Reasons Your Home Feels Hotter Or Colder Than Normal
Even when you have an HVAC installed, you may at some point realize your home gets hotter or colder than normal. This temperature imbalance can result from different causes.
In this article, we’ll be looking at common causes of temperature imbalance in the home and what you can do.
1. Your filter needs a good clean or replacement
Experts say that most (about 80%) of all heating problems result from a dirty filter. So one of the first things to check when your home feels too hot or cold is your air filter.
Filters should be cleaned or replaced monthly for optimal airflow and energy efficiency.
2. Poor insulation
Air easily escapes from a poorly insulated house. The heated or cool air goes out as soon as it’s distributed, and your air-conditioning system may overwork itself to cover up the deficiency.
Poor insulation will always lead to higher energy bills, so it’s crucial you check up on that quickly. Ensure your attic, floors, ceilings, and basement are insulated with the recommended R-value to keep your house cool summer and warm when Jack Frost comes knocking.
3. Leaky roofs and damaged windows
As your HVAC runs, it’s best to have your entire house sealed up to conserve energy by preventing air escape and egress. But a leaky roof or broken window compromises this, allowing warm or cool air to seep through.
Look around your home; if your attic feels moist, chances are you have a leaky roof.
Does your window lock well? Do you feel a cool breeze whenever you sit or walk past your door? These are areas you want to seal tight to keep your home’s temperature efficiently regulated.
4. A faulty furnace
Many things can make your furnace stop working as it ought to. The thermostat’s temperature settings could be accidentally changed during a DIY maintenance sweep, or the batteries may have worn out. Seek out professional heating repair services near you if you believe the problem is from your heating unit but you’re unsure what is wrong.
The professional can also help carry out some maintenance to ensure your heating system is running up to speed.
5. Clogged ducts
The regulated air from your air conditioning unit enters your rooms through ducts, often designed in ceilings and floors. When a vent gets obstructed by a bed or furniture, that room won’t get the regulated air distributed by the HVAC.
If a particular room feels warmer or cooler than normal, it’s worth checking the ceiling and floor to verify if that’s where the issue emanates from.
The same applies to radiators. It’s best to keep long curtains and furniture out of the way so the radiator receives direct airflow and distributes heat optimally around your rooms.
6. Humidity gets too high or too low
Humid (moist) air feels warmer, while dry air feels colder. So when the humidity within your home drops too low, you may feel colder than normal. The reverse is the case for higher humidity.
Increase your humidity to about 45% during winter to crank up the heat without overworking your furnace.
Final words
If you’ve checked all you could but cannot find the problem or solve it, get help from an HVAC specialist as soon as possible. It may cost a bit, but if that’s the price to pay for absolute comfort, it’s always worth it.
