One of the worst things that you can have in a house are cold spots. Even worse though, is several cold spots at once! Cold spots in your home are often from issues with the duct system to a full malfunction of the whole HVAC system.
If parts of your house are icy cold, don’t blame the poltergeist. Instead, examine some of the most important causes of cold spots, or call a professional for an inspection of the house.
What Causes Cold Spots in a House?
1. Duct Issues
Most traditional HVAC systems are powered by the use of a vent/duct system that runs throughout a house. All of the channels then connect to the main AC system. Ducts are one of the most common components that can cause an issue, from a common blockage to a leaking vent.
If your house has obvious cold spots from room to room, the first thing you want to do is take a closer look at what’s going on in the air ducts.
2. Any Unsealed Structural Leaks
Air leaks can happen anywhere in the home, especially where the house connects to the outdoors. If you have any doorframes or windows that are not sealed properly, then it’s something you should have looked at.
Cold spots are inevitable if your house is allowing any cold air in.
If you suspect an air leak, check for cold spots and try to track them down to any small drafts coming through the cracks. In some cases, small beams of light can reveal the site of air leaks.
3. Lack of Insulation
Insulation is one of the most important things for the structural integrity and comfort of your home. While insulation is installed during the building phase, it can need serious upkeep throughout the lifespan of a house in order to control the temperature in your home.
If your house has a lack of insulation or the insulation has undergone damage over time, then cold spots are one of the consequences that the inhabitants could have to deal with.
Proper insulation of the home can take care of the problem and help lower your heating and cooling bills.
4. Zoning
Modern and more advanced HVAC systems are designed to allow users to set the individual temperatures of each room or area in the house. Of course, some older HVAC units don’t have this benefit. What’s called “zoning” can have a huge impact on the heat of the rest of the house.
If you are reliant on an old HC or HVAC system in the home, consider upgrading your HVAC system to one of the newer models that allows for individual hot or cold settings.
5. HVAC Malfunctions
Another common reason for cold spots in your home can be the malfunctioning of your entire HVAC system.
If the house doesn’t appear to be as hot as the thermostat claims or some of the house has gone cold suddenly, then you should have the system looked at by a professional. HVAC problems can include anything from a short circuit to residual dust.
An HVAC inspection is what you need if you suspect that there’s a larger problem that could have shut down most of your AC system. The larger the cold spots in the rest of the house, the more likely it can be that this is your problem.
6. Thermostat Issues
If the thermostat temperature doesn’t match what’s going on in the rest of the house, then you can almost certainly blame the thermostat.
Thermostat issues are usually small, but the issues they can cause with the heating in the house could be huge. Uneven temperatures and cold spots are common manifestations of this issue.
Check the temperature on the thermostat against the cold spots in the house to help spot the issue.
Discount Window and Door of Omaha
At Discount Window and Door of Omaha, we are committed to providing the best quality doors and replacement windows. We employ the most skilled installers to ensure the highest standard of quality service. Our Omaha door and window installers are highly trained, certified industry professionals with years of experience, including some second and third-generation employees.