways to add extra ventilation to attic areas, including ridge vents, soffit vents and gable vents. Some homes may also benefit from installing a powered attic ventilator.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Another great way to address hot and cold spots is to schedule regular cooing and heating maintenance. A professional will clean and replace air filters, check for duct obstructions, blocked vents and much more. Checking the thermostat’s calibration will go a long way in ensuring the home can maintain stable temperatures. Making sure the refrigerant level is correct will facilitate more precise temperature control. Ideally, you should schedule HVAC maintenance at least once a year.
Contact Specialty Heating & Cooling LLC now to schedule HVAC maintenance services in Portland, OR.
