Inconsistent indoor heating is a common problem in many households during the winter months. While investing in upgrades like new windows or siding may help solve this problem, they don’t address the root cause. In general, the sources of hot and cold spots lie beneath areas of the home that are taken for granted. Here trusted heating and cooling services contractor American Refrigeration takes a look at the problem areas that make your home difficult to heat and cause your HVAC system to work harder.
Attic hatch. The entryway to your attic should be properly sealed and insulated. Otherwise, air can leak both into and out of this part of your house. Pointing a thermal camera at the attic hatch can help reveal evidence of heat transfer through this weak point.
Attic fixtures. Recessed light fixtures, electrical wiring and pipes that penetrate the attic floor should likewise be sealed and insulated. Leaving holes and cracks around them creates invisible wind tunnels that will allow air to leak into and out of the attic. Add them up, and you’ll have unwanted airflow levels that are equivalent to leaving your windows open for the whole year.
Basement. Every HVAC contractor and home energy auditor points to this area of the house as a potential culprit behind uneven indoor heating. Only 1% of the heat loss is through the basement floor, but up to 20% of the same moves through the walls. Cold air gets sucked in at the foundation, causing drafty rooms and cold floors in the winter. Again, proper sealing is imperative in ensuring the basement is well-insulated.
The roof’s underside. Your roof helps protect your family and valuables from harsh elements. However, it should be properly insulated to keep the indoor and outdoor environments and temperatures separate. Otherwise, it will let the heat out of your house too quickly in the winter, causing ice dams to develop at the edge of the roof.
Let the heating installation experts at American Refrigeration help you solve the issue of inconsistent comfort during the winter months. Call (662) 337-7968 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
