Your household heating system should be enough to raise your home’s indoor temperature to a comfortable level during cold Tampa winter nights. It is not enough to have a furnace that can produce sufficient heat. You need your HVAC system to deliver that heat throughout different rooms in your home effectively.
If some rooms are sweltering while others are icy, this is called uneven heating. Uneven heating can make your home uncomfortable. The top heating and air conditioning team we have at Ahoy! Cooling & Heating can help you identify and fix the causes of uneven heating in your home.
Damaged Zone Controls
If your home has a modern zone control system that manages which rooms receive heat, uneven heating indicates a control malfunction. The air ducts or the dampers may be damaged. If a damper is stuck closed or open, warm air distribution is impacted. It could be that a local thermostat that monitors temperatures in the room is broken, so it is not sending signals to the central thermostat to send heat to the zone it is controlling.
Holes in the Ductwork
After confirming that your heater is working as it should, your ductwork is the next place to look. One reason why your house might not be getting sufficient heat is that your ductwork has holes. With this problem, approximately one-third of the heated air moving through the ventilation system escapes because of these leaks. In addition to uneven heating, you are also paying more money than you should for heat that isn’t even warming your house. Technicians at Ahoy! Cooling & Heating can fix this issue for you.
Clogged Air Filters
This is a simple problem you can fix yourself. In a forced-air system, your air filter collects dust. If your heater doesn’t blow hot air, this could indicate that the air filter is clogged. This will throttle airflow and create heating problems. Less airflow equals uneven heating because the most distant rooms will not receive sufficient heat. It is recommended that you replace your air filter with a clean one every 30 to 90 days. Not only will this help with airflow issues, but it will also extend the life of your unit.
The Wrong Size Furnace
If your furnace is too big or too small for your home, it could lead to short cycling. This is where the heating system turns on and off faster than it can complete the heating cycle. Short cycling will prevent your heater from running long enough to distribute air evenly in your home. It can create several issues for your unit that can be expensive to repair if not addressed immediately. If you see that your heater is turning off and on repeatedly during an hour, this is something that you should fix quickly.
Your Heater Is on Its Last Leg
Your furnace should last between 10 and 15 years. With exceptional maintenance, some units have continued functioning for more than 20 years. In most cases, though, uneven heating is an indication that your unit has seen its last days. Our HVAC professionals at Ahoy! Cooling & Heating can give you an honest evaluation of the condition of your furnace and confirm whether it is time to replace your HVAC system or if your system needs minor repairs. We can also recommend the right size and style of unit for your home.
The Fan Is on “Auto” Instead of “On”
Check your thermostat and toggle the fan switch from “auto” to “on.” If you have a modern thermostat, you may notice more control settings. Turning the switch to “on” instead of “auto” allows your fan system to stay on and circulate the air through your home even after the furnace system cycle has stopped.
By continually circulating air in your home, your fan is helping to even out the temperature in different rooms. Conversely, the fan will only run when the heating system calls for air circulation when the furnace is in the “auto” position. You may notice a slight increase in your electric bill every month by having the fan run continuously.
Top-Rated Home Comfort Services in Tampa, Florida
At Ahoy! Cooling & Heating, we offer comprehensive comfort services, including ductwork, air conditioning, heating, and indoor quality checks. If you need quick repairs done right, a complete system replacement, or a consultation about purchasing the right HVAC system for your home, our team of experienced technicians is here to help. Call Ahoy! Cooling & Heating today.
