Variations in the heating of your home can be very frustrating. It affects not only the comfort level for family members but also areas that are cold or drafty can affect your health. There are several reasons that your home may be hot downstairs but cold upstairs.
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Top 10 Reasons for Uneven Heating
- The heating duct system has never been updated in an older home. By older, I mean about circa 1937. I lived in a home of that era in my early childhood. It was common for homes of that age to have only gravity-fed open registers to the upstairs bedrooms. It was based on the concept that heat rises but usually was not sufficient to adequately heat the upstairs, resulting in cold rooms. Another negative was that often there was a door at the bottom of the stairs, thus it did not allow heat to rise up the stairway.
- Inadequate insulation in the attic. This can be in any home. Attic insulation is put into the home when it is built, but over the years it settles or was never enough insulation in the beginning. The Insulation Institute says a home in Northern areas needs 16-18″, which equals R49. Go up to your attic and measure. That may be the problem. There are different types of insulation also. The loose fiber insulation made of fiberglass is less efficient than the batts of fiberglass insulation. Some people may opt for spray-in foam insulation. It is best to consult someone professional about the best type of insulation for your home. Other areas also need insulation. Crawl spaces, basements, around electrical outlets, doors, and windows all need insulation.
- Air Circulation can be a factor. Is the air freely circulating in your home? Interior doors should be open to allow circulation throughout the upstairs.
- Cold Air Return vents may be needed. Often we do not think of the need for cold air return vents in order for your heating system to work properly. Installing one or more additional cold air returns may help with the efficient heating of your space.
- Old Drafty Windows can be a major source of heat loss in your home. If it is not in the budget to replace the windows, look into ways to insulate around them and use insulating drapes over them.
- Dirty Furnace Filter. If the furnace filter is dirty, it is hampering the flow of air. Thus, making your furnace run harder and also harder to heat your home.
- Duct System needs re-worked or replaced. Sometimes the duct system was never right for the house. Your heating professional can assess what is needed and often rework the duct system to give better heating results.
- Thermostat Controls in the wrong place. Sometimes a thermostat control will be placed in a room that is not central to the usual temperature of the house. This might be in a room downstairs that has the door closed. When that room is heated, the furnace will go off and leave the rest of the house at a temperature that is cooler. So moving the thermostat control or regulating whether the room is closed off may help.
- Need to adjust heat vents. Sometimes more heat vents are needed. But, often a solution is to partially close downstairs heat vents and make sure upstairs heat vents are fully open.
- The blower or fan adjustments. Some recommend keeping the fan on all the time. This may work with some systems.
Repairing Your Heating System
Maybe you have tried addressing the above items, but are still baffled about what is causing the disparity in the heat in your home. A furnace repair to make the system run at full efficiency may be the answer. The pros at Metro Heating and Cooling can help you in determining if a repair will make your furnace run more efficiently. They will inspect and diagnose. By coming into your home they can assess your furnace needs for the most efficient heating. They will suggest the best and most affordable repair, without anything that is unnecessary and costs you more. We will suggest what is needed and work with you according to your budget. The repairs will be done quickly and efficiently to the highest standards. Also, we clean up our work area after we are done.
Replacing Your Heating System
Sometimes homeowners are in the mindset that if a heating system is still working, it does not need replacing. Maybe that is true, but most often it is not. The modern heating and air systems are so much more efficient than they used to be. If your system is older than 10 – 12 years, a new system will give so much more efficiency, that the monthly operating costs may go down enough to cover the cost of having your new system financed. Plus, most qualify for energy rebates. You will be surprised at all the money you have been wasting over the years you have held on to the old system.
We are very proud that we have been awarded a Rheem Top Contractor status. We have many types of furnaces, but the forced air gas furnace is most popular in the St. Paul, Minnesota area.
Just look at the features of our most popular furnace.
Prestige Series: Up to 96% AFUE (VIEW PDF)
- Models: R96VA
- Our most popular model
- A dual comfort control system
- 2-Stage heat with ECM Variable speed motor
- High Efficiency- Qualifies for energy rebates
- Improved indoor air quality
- Electronic ignition
Stop stressing over this and give your home added value and comfort by having your heating system reviewed. The comfort you give to everyone in your home is so much better than the frustration of a heating system that is not providing for the needs of the occupants.
At Metro Heating & Cooling we’re honest, reliable and affordable with every repair. Whether you need a repair or replacement, we’re here to help. You can call us at 651-294-7798. Or if you prefer, contact us through this link.
