Sometimes you can have a room or two in your home or apartment that just seems colder than the others. There can be several reasons for that problem and solutions range from easy to kind of difficult.

In this article we will look at some of the more common problems that can cause a cold room and what can be done to solve the problem. Let's start with some of the easier problems to repair.

EASY FIXES

Heating register is closed or not adequately opened
- Open or adjust heat registers.

Dirty furnace filter is reducing air flow
- Change furnace filter.

Heating ducts are crazy dirty with debris!
- Vacuum out ducts with high power shop vacuum.

Hot air from furnace coming out of heating register is blocked by furniture or draperies or carpeting
- Move furniture, drapes or carpet as needed.

Thermostat located in an area where it gets warm quickly
- Move thermostat or reduce heat register opening in warm area so it does not get warm so fast and is more equal to other areas. See How to Install a Thermostat.

Thermostat is not functioning properly, or is improperly set or adjusted
- Troubleshoot thermostat, adjust thermostat or replace.

Leaky / drafty windows or doors
- Weatherstrip, caulk / seal air leaks and if possible, add storm window or storm door.

MODERATE FIXES

High ceiling space 
- Add reversible ceiling fan to create better mixture of air.

Inadequate insulation in walls, roof or attic 
- Add insulation as appropriate. Blown in or foam in low access spaces, fiberglass or loose fill blow in in attic, fiberglass in basement / crawl ceiling.
- Add supplemental heat such as electric heat.

Inadequate roof vents along eaves to circulate air and vent the roof cavity 
- Install attic vents in soffit and ventilation chutes at eaves to aid in air circulation.

Uninsulated living area floor over unheated area below (garage, basement, crawl) 
- Insulate floor of living area and add supplemental heat to unheated area below.

MORE DIFFICULT FIXES

Improper duct sizing or design 
- Add supplemental duct / register or add supplemental heating source such as electric heat.

Inadequate cold-air returns in heating system 
- Aid circulation by shortening doors or adding louvers to doors to rooms with no return ductwork.