Winter is moving closer by the day. While many of us living on the Western Slope enjoy our winter wonderland, we are not so happy if our Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home suffers from uneven heating. It’s one of the most common complaints heard by our Climate Control Company technicians, so let’s examine some of the causes.
Broken zoning controls
A zoned HVAC system is a GREAT way to solve the problem of hot and cold spots. But if you have a zoning system and still have a problem, it could be because the controls have malfunctioned. In some cases, one or more dampers could be stuck in the open or closed position, so the flow of warm air is affected. There could also be a problem with one of the local thermostats.
Leaking ductwork
This is another common cause of uneven heating and cooling. It’s possible your furnace or heat pump is working correctly, but the heated air is not reaching certain rooms because of leaks and breaks in the ductwork. This results not only in uneven heating but increased monthly bills because you’re paying to heat air that isn’t doing any good.
Clogged air filter
At least this one is easy to fix and something you can do yourself. When your filter is dirty or clogged it greatly limits the warm air flowing through the ducts. If you first notice the uneven heating in the rooms most distant from the furnace, it’s a good sign the problem is with the filter. Your filter should be replaced at least every 90 days. If you are using a fiberglass filter, live on a dusty road, or have lots of pets, it should be replaced every 30 days.
Heating system is short cycling
This is when a heating system turns on and shuts off faster than it can complete a heating cycle. Because it’s not running long enough the warm air can’t be distributed to all areas of the house. This is a serious problem that needs to be fixed quickly. It requires a trained technician to determine why it’s happening.
The time has come
This is the one you don’t want to hear, but sometimes uneven heating is a sign your system is just plain worn out. It may have reached a point where there simply isn’t enough warm air being produced to keep your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO house comfortable. This is especially true if the heating system is more than 15 years old. Our Climate Control technicians will examine the system and help you decide if it makes more sense to repair it, or if it’s more cost-effective to replace it. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great information.
