Why Is My House So Darn Cold?

By Shelley Frost

December 11, 2024

Your teeth are chattering, and you feel the cold winter chill surrounding you. You zip up your parka. You can see your breath. There might even be a few snowflakes in the air.

Wait a minute; you're indoors.

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OK, so maybe it's not actually cold enough to snow in your living room, but it certainly feels that way. If you find yourself questioning how your house got this cold, you've likely already tried simple fixes like adjusting your thermostat. If you're still shivering, it's time to get serious about finding the source of the cold air.

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From lack of insulation to problems with your furnace, several issues can leave you chilly inside your home. Looking at the common causes helps you narrow down these issues and figure out how to fix them.

1. Old, Drafty Windows and Doors

Older doors and windows often have gaps that allow cold air to blow through and make your home feel colder. If your windows are in poor condition, consider replacing them with energy-efficient windows. Adding weatherstripping to doors and windows helps minimize drafts around the edges. If new windows aren't in the budget, hanging thermal curtains or installing window insulation kits can help.

2. Poor Insulation

A lack of adequate insulation allows the heated air in your home to rise and escape through the attic and walls. Even if your home has insulation, it might not be the right type. The R-value of insulation that you need depends on where you live. If you live in a colder climate but have insulation meant for a warmer climate, it might not provide enough thermal protection. Replacing or adding insulation can help.

3. Thermostat Issues

Your thermostat is the brains of the operation for your heating system. If it's not working correctly, your furnace may not run when it's supposed to, leaving your house colder than it should be. Some thermostats use batteries, so see if yours needs a fresh set to work properly.

If that's not the issue, there could be a mechanical problem with the thermostat. You may need to recalibrate the device. Check the owner's manual to figure out how to access the calibration settings on your model. Sometimes, the thermostat simply needs to be replaced. An HVAC professional can check your thermostat to see if that's the problem.

4. Malfunctioning HVAC System

Check the air coming out of your heating vents to see if it feels hot. If the airflow feels restricted or is colder than you expect, there could be a problem with your furnace. Issues that require repairs don't always shut your heater down completely. It may still run but not heat as effectively as it should. Common issues that can cause your house to be cold include:

A clogged air filter that restricts airflow
Blocked air vents
Pilot light issues
A dirty flame sensor
Overheating in the furnace that causes it to shut down for safety
Other mechanical failures, such as damaged parts

Your HVAC system might also struggle to heat your home if it's too small. Your HVAC installer should take into consideration the square footage and other features of your home to calculate the correct furnace size. An undersized furnace runs constantly but can't heat the home properly.

If you suspect an issue with your HVAC system, call a heating and cooling specialist to inspect it. They can pinpoint the cause of the malfunction and offer repair solutions to restore your heat.

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5. Leaking Ductwork

Old or damaged ductwork allows the heated air to escape behind the walls and in spaces like your basement and attic before it reaches the main rooms in your home. That can leave you feeling colder and put more strain on your furnace as it works overtime to warm up your home.

Check the visible parts of your ductwork to look for gaps, cracks or compressed areas that might interrupt the airflow. You can apply a mastic sealant to some leaks and cover it with foil tape to improve airflow. However, the hidden ductwork could still have issues you can't access. If the ductwork is in poor condition, having it replaced by a professional can improve airflow and keep your house warmer.

6. Vent Issues

If you have one cold room, check the vents in that area to make sure they're open. Closing vents in a room you don't use often could cause problems in the rest of the house. The cold air in the closed-off room can seep into adjoining spaces, making them feel colder. Shutting certain vents also throws off the pressure inside the system. That makes the HVAC system work harder and can make it more difficult for the air to flow to the rooms you want to heat.

Opening the vents in all rooms helps restore the balance and minimize cold zones in your home. If you want to restrict heat to certain rooms, retrofit your HVAC system with dampers, which offer a more effective way to route air to specific rooms.

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