HVAC Tune Ups: Why Are There Hot and Cold Spots in My House?

You love your house! The neighborhood, the curb appeal, and the layout are perfect. The one thing you don’t love about your house is the tendency for hot and cold spots. The expectation is to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the house year-round.

Perhaps the rooms on the south side of the house are too warm in the summer and the north side is too cold in the winter. Walking from one room to another is like switching seasons! An HVAC Tune Ups can help.

Hot and cold spots in a home are a common problem that is both annoying and possibly costly. Whether summer or winter, you should investigate temperature variations to prevent problems from developing. This article tells you why you experience uneven temperature and what you can do to fix it.

HVAC Tune Ups: Common Causes of Hot and Cold Spots

• HVAC Tune Ups: Start with obvious and easy fixes. Find your vents and make sure they are not covered. If the TV stand is covering a vent or a bookcase blocks the air return vent on the wall, it will definitely cause temperature variations. Fixing your problem may be as simple as rearranging the furniture.

Inspect windows and doors for ill-fitting installation, gaps that have developed, or joints that need weather-stripping. Gaps not only allow drafts that result in energy loss but may also be exposing your home to water damage and pest infestations. This is also a relatively easy fix.

• HVAC Tune Ups: Inspect your ductwork. Your system has two types of ducts; return ducts pull air from the rooms of your house and supply ducts return the “conditioned” air back to the rooms. As you inspect the ducts, make sure that:

• • Ducts are well connected and sealed. The blower motor creates air pressure in both return and supply ducts, so you will lose air from any hole or crack.Most ducts are made of sheet metal, which heats and cool as the HVAC system circulates air, expanding and contracting with each cycle. Repair any gaps that develop.
  • Since most ducts are made of sheet metal, they should be installed in
    • Conditioned space, such as inside an insulated wall or a conditioned basement or
    • Be insulated when installed in unconditioned space, such as a crawl space or attic. Insulate ducts that you can access when they run through unconditioned space.
  • Having your ducts cleaned will make sure there are no obstructions, blocking air from certain rooms.
• HVAC Tune Ups: Adjust the heating/cooling zones. Hot and cold spots may be caused by improper zoning. What does that mean? If you have one thermostat and it is on the opposite side from the temperature variant room, perhaps the thermostat is not registering that far room. If so, it may be difficult for your HVAC system to heat or cool every room evenly.
  • Adjusting the heating and cooling zones includes adding a thermostat(s) closer to the affected area and putting a damper(s) in the ducts to push air to the areas that need it.  More conditioned air might solve the problem.
  • Another solution might be to add a ductless mini-split AC unit to the affected area. The ductless unit works independently to serve a small area underserved by the central air system. Think of this method as cost-effective support for your home’s existing HVAC system.

Correcting the temperature variation can save money on your heating and cooling, and bringing comfort to your family with a HVAC Tune Ups.

• Properly size your HVAC system. Originally, a technician inspected your home, gathered information on many variables, and recognized the properly sized HVAC unit, probably described in “tons.”If your HVAC system is zoned properly, but still has issues cooling or heating your entire home, it might be improperly sized. If your unit is too small, it will work harder than necessary and not keep up with the heating/cooling needs.

  If your unit is too large, it will cycle too quickly to work properly, leaving hot and cold spots, without time to properly dehumidify the air. A properly sized HVAC unit efficiently conditions the space as needed.

Need an HVAC Tune Up to Get Rid of Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home?

Our four decades of experience as a Houston HVAC Tune Ups contractor AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to get rid of hot and cold spots in your home.

We have financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your electrical repair and installation needs.