Why are some rooms colder than others?

In many parts of the country, temperatures in the winter can reach extremely uncomfortable lows. For some homeowners, this can make their properties frigid and uninviting as the cold seeps in. Does your home experience this? Maybe some rooms in your home are chillier than others. This is not uncommon, but it is an issue that can be resolved relatively quickly. Read on to learn more about why some rooms in your home are colder than others.

How does heating work? 

When hot air is pushed into your home, it tends to rise to the highest rooms on the property. This is because the air molecules have expanded, making them less dense than the cooler molecules. The lighter density allows the air to rise faster and more frequently. Therefore, heated air will always move to the upper areas of your house. If your attic is not properly insulated, this air will escape out the roof and is essentially wasted.

Which rooms are usually the coldest? 

Of course, every home is different, but in most cases, the basements, bathrooms, and kitchens are the chilliest spots. The basement is where all the cold air settles and it can be difficult to heat this space. Additionally, because bathrooms and kitchens tend to be floored with tile and have limited ventilation, they are some of the colder rooms in homes.

What are the reasons for cold rooms? 

The location is the main reason for certain temperatures in a room. As stated before, the upper levels will be warmer while the lower levels will be cooler. However, poor insulation, HVAC system imbalances, poorly fitted windows or faulty furnace can also contribute to lowered temperatures in certain rooms.

• Poor insulation – Older homes may be more susceptible to this issue than most others. Your home’s insulation helps keep the heated air in your home for longer. Little or cheap insulation may allow the heated air to escape.
• HVAC system imbalances – Some rooms have bigger air ducts than others, meaning that more heated air is pushed into these rooms.
• Ill-fitting windows – If the windows in a certain room do not fit well in their frames, cold air drafts may be able to enter through the gaps.
• Faulty furnace – Your furnace is what heats the air that is distributed throughout your home. If it is not working properly, your home will be chillier than you desire.

How to fix the issue 

The best course of action is to hire an HVAC specialist to come and perform an inspection of your home. He or she will be able to identify areas that are causing certain rooms to be colder than you would like. The specialist can also examine your HVAC system and make repairs or recommendations.
No one wants to leave a warm, toasty room and enter a frigid one. You can eliminate the uneven heating in your home today by contacting SMO Energy. They will send a specialist to help you identify and correct the problem areas. For more information, click the image below.