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What Hot and Cold Spots Say About the HVAC System

Ever been in one room in the house where it feels like a sauna, and then walk into the room right next to it and it feels like an igloo? It’s kind of an odd experience to go from one extreme to another when the rooms are so close together. Of course, most houses will have a slight differentiation in temperature going from an upper level or main level down to the basement, as it tends to be a little bit cooler in the basement.

But if there are other extreme temperature zones in the house, these are known as hot and cold spots. When this happens, it’s often a signal that something is not quite right with the HVAC system, and some repairs (or HVAC maintenance) may need to take place to get things back in order.

Airflow Problems are a Common Cause

When there are hot and cold spots in the house, an airflow problem is typically at the center of the cause. There may be one or multiple rooms that are not getting enough airflow from the HVAC system, which ends up resulting in those noticeably different temperatures between rooms.

There are several causes for airflow problems, so it’s important that homeowners figure out what the cause is in their particular situation. It could be that the ducts are not sized properly, that the ducts are damaged or leaking, or that the ducts were not properly designed to distribute a balanced airflow. Regardless of the cause, it can cause major airflow issues throughout your home.

How to Fix Airflow Problems

The simplest fix to an airflow problem is to add some more airflow. Adding a duct and an additional supply vent to the room or region that isn’t getting enough air can be a quick fix to the problem. However, this isn’t a good long-term solution. The best way to fix an airflow problem is to properly measure and adjust the airflow to make it balanced throughout the house.

An HVAC professional can help to measure how much air actually blows into each region of the house, analyze the insulation levels and ductwork, and identify sources of air infiltration. Utilizing a professional can help homeowners build a solution around the specific source of their airflow problem.

Other Reasons for Hot and Cold Spots

Another common cause for hot and cold spots is that the house isn’t properly zoned. A zoning system can allow homeowners to control different rooms or “zones” of the house on an individual basis rather than trying to set a temperature for the entire house.

If the house isn’t zoned, it can lead to those annoying and inconsistent temperatures. Hot and cold spots could also be from a homeowner overworking the HVAC system, causing parts of it to shut down or malfunction. Additionally, homeowners should check for leaks around doors, windows, and attic stairs.

It could be that one room is particularly colder because the cold air from outside is leaking into the home and the warm air from inside is leaking out. Sealing this leak will allow the temperatures to adjust properly and resolve the common HVAC problem of hot and cold spots.

About Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc., prides itself on finding creative solutions that are within their customers’ budgets. Whether they need maintenance, installation or repairs, their team has a diverse skill set to handle all HVAC services for Wenatchee‘s homeowners and their toughest situations.

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