BUD MATTHEWS SERVICES IS OPEN AND READY TO SERVE. We recognize our services are often emergency in nature, and we remain fully committed to fulfilling the needs of our community. Learn more here!
Serving the Chapel Hill Area for Over 40 Years!
Image

Uneven Heating: Why It’s Happening in Your Home

Posted on: October 15, 2018

We know the weather is still warm, but it’s already time to consider your home’s central heating—because soon it will be one of the most crucial systems in your house. We strongly advise you have regular maintenance for your heater with our technicians. We make it simple with our HVAC maintenance agreement. Once you have this service completed, your home’s heating system has the best chance of running through the winter without major problems.

However, maintenance cannot stop all problems, particularly for an old heating system. One trouble you may run into is uneven heating around your home. Family members may start to complain about their rooms feeling too cold, while elsewhere you may encounter rooms becoming too stuffy. Why does this happen? There are several possible explanations.

A malfunctioning zone control system

Does your home have zone controls installed that allow you to close off heating to some rooms and not others? This is an excellent upgrade for a house, but it can malfunction and lead to poor heat distribution. The problem could be in the various satellite thermostats around the house sensing incorrect temperatures, or it might be stuck dampers in the ductwork. An HVAC expert can diagnose what’s going on with the zone controls and fix them.

General central thermostat issues

The main thermostat (or only thermostat if you don’t have zone controls) can become miscalibrated, which will cause the heating system to turn on and off at the wrong times. When this happens, you’ll discover either hot or cold spots in the house. The thermostat may also be in a poor position, where it’s picking up “ghost readings” from drafts or direct sunlight. An expert can recalibrate the thermostat or discover what other problems are causing the heater to turn on and off when it shouldn’t.

Clogged air filter

Here’s a problem that is extremely common, but also one that’s easy to avoid and remedy. The air filter for the HVAC system protects the cabinet interior from dust and lint flowing through the return air ducts. The filter gradually becomes clogged with the debris it catches. This can take from 1 to 3 months. Since the AC system uses the same filter, you might start off the heating season with a congested filter—and this will throttle airflow to the rooms and a drop in comfort in some areas. Make sure to change the filter routinely to avoid this.

Duct leaks

Breaks in the ductwork allows heated air to escape before it reaches rooms. This not only creates colder rooms, it raises energy bills and may lower indoor air quality. You can’t seal these leaks yourself with duct tape. The job requires professionals.

Aging heating system

The heater itself may be wearing down to the point it cannot perform its job. When you call for heating repair in Chapel Hill, NC from our professionals, ask them about whether the heater is too old to continue repairing. Our technicians will give you an honest answer and arrange for the services you need for excellent heating in the future.

Bud Matthews Services—for all your home service needs! Take care of any heating repairs you need with a call to us.

Testimonials
See What Your Neighbors Are Saying

“Many heartfelt thanks to the people I talked with on the phone late this afternoon who were concerned enough to send Pat over to check on our frozen pipes and dripping shower. Pat was so kind and professional and fixed...”

– Rindi

“Bud, I want to send my thanks to your company and especially to Scott. He got into more than he bargained for on our project yesterday. He went out and got different parts and went the extra mile to make...”

– Dave W.

“They were professional, honest, and cleaned-up after their work, and even took the shop-vacuum around the living room for good measure (we have a GSD - say no more)! Nice folks.”

– Judith A. – Pittsboro, NC

“Bud Mathew responded to our call even though it was made during the weekend. Plumber came to the house, identified the problem, gave us a temporary fix and suggested we wait until Monday to fix it. (That saved us some...”

– Gloria C. – Carrboro, NC

“They replaced a number of parts in my old Maytag dryer. It has been very reliable for 26 years and I want to keep it rather than buy a new one. Works great now!”

– Jane S. – Chapel Hill, NC

“Repair people were punctual and cordial. They troubleshot a problem, trying different approaches when the first try didn't work to clear the line. They explained everything they were doing as they did it while we watched. They were very efficient...”

– Diana B. – Efland, NC

“We were very happy with the process and outcome. Noah was very responsive. If he couldn't answer his phone when I called, he quickly returned calls. Everyone was very polite and respectful. They did a great job. Noah made good...”

– Jeffrey H. – Durham, NC

“They fixed my LG Front Load Washing Machine, which was leaking. They also helped me level it properly. They were on time, they provided clear estimates, they were professional, and they clearly explained every step of the process to me...”

– Lindsey S. – Chapel Hill, NC
See More Reviews
Certifications & Affiliations
X

We recognize that our services are of a special and often emergency nature, and we remain fully committed to fulfilling the needs of our community even as potential demand for our services may increase with more families either choosing to or being required to remain home for extended periods of time. More importantly, the safety of our employees and customers is always our highest priority, and we recognize that heightened diligence and focus on health and safety is required during these challenging times. We are actively monitoring updates from the CDC, WHO and local health officials; and we have been proactively and continually implementing measures and developing plans to prioritize the health and well-being of our employees and customers. Including:

  • Equipping all technicians with masks, gloves, and disinfectants.
  • Social distancing – Avoid handshakes and limit direct contact with customers during their visit.
  • Requiring technicians to clean all surfaces with disinfectants before and after performing work.
  • Requiring all employees to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing or fever.