Is there a noticeable temperature difference in certain areas of your home? Central heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems are designed to create a consistent temperature. If you feel any hot or cold spots, it’s usually a sign of an underlying problem. The good news is that you can typically eliminate hot and cold spots without having to replace your HVAC system.
Check the Vents
Start by checking the vents to ensure they are open and unobstructed. To create a consistent temperature, your HVAC system needs to move air through the vents. It will suck up air through the return vents and release air out the supply vents. If any of these vents are closed or obstructed, the conditioned air may not reach all of the rooms.
Look for Air Leaks
Hot and cold spots can occur if there’s an air leak in your home. Air leaks involve a breach between your home’s interior and its exterior. With an air leak, conditioned air will be expelled out of your home, and it will be replaced with unconditioned air that enters your home through the leak. Doors and windows, for instance, can create air leaks if they aren’t properly sealed.
Change the Air Filter
Sometimes all it takes to eliminate hot and cold spots is a new air filter. Most HVAC systems have a single air filter. It’s found near the air handler or blower. As your HVAC system pulls air through the return vents, it will pass the air through a filter.
Because they are designed to remove particulate matter from the air, air filters can get dirty. If your HVAC system has a dirty air filter, air won’t be able to easily flow through it. The lack of airflow may then lead to hot or cold spots. Fortunately, you can change the air filter to improve airflow and achieve a more consistent temperature.
Consider HVAC System
While hot and cold spots can usually be eliminated by improving airflow, this isn’t always the case. If your HVAC system isn’t the right size, you may notice an inconsistent temperature in certain areas of your home.
Both the furnace and the air conditioning system must be the appropriate size for your home. If either of them is too big or too small, they may cause temperature fluctuations in different areas of your home. If you believe your furnace or air conditioning system isn’t the right size, contact an HVAC technician for a professional inspection.
