How to Fix Hot and Cold Rooms in Your Bay Area Home

Every Bay Area homeowner seems to have that one room: You bump the thermostat up, and one room finally feels okay… while the rest of the house turns into an oven.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone — and you don't have to just "live with it."

Common Causes of Hot & Cold Rooms

1. Ductwork Issues

• Blocked or closed vents and dampers
• Leaky ducts losing conditioned air
• Undersized or poorly designed ductwork
• Sealed ducts that should be open

2. Insulation & Air Leaks

• Poor insulation in certain rooms or zones
• Air leaks around doors, windows, or electrical outlets
• Attic temperature extremes affecting upper floors
• Crawl space temperature affecting lower levels

3. Thermostat Location

• Thermostat in a cold hallway reads lower than living space
• Thermostat in warm sunlight reads higher than actual temperature
• Poor air circulation around the thermostat

4. System Capacity Issues

• HVAC system too small for your home
• Furnace or AC struggling to keep up
• Heat pump in very cold weather

5. Sun Exposure

• South/west-facing rooms get too much heat
• North-facing rooms stay cooler
• Lack of window treatments affecting temperature

Solutions from Simple to Advanced

Simple (DIY)

1. Check vents and dampers: Make sure supply and return vents are fully open
2. Seal air leaks: Use caulk around windows, door sweeps on doors
3. Install window treatments: Thermal curtains or cellular shades
4. Rearrange furniture: Allow air to flow freely through vents

Moderate (Professional)

1. Duct sealing: Professional technicians seal leaky ducts
2. Ductwork balancing: Adjust dampers for proper airflow distribution
3. Thermostat relocation: Move to more representative location
4. Add insulation: Blown-in attic or wall insulation

Advanced (System Changes)

1. Install HVAC zoning: Multi-zone system with separate thermostats
2. Ductless mini-splits: Perfect for individual rooms or zones
3. System replacement: Upgrade to properly-sized heat pump or dual-stage system
4. Whole-house system assessment: Professional inspection and recommendations

HVAC Zoning: The Most Popular Solution

If you frequently have temperature imbalance issues, HVAC zoning might be perfect:

• Separate thermostats for different areas of your home
• One furnace/heat pump controls multiple zones
• Each zone can be set to its own comfortable temperature
• Costs less than individual systems
• Works with existing ductwork

When to Call a Professional

Call Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning if:

• The problem persists after checking vents
• You suspect ductwork issues
• You want to explore zoning options
• Your system can't keep up with demand

We'll diagnose the issue and recommend the best solution for your Bay Area home.