Although some variations in room temperatures are normal in any home, the presence of serious hot and cold spots isn’t. They could be a sign of serious air leaks in your home’s envelope or a problem with the HVAC system. Finding the root causes and dealing with them not only restores comfort, but it will also cut your energy costs.
- Heat gain. Homes that have a large exposure to the south and west tend to have more issues with uneven temperatures, especially if they have large expanses of windows that receive direct solar exposure. An energy efficient and convenient solution for uneven heat distribution in your home is a zoning system for the HVAC system.Each zone has its own thermostat and a zone damper that opens only when that particular area needs heated or cooled air. Besides solving problems caused by the floor plan, zoning systems work well for two-story homes, those with infrequently used areas, or for families whose members have different thermal preferences.
- Air leaks. There may be hidden air leaks in your home’s envelope. Check the exterior for cracks around the windows or exterior door frames, and seal with caulk or weatherstripping. Pipes, wires and cables entering or leaving your home can also cause air leakage, creating hot and cold spots in a specific area. Expanding foam will close these gaps, but be sure you purchase the appropriate foam for the project, especially if you’re sealing around electrical cables.
- Ductwork leaks. Leaks in the HVAC system’s ductwork can occur at any time. When they do, the conditioned air flowing to the rooms the ducts service won’t reach its destination, creating uncomfortable spaces.Leaking ducts drive up energy costs and degrade indoor air quality. If you can reach them, seal with metal tape or use mastic. Never use duct tape, since it won’t last long. It’s a good idea to have your ductwork tested periodically by your HVAC pro to find and seal air leakage.
If you have uncomfortable hot and cold spots in your home, contact Ace Hardware Home Services, providing trusted HVAC services for Dayton-area homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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