It doesn’t take a lot of cold weather to identify all the cold spots indoors. Instead of turning up the thermostat to compensate, these tips might help you solve the situations that cause them in the first place.
Problem: Inadequate Insulation
After turning off its circuit breaker, remove a face plate from an electrical outlet to see if there is adequate insulation in the exterior wall cavity. You can also use a digital, instant read thermometer to find the temperature variables throughout the wall.
Solution: If it’s a small area, use expanding foam to fill the gaps. Larger areas may need to be filled with loose insulation like cellulose or blown-in fiberglass, which an insulation specialist can easily do with a specialized blower.
Problem: Air Leaks
Ill-fitting windows, cracks around exterior door frames, or unfilled holes from pipes, wires, or cables entering your home cause air leaks that can cause cold spots.
Solution: Fill the small cracks with caulk. Use expanding foam rated for the job for larger areas. If you’re filling around wires or cables, use UL-approved foam.
Problem: Leaking Ductwork
Leaking ducts can happen in a home of any age and can be responsible for high energy costs during the winter and summer. If you notice an excessive amount of dust near the registers, a leak may be present in the ducts feeding it. An HVAC professional can pinpoint where and how extensive ductwork leaks might be.
Solution: The ductwork should be sealed by licensed HVAC technicians using appropriate materials. Options include mastic, metal tape, or nontoxic sealants.
Problem: Poor Thermostat Position
If the thermostat is near the kitchen, an exterior door, or sits in sunshine part of the day, it’s only natural to have uncomfortable spaces indoors.
Solution: Have the HVAC technician move the thermostat to a more representative position.
It does take some effort to find the causes of cold spots and fix them, but in the end, you’ll have more year-round comfort and lower energy bills. For a technician inspection, contact CCAC, providing HVAC services for Coastal Bend homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.
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