Uneven HVAC Heating During Winters: Causes and Solutions
Winter in India can be bone-chilling, especially in the northern and central regions. According to Natural Habitat Adventures, the temperature here can drop pretty low from November to January.
Having a HVAC system in place keeps commercial spaces warm but there can still be challenges. Uneven heating is an issue that plagues thousands of offices during the chilling Indian winters.
So, what exactly causes uneven heating? There’s not one but several reasons. In this blog, Kelvin Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems will tell you about the common culprits behind uneven HVAC heating during winters.
In a rush? Here’s a quick version:
What are the reasons for uneven heating in winter?
– Blocked or closed air vents
– Dirty or clogged air filters
– Leaky or poorly designed ductwork
– Insufficient or uneven insulation
– Air leaks around windows and doors
– Poor thermostat placement
– Incorrect heating system size or design
– Home layout and natural heat flow
Who should you call to fix uneven heating issues?
We recommend consulting HVAC contractors at Kelvin. A team of trusted HVAC professionals, we have decades of experience in diagnosing and resolving diverse HVAC challenges. Our HVAC consultants will make sure your system runs flawlessly, delivering consistent warmth.
Let’s discuss in detail!
What are the Reasons Behind Uneven Heating in Winters?
Here are some factors that leave some cabins cozy while others stay cold:
Blocked or closed air vents
Consider heating a room with the outlet of a heater covered by half. You won’t get the warmth you’re expecting, right? This is exactly what occurs when air vents are blocked or closed. Most commercial buildings close the vents of unused spaces, believing that it will channel the heat faster to other areas.
As a matter of fact, it actually messes with the whole airflow system of your heating system, causing pressure problems and uneven warmth.
Other causes are:
– Furniture placed on floor vents
– Curtains or carpets restricting airflow
Keeping vents uncovered and clear is a simple yet often overlooked fix.
Dirty or clogged air filters
Air filters play a huge role in keeping even heating throughout. If they are clogged with dust and debris, airflow becomes limited. This forces the HVAC system to strain, and release less heat to the farther spaces. And that’s not it! Dirty filters also lead to:
– limited air circulation to certain zones within same room
– Longer heating cycles
– Higher energy consumption
Consider changing filters if you find some rooms colder than usual. Frequent change keeps airflow smooth and heat distribution consistent throughout winter.
Leaky or poorly designed ductwork
The warm air generated by your HVAC system has to travel via highways known as ductwork. If there are leaks, cracks, or inappropriate design choices, heat will simply escape even before it’s delivered. This is mostly prevalent in offices with extensive renovations. When checking ductwork, always look for:
– Loopholes or holes
– Long or inefficient duct routes
– Poorly sealed duct joints
A powerful heating system will work efficiently when the ducts are intact. You can achieve a significant increase in temperature balance.
Insufficient or uneven insulation
The factor that determines how well a property retains heat is insulation. Having some areas better insulated than others means inevitable temperature differences. Poorly insulated rooms dissipate more heat, which makes them feel cold regardless of the temperature set on the thermostat.
Problem areas normally involve:
– Attics and ceilings
– External walls
– Floors above garages or crawl spaces
Improving insulation will assist in the even distribution of heat throughout the home, minimising cold spots during winter.
Air leaks around windows and doors
Even little cracks in your room can negate all your HVAC heating. The warm air escapes and cold air sneaks in, creating drafts and drops in temperature, particularly in rooms that are nearest to the exterior.
Common leak points are:
– Old or damaged window seals
– Poorly fitted doors
– Frames and thresholds gaps
These leaks compel your heating system to constantly compensate, often unsuccessfully. Sealing leak points is a cost-effective way to stabilise indoor temperatures as well as enhance winter comfort.
Don’t forget to check out these resources as well:
Air source heat pump installation
HVAC duct cleaning guide
Rise of PV heating and cooling in HVAC
Reasons why preventative HVAC make sense
Poor thermostat placement
It might sound weird at first but your HVAC heating system has a brain. Yes, it’s called a thermostat – a control centre that measures your office’s temperature and automatically turns the heating system on and off to maintain it. Its placement is more important than people think.
If placed close to a window, door, direct sunlight or a heat source, it can fail to read the true temperature of your house. Result? System going off prematurely or running longer than needed.
You may also notice the following signs:
– One area feels warm while the rest remain cold
– Brief heating cycles that don’t extend to rooms located far away
– Imprecise temperature regulation
A thermostat placed centrally, draft-free, will make it easy to maintain balanced heating in the entire house.
Incorrect heating system size or design
BIG is not necessarily BETTER. And neither is small. A heating system that’s not designed around your commercial building will struggle to provide adequate warmth. Undersized systems won’t be able keep up with winter whereas oversized systems will switch off before the heat can evenly distribute.
This uneven HVAC heating system issue is common in:
– Renovated or extended offices
– Unzoned multi-storey buildings
– Workspaces converted from older systems
Correct system sizing and zoning design will ensure that heat reaches evenly and efficiently to all the cabins.
Layout and natural heat flow
The movement of heat throughout the office is not equal due to how naturally heat moves. When hot air ascends, higher floors get warmer. What about lower-level floors, you ask? They stay cooler. Rooms distant to the heating unit or with more exterior walls will also lose heat more quickly.
The common layout challenges are as follows:
– Cold basements or ground floor
– Corner rooms
– Long distances from vents or radiators
Knowing the layout of your office will assist you in identifying where airflow adjustments, zoning or even insulation improvements are required to fix uneven heating, making the winter season comfortable.
Hire Best HVAC Maintenance Services in India
There you go!
We talked about common problems that cause uneven heating during winter. Each one is a sign that something is wrong with your HVAC system. Ignoring these can lead to higher energy bills, unwanted wear on your system, and ongoing discomfort for your employees.
But wait, who can help you deal with these HVAC problems in India? Here’s where Kelvin comes to the scene! Using decades of experience, we accurately diagnose the root cause of uneven heating. Airflow balancing, system servicing, insulation advice, equipment upgrades – we analyse the situation first and then provide the right solution.
So stop guessing and adjusting your thermostat. Call us on +91 8108555060 or +91 7045509909 to consult our HVAC contractors and restore consistent warmth across your commercial building!
We are trusted for these services in India:
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