Eliminating Hot And Cold Spots In Your Home

Posted: February 21, 2020

One of the most common signs of poor airflow includes experiencing hot and cold spots in your Delaware Valley home. But, most of the time, many of the root causes of airflow problems can be fixed with a minimal investment of time or money.

Here are some of the most common causes of air flow issues in your forced air system (furnace), and what can be done to fix them.

Hot and cold spot causes:

• Blocked vents/registers. Furniture, drapes, and other items can restrict the heated air coming out of your vents. This will disrupt airflow, decrease heating efficiency and make your furnace work extra hard to keep your home warm. The solution, of course, is to keep your heating vents clear whenever possible.
• Clogged air filter. The filter in your forced air system removes dust and debris to keep your indoor air as clean as possible – but it does its job so well that it will eventually get overloaded. When it does, airflow suffers, resulting in hot and cold spots, lower efficiency, and premature wear down of key heating system parts. Check your furnace air filter about once a month during heating season, changing and cleaning it as needed.
• Leaky, poorly installed or undersized ductwork. Your ducts deliver heated air from your furnace to your living space. But in many homes, as much as 30% of the heated air could be getting lost along the way as a result of leaky, undersized, or poorly installed ductwork. Contact us to schedule a professional inspection so we can assess the condition of your ductwork. If we find leaks, we have a solution with our Aeroseal duct sealing service. This is the single most effective and efficient method for duct sealing available! In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy has proclaimed Aeroseal technology to be one of the top 23 most important energy conservation technologies for consumers to be released since the department was first established in 1977. Read more about our duct sealing service.
• Faulty thermostat. Like any home comfort equipment, a thermostat can malfunction or even break down, and one potential consequence of that is poor airflow. Check the battery on your thermostat and replace it if needed. If you think you might have a problem thermostat, contact us.
• Blower fan problems. A blower fan in your furnace forces air through your ductwork to deliver heat to your living space. But blower fans have motors, and motors can weaken or eventually break down. If your blower fan becomes sluggish, poor airflow can result.
• Improper furnace size (BTU power). When it comes to choosing a furnace for your home, bigger isn’t always better. Unfortunately, many contractors will sell you a larger system than you really need. If your furnace is too large for your living space, it will do its job too quickly, then shut off before repeating the process. This “short cycling” can wear out parts prematurely and accelerate the need for heating repairs.
• An old or inadequately maintained heating system. Heating systems don’t last forever, and as they start to go, performance can drop off dramatically. That’s why it’s so important to get professional heating maintenance throughout your equipment’s lifespan – and to replace it when you notice signs of old age, such as frequent repairs.

If you’re experiencing problems with your forced air heating system or looking for a heating system upgrade, we can help! Contact the pros at Wilson Oil and Propane today to make a service appointment. Read more about furnaces.