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Furnace heating home unevenly

3 years ago

Our furnace doesn't heat the house evenly. The bedrooms get very warm (above the temperature set on the thermostat), but the furnace keeps running even after that because some of the common spaces are too cold.


We've had a couple of HVAC contractors take a look, and the only issue they've identified is that the ducts may be directing too much air to the bedrooms at the expense of the common areas. We've tried entirely closing or partially closing various vents, but that hasn't really solved the problem. That also adds in a whistling sound from the closed vents like the air is trying to escape but can't. The only other recommendation was to install dampers which can manually reduce the amount of air coming to the bedrooms, leaving more for the other areas. However, if shutting the vents has not resolved the issue, I'm not sure if dampers would.


We have the same problem in the warmer months with the AC.


Things we've ruled out as issues:

-Furnace and AC size are appropriate for the size of the house

-Insulation of the house is fine

-Furnace filter has been replaced

-Ducts have been tested and had very little leakage

-Ducts have been cleaned

-Airflow from each of the vents is good

-Thermostat location is ideal


Would welcome any advice! Thanks so much!

Comments (10)

  • 3 years ago

    How about turning the furnace off or as low as possible at nite…adding a small room heater in the bedroom for winter…in summer open a window a little…

    V S thanked btydrvn
  • 3 years ago

    I don't think this is rocket science - it's uneven airflow when there are wide temp swings from one part of the house to another (if all on the same floor). Too much to the bedrooms, not enough to the common spaces, as you were told. You need to change duct sizes. Closing ducts can help tweak small changes but that's not a solution. Duct cleaning (unless there was an obstruction), equipment sizing, and some of the other things, have no significant effect for this particular matter.

    Is the oversupply to bedrooms happening in rooms with doors often closed? If so, you're blocking circulation. You either need to leave those doors open or add more return ducts - actual ones or jumper ducts, as possible. Are there adequate return openings and ducts in the common areas? Did the HVAC contractors check pressures in the ducts?

    Good luck.

    V S thanked Elmer J Fudd
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I agree with Elmer that you've got an air flow balancing issue. In lieu of replacing duct work, you should be able to install balancing dampers and position them to regulate the air flows as needed to keep the various spaces comfortable.

    V S thanked Charles Ross Homes
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    V S, Is the house a 2 story house or single story house? How old is it?


    It sounds like you have 1 HVAC system for this house. What is the square footage of the house and the shape of it? Is it an L shape, square or rectangle or some other oddity?


    If you can post some pictures of your HVAC system layout.


    V S thanked Austin Air Companie
  • 3 years ago

    Geeez AA why do you want to worry about details?

    V S thanked klem1
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    So I can re-tell the story accurately.


    Once upon a time.... in a land far, far and away...

    V S thanked Austin Air Companie
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Ductwork design is not an exact science. Installation of balancing dampers at each branch connection is a best practice. Balancing dampers allow for seasonal adjustment of air flows to various rooms.

    V S thanked Charles Ross Homes
  • 3 years ago

    Was your problem resolved? I have the same issue with a 2200 square ranch. Warm during the summer and cold in the winter on the south end of the house. We've already put in energy efficient windows in the living room, an energy effiecient slider in the kitchen area, insulation top and bottom. Still, there is a temperature difference between one end of the house. The next time they come to do my winter maintenence I will have them do readings on each vent and tell me what it means. I like the suggestion of adding a vent, one near the slider and another in the living room. Oh! Almost forgot to mention; we were thinking maybe a vent is not connected properly but wouldn't mice be in the house? My neighbor has mice sometimes but we haven't seen any.


    Sorry if this is a double post, I haven't been on in a while and I had to sign in to google and I lost my original post

    V S thanked ksd4423
  • 3 years ago

    Your mouse theory is more logical than any I've heard here so I'd put some bait out and see if that helps.

    V S thanked klem1