Do you ever walk through your home, feeling like one room is a completely different atmosphere than the rest? Or maybe as you walk up the stairs to the second level, you feel the temperatures rise with each step. Temperature fluctuations in a drafty home are telltale signs that your home is underperforming, and could even be causing underlying indoor air quality issues.
So, how can you locate the cause behind the temperature fluctuations throughout the rooms in your home, and how can you fix them?
What Causes Inconsistent Temperatures?
If the rooms in your house are never the same temperature, it can be for a few reasons, including:
Lack of proper insulation
Ductwork issues
Air leaks throughout the home
Improperly sized heating & cooling equipment
In essence, the problem is either that not enough conditioned air is getting to the room (or rooms) in question, or there are home performance issues allowing the conditioned air inside of a room to escape. This can leave you frustrated, and it can cost you money at the end of the month on your utility bills!
Insulation Issues
The insulation in your walls, attic, and crawl space should prevent heat from transferring through the materials that make up the construction of your home. This happens both ways, whether you are trying to keep your home warm in the winter or keep the summer heat out. Properly insulating attics can help with a drafty feeling house by stabilizing the temperatures throughout the home.
Air Leaks
You may not be able to see them, but there are tiny holes, gaps, and cracks all throughout your home. Many homeowners notice them most in their windows and doors, but the more insidious air leaks are often in the crawl space and attic. These air leaks will increase your indoor drafts, and with that air leakage comes an increase in moisture and outdoor contaminants, like allergens, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A leaky home is a great reason for an indoor air quality test, which is included in each Whole Home Evaluation.
Ductwork Issues
Leaks in the ductwork related to your heating and cooling system can account for significant energy loss as well as a reduction in your indoor air quality. Leaks will let your conditioned air escape, and also allow dust mites and other indoor air pollutants to infiltrate your breathing air.
Improperly Sized HVAC Equipment
If you have made any additions to your home’s square footage since you last replaced or installed your furnace or air conditioner, your heating and cooling equipment may be improperly sized. This can add to the inconsistent temperatures you experience at home, especially in the case of undersized or oversized equipment.
Locating the Cause of Your Temperature Fluctuation Issues
How can you determine exactly what it is that is causing your inconsistent temperatures? With a Whole Home Evaluation. This comprehensive home comfort, efficiency, and health evaluation will uncover any and all of the home performance issues keeping your home from stable, consistent temperatures all year round.
Keep your home at one consistent temperature through better home performance. Schedule a Whole Home Evaluation for your Tri State area home at 914-242-9733 or get in touch here.
Is your home feeling drafty, with wild temperature changes?
We can find the problems — and fix them!