Why does it seem like, no matter how hard you try, there’s at least one room in your house that’s just too hot or cold? While your kitchen might be the perfect temperature, your living room feels like you’re out in the snow. Uneven residential temperatures can be frustrating and uncomfortable, but instead of turning your thermostat up, you should get to the root of the problem.

Whether your living room is freezing, your bedrooms always too hot, or the air always feels so dry, you shouldn’t have to go through another day of uneven temperatures. Below, we’ve summarized the top causes of uneven temperatures at home, so that you’ll know what to keep your eye on:

Why is the temperature uneven at home?

There are several reasons why your home might feel too hot or too cold. If the rooms in your home make you feel like you’re hopping from the desert to the North Pole, here are the most likely causes of uneven home temperature:

Leaking Ducts

Blocked and leaky air ducts are the most common cause of uneven indoor temperatures. Over time, your air ducts will collect dirt, dust, hair, and other debris, blocking as much as 30% of airflow. Blocked and leaky ducts prevent your HVAC from fully releasing cooled air and reaching even the furthest rooms in your home. It is recommended to clean your HVAC ducts at least once a year.

Poor Insulation

This is common in older homes. If your home has poor insulation, it won’t be able to retain warm and hot air. You’ll be forced to spend more money and energy on conditioning the whole house, running your HVAC system more than necessary. As a homeowner, you should consider installing proper insulation, especially in your attic, since hot air rises.

Window Size

The number and size of windows in your house can significantly affect the temperature. Rooms that have large windows in a room that faces the sun will naturally be hotter than rooms facing away from it. In addition, if your windows are poorly sealed, warm air can’t escape, and cold air can’t enter your home.

Wrong Sized HVAC

Your HVAC system should be proportional to the size of your home. The larger your house, the larger your HVAC unit should be in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in all parts of your home. A wrong-sized unit won’t get enough airflow to either cool or heat your house. A quick consultation with an HVAC specialist can help you determine which HVAC model is ideal for your home.

Old HVAC Unit

The problem might lie within your HVAC itself. Units that are ten years and older are more likely to offer less cooling and heating. Buying a new HVAC system can be expensive, but newer models are more eco-friendly and energy-efficient, which means you’ll be spending less energy and saving more money in the long run.

Stay Comfortable with HVAC Maintenance

You don’t have to suffer from uneven temperatures at home much longer. Thankfully, there are several ways to solve indoor temperature imbalances, from cleaning your air ducts to consulting with an HVAC professional.

If your home is constantly going from hot to cold, we can help. Our team of HVAC maintenance professionals is ready and willing to help you. Call us today at 317-535-9338 so we can take a look at your HVAC system and give it the maintenance it needs.