It’s not always cold in San Antonio, but it certainly does get chilly every winter. When it is cold outside, we Texans don’t enjoy it. No one likes to roll out of bed in the morning only to be startled by the ice-cold touch of kitchen tiles underneath your feet. In fact, getting out of bed at all is a struggle when the home is drafty.
Uneven heat in your home puts additional strains on your HVAC system and can lead to higher utility bills. So, what causes you to grab a coat or blanket indoors?
Your home should be a refuge when it’s cold outside, but there are a few reasons you might feel a draft in the winter. Usually these issues can be easily fixed, but sometimes a larger furnace breakdown is the culprit.
Air Leaks
That draft you feel in certain rooms in your home could be due to a poorly sized air duct. A duct that is too small or large leads to uneven air flow by increasing pressure inside the ductwork. This is one of the leading causes of uneven heat. This will also damage your HVAC system, which will have to work extra hard to make up for the air flow problem.
You can think about your heater as if it were a human heart. When oxygen-rich blood cannot flow to the heart regularly, due to blockage, the result is a heart attack. Your heater works in much the same way, and when air cannot flow properly, the result is system degradation and eventual breakdown.
When your ductwork is properly maintained and sealed, airflow throughout your home will improve.
Dirty filters
We know it is a pain to remember to pick up new filters, but we recommend filters be changed at least once a season (4 times a year). Dirty filters block air flow in similar ways that a poorly sized duct can block air flow.
If you are like most people, remembering to pick up a new filter is a real pain. Our HVAC specialists will deliver a filter straight to your door.
Check the vents
It may be tempting to position furniture in a way that covers a vent, which you may view as an eyesore. This is not advisable if uneven heat is an issue.
Look at the vent in each room of your house. Are any vents closed or blocked by furniture or carpet? Closed and blocked vents cut off air circulation and create an uneven distribution of heat. Try to keep furniture and bookshelves away from vents to prevent from blocking air flow.
Keep doors open
Much to the dismay of your teenaged children, it is a good rule of thumb to keep doors open when possible. Heat travels from a vent to a return grill often found in another room as part of most HVAC systems. Keep doors open to ensure this process works the way it should.
Rooms with lots of windows
Was your home built before 1990? Energy inefficient windows and poor insulation often found in older homes can also cause uneven temperatures. Have someone assess the efficiency of your windows and your insulation.
It may seem like a big construction process, but new windows really do pay off in terms of reducing air leaks. At the very least, consider resealing windows. This also helps our customers keep unwanted pests from entering the home.
Properly sealed windows are especially important in rooms with lots of them. Rooms containing larger windows are more likely to be colder on chilly days. Make sure the windows in your entertainment rooms are properly sealed.
Poor balancing
ABC’s specialists can balance the distribution of temperature in your home for both heating and air conditioning. We recommend having someone visit your home twice a year to maintain your HVAC system. Proper balancing requires tools from an experienced technician.
Why a heater tune-up is important for Texas homeowners
A well-maintained heater…
- is more energy efficient.
- can save you money on your utility bills.
- ensures your home’s temperature stays consistent in spite of the often unpredictable San Antonio weather.
Doing bi-annual tune-ups prevents your heater from breaking when you need it most. Regular maintenance can also lead to a longer lifespan for your whole HVAC system, which helps you avoid many costly repairs.