From rooms that get uncomfortable at certain times of the day or season to sweltering attics and freezing basements, no one likes hot and cold spots in their home. What if we told you there’s a way to get rid of house hot and cold spots while improving your home’s efficiency and potentially even your health? Let’s talk about home performance.
What Causes House Hot and Cold Spots?
Three major causes of hot and cold spots in a home are insulation issues, ventilation issues, and HVAC issues. Poor insulation can mean attics and basements are hot and cold, or that things are heating/cooling the wrong places (such as ductwork cooling crawlspaces or a water heater heating the space around it). Ventilation issues can mean the fans and ductwork aren’t delivering treated air to the right places or circulating it properly. And a failing HVAC, furnace, or AC unit can also mean you can’t keep indoor temps down or up.
Consequences Beyond Home Comfort
It’s important to know that hot and cold spots aren’t just a comfort issue—they can impact your health and that of your family, primarily through reducing air quality.
- Moisture and cold spots can create mold. If you have high moisture in the air, such as from a bathroom, and it meets a cold spot, it will condense and form water. Over time, this water can allow mold to grow, impacting air quality with its spores.
- Hot spots can increase the risk of toxic gases and fire. While not normally a risk, hot spot areas can become a danger when extreme temperatures occur. Materials and products stored there can release toxic gases and even catch fire.
Three Home Performance Solutions to Hot & Cold Spots
Home performance updates and upgrades can improve your home’s comfort, health, and energy efficiency. Specifically for hot and cold spots, three top solutions include:
- Insulation Installation: Especially in basements and attics, insulation can significantly reduce hot and cold spots. Attic insulation, crawlspace insulation, and basement insulation are all good options for improving insulation.
- Air Sealing & Weatherization: Sealing air leaks by caulking cracks and holes that all homes have, and applying weatherstripping, can mean less conditioned air leaking out of your home. Learn more about it here.
- Ventilation Renovations: When it comes to ventilation solutions, you’ll want to update your ductwork and HVAC to get air where it needs to go, and consider whole-house ventilation using an attic fan.
Learn more in our article, What are the 3 Most Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency Renovations?
St. Louis Home Performance & Comfort Specialists
Here at Greenmark Home Performance, we firmly believe in a whole-home approach that not only provides comfort, but also improves efficiency and health in your house. We start with a home evaluation, identify any problems and areas for improvement, and build a plan that addresses all your issues. Learn more about us and reach out today to get started: call us at (314) 845-9144 or fill out our contact form. Talk to you soon!
