During the winter months in Peoria, AZ, it’s common for homeowners to experience drafty room problems. While one space feels comfortable, another is cold and breezy. You may scramble to adjust your thermostat, ensure windows are closed and open vents. However, drafty rooms can point to issues with your building envelope or HVAC system. Luckily, there are several ways you can boost home comfort and reduce drafts. Our team at Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help you address cold rooms in your home during the winter. We can assist with HVAC inspections, maintenance and repairs, ensuring your system works efficiently and reliably.
Issues With HVAC Airflow
If you don’t have sufficient airflow through your HVAC system, you can expect issues with heating certain rooms. It’s more common to experience chilly temperatures in the rooms that are the furthest away from your furnace. There are several reasons why you may have airflow issues, such as a dirty HVAC filter, blocked vents or registers, or furniture or other items obstructing vents or damaged ductwork. You can check your HVAC filter, vents and registers to see if any adjustments or maintenance are needed. You can also schedule a professional inspection to determine if there are HVAC issues contributing to your comfort concerns.
Addressing Ductwork Issues
Ductwork delivers warm air throughout your home. If you have gaps or cracks in your ductwork, this can lead to air escaping before it reaches where it needs to go. In some cases, you can lose as much as 30% of heated air before it has the chance to reach your living spaces. Poor ductwork insulation and improper design can also cause problems. Look for visible damage or loose connections. High energy bills can also point to ductwork issues. Have a professional determine if there are any ductwork modifications that have the potential to boost overall comfort and efficiency.
Home and Ductwork Insulation
If a room in your home is losing heat faster than your HVAC system can keep up, you’ll experience cold spots and drafts. Even without ductwork damage, a lot of heat may be getting lost as air travels through your ducts. Consider adding insulation around your ductwork. Not only will you see an improvement in comfort, but this process should also lower your monthly HVAC expenses.
Consider upgrading insulation in other areas of your home as well. Areas like your basement, garage, attic and exterior walls all benefit from upgrading the insulation. There are different types of insulation to consider. Blown-in insulation works well for walls and attics. However, it can leave behind some open spots where moisture and cold air can sneak through. Spray foam insulation is an excellent option for an airtight seal. It lasts 80 to 100 years, providing you with comfort and peace of mind. In many cases, you can utilize tax rebates and incentives to offset the cost of an insulation upgrade.
Keeping Your Home Airtight
A tight home “envelope” will reduce cold spots and drafts, while allowing your HVAC system to work more efficiently. Go around your home and seal any gaps and cracks that you find. You may feel cold air blowing in through these areas, contributing to your discomfort. The most common areas to address issues include window frames, around doors and your basement foundation. You may also find drafts around areas where pipes and electrical connections come into your home. Use products, like caulk and weatherstripping, to keep cold air out.
Upgrading Your HVAC System
If you have a very old HVAC system, there may be efficiency issues contributing to cold rooms and drafts. Modern systems feature variable speeds, high-efficiency ratings and quiet operation. Consider upgrading if your current setup is over 10 years old or experiencing frequent repair needs.
Also, an undersized or oversized system may be your problem. A system that’s too small will struggle to heat a home evenly. A system that is too large can lead to short-cycling. This scenario will turn your HVAC system on and off quickly, preventing heat from circulating sufficiently. We will help you choose a new setup, ensuring it’s properly sized for your home and comfort needs. The Manual J Load Calculation considers insulation in your home, square footage and windows and doors.
Upgrading your HVAC system is another situation where tax rebates and incentives can be beneficial. Speak with our team to learn about any potential discounts that can make an upgrade worthwhile. You may also want to consider investing in heat-pump technology for efficient heating.
Your Thermostat’s Placement
Your thermostat communicates with your HVAC system, indicating when it’s time to heat or cool your home. Your thermostat may be in a location that’s warmer than the rest of your residence. Heating equipment may be turned off before your whole home is comfortable. We can move your thermostat to a more practical location if necessary. It should be away from doors and windows and out of direct sunlight. Also, avoid placing your thermostat near a bathroom or kitchen, where temperatures are often higher.
Consider HVAC Zoning
If you have a large home or different comfort needs throughout your residence, a zoned system may be beneficial. This setup allows you to choose different temperature settings for specific areas of your residence. You can have a professional install a thermostat for each zone, providing independent control.
Adjusting Ductwork Dampers
Ductwork is constructed with dampers inside of it. This means you can adjust how much conditioned air is flowing through certain branches of your system. Be sure not to completely shut off airflow to any areas of your home. However, you can make minor adjustments to push warm air to colder areas.
Home Humidity Challenges
The relative humidity level in your home should be between 35% and 50%. If the air inside your home is very dry, which is common in the wintertime, it may feel colder than it actually is. Use a hygrometer to measure the amount of moisture in your air. If it is too dry, consider the installation of a whole-home humidifier on your HVAC system.
Humid air may also be a problem in certain areas of your home, leading to HVAC challenges. You can remove moisture from your indoor air using a whole-home dehumidifier.
We recommend professional installation to ensure proper functioning of this equipment. Our team also provides routine maintenance for your humidity-controlling devices.
Achieving Optimal Home Comfort
While many homes experience drafts and inconsistent temperatures, this isn’t something you have to accept. There are many ways to ensure you experience comfort in your Peoria home. Our team at Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating can help you with HVAC upgrades and maintenance that can boost comfort. Give us a call at Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
