Uneven heating is a common problem in homes with gas furnaces. Some rooms may be comfortably warm while others are hot and stuffy. There may even be rooms that are bone-chilling cold at the same time. If your gas furnace is heating your home unevenly, there may be a simple issue you can fix or a more serious problem a heating repair professional must address.
Restricted Airflow
An airflow problem, whether caused by a ductwork blockage or clogged air filter, can lead to uneven heating. Rooms near the blockage or farther from the furnace may receive less heat or none at all. The good news is a dirty filter can be easily replaced. If that was the cause of the problem, the new filter should allow ample airflow, and all rooms should be equally warm.
Lack of Ventilation
Aside from blocked filters, vents, intake pipes, and flue pipes can become blocked and cause ventilation problems. Gas furnaces must be properly ventilated to function and keep your household safe. Start by checking vents in colder rooms. Clear or open them if necessary; if the issue isn’t with these vents, check the intake and exhaust lines for issues.
Duct Leak
If the furnace appears to be working fine, have your ducts inspected. A hole, tear, or disconnection in the ductwork can cause heated air to escape. It may not reach certain rooms. Therefore, your furnace will produce heat that isn’t used, so you end up paying for heating that benefits no one.
Short Cycling
Heating cycles should occur at regular intervals. A furnace that short cycles is turning on and off faster than it takes to adequately produce and distribute heat. Various issues can cause short cycling that can wear out your furnace if not fixed. Having a technician correct the underlying cause can avoid major repairs in the future.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
A faulty thermostat or connection between it and the furnace can cause some rooms to be too hot, especially if the furnace runs continuously. If the thermostat is miscalibrated, the heater may not run at the right times. Air distribution issues can then result in your gas furnace heating your home unevenly.
Your Home Isn’t Properly Sealed/Insulated
Check for drafts at windows and doors and install weatherstripping or caulking where needed. Door sweeps can help seal your home as well. If you have unconditioned spaces, make sure they’re insulated and either add or improve insulating materials.
Air Balancing Issues
It’s possible to adjust the amount of cooled or heated air in each room; this is called air balancing. Ideally, every room should be the same temperature at the same time. If the rooms in your home vary significantly in temperature, you’re dealing with an unbalanced system, of which there are various causes.
To achieve air balancing, you can install dampers in ducts that adjust how much air flows to each room. Meanwhile, zoning can help balance heating in homes with multiple levels. Insulating ducts, restructuring ductwork, and opening doors to rooms can also help distribute heat more evenly. It may also be that your heating system is over or undersized, in which case a contractor will have to determine whether to modify, repair, or replace it.
Your Furnace Is Old
As your furnace ages, its heating output reduces. Uneven heating is a symptom of a struggling or failing furnace. A technician can determine if repairs are possible or worth the expense compared to installing a newer, more efficient furnace. Replacement is often recommended for furnaces over 15 years old with declining heating power.
Sky Can Address Your Gas Furnace Heating Issues
Sky Heating & Air Conditioning provides furnace maintenance in Portland to correct or avoid issues such as uneven heating. Regular maintenance can improve comfort, efficiency, and safety. If your gas furnace is heating your home unevenly, our trained technicians are equipped to diagnose and oftentimes repair the underlying cause. We’re open 24/7 so you can receive immediate furnace repairs. If you need assistance, contact us online or call 888-627-1257 now.