Cold spots in various areas of your home can make life uncomfortable during the winter months. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to eliminate this issue so you enjoy a more consistent temperature throughout the house.
Here are four ways to resolve cold spots that are well-worth discussing with your HVAC professional:
1. Air Balancing and Sealing Ductwork
Poorly-designed or aging ductwork can rob you of up to 20 percent of your furnace’s output through leaks and heat loss. Balanced airflow through the system is also essential to ensure sufficient heat reaches every room. A knowledgeable HVAC pro can assess your duct system and make needed alterations, such as installing additional return/supply registers to balance airflow. Sealing and insulating the ducts can also help curb inefficiencies to improve comfort throughout your home.
2. Zoning the HVAC System
Zoning divides your heating system into two or more distinct areas, which allows you to set specific temperatures to provide consistent, even heating in different areas of your home. To create individual zones, your HVAC contractor installs automatic duct dampers with a dedicated thermostat, then connects them all to a centrally-located control panel.
3. Upgrading to a Variable-Speed Blower
A single-speed blower cycles on and off to meet the setting on the thermostat, which can allow some rooms to cool down considerably in between cycles. A variable-speed blower modulates its speed automatically, and runs on low for extended cycles so it provides more even heat distribution. Your HVAC technician can advise you if it’s possible to upgrade your current system to variable-speed technology.
4. Investing in a Two-Stage Furnace
If you’re thinking about replacing your existing furnace, investing in a two-stage model that’s equipped with a dual-output gas valve and burner is worth considering. These furnaces operate on the low heat output setting most of the time, but ramp up to high intuitively during cold spells to maintain your comfort level. A two-stage furnace is especially beneficial when it’s paired with a variable-speed blower.
For expert advice about eliminating cold spots and boosting comfort in your Lorain home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home comfort and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area