If your home feels cold in certain rooms—even though your furnace is running and may not even be that old—you’re not alone. This is one of the most common complaints homeowners across the Brooklyn Park and Twin Cities area experience during winter. And the surprising part? A newer furnace doesn’t automatically guarantee even, comfortable heat throughout your home.
Understanding why this happens can help you solve the problem—and avoid wasting money on higher energy bills while still feeling uncomfortable.
The “Cold Room” Problem Is Rarely Just the Furnace
When a homeowner calls Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning about uneven heating, the furnace itself is only part of the equation. Your heating system works as a team, and when one part is off, comfort suffers.
Here are the most common reasons certain rooms stay cold in winter.
- Uneven or Restricted Airflow
Your furnace may be producing plenty of heat, but that warm air still has to reach every room. Common airflow issues include:
- Ductwork that’s too small or poorly designed
- Crushed or disconnected ducts
- Closed or blocked vents (often by furniture or rugs)
- Dirty air filters restricting air movement
When airflow is limited, the rooms farthest from the furnace—or those on upper levels—often feel noticeably colder.
What this means: Your furnace works harder, runs longer, and still doesn’t deliver comfort where you need it most.
- Improper System Sizing
A furnace that’s too small for the home will struggle to keep up during Minnesota’s coldest stretches. One that’s too large can cycle on and off too quickly, never distributing heat evenly.
This often happens when:
- A home was renovated or expanded
- Insulation or windows were changed
- The original system wasn’t properly sized to begin with
Proper sizing isn’t about square footage alone—it involves airflow, insulation levels, ceiling height, and more.
- Poor Insulation or Air Leaks
Even a perfectly functioning heating system can’t overcome heat loss. Cold rooms are often:
- Above garages
- Located on exterior corners of the home
- Near older windows or doors
- In basements or finished attics
If warm air escapes faster than it can be replaced, those rooms will always feel chilly.
This is why some rooms feel drafty even when the heat is on.
- Thermostat Placement Matters More Than You Think
Your thermostat controls the entire home—but it only senses temperature in one location. If it’s installed in a warmer area, the furnace may shut off before colder rooms are comfortable.
In multi-level homes, this imbalance becomes even more noticeable.
- Aging or Unbalanced Ductwork
Duct systems naturally shift, settle, and degrade over time. Older homes especially may have:
- Leaky duct joints
- Poorly sealed transitions
- Imbalanced airflow between rooms
A professional airflow evaluation can often reveal issues that aren’t visible to the homeowner.
What Can Actually Fix Cold Rooms?
The solution depends on the root cause, which is why a one-size-fits-all answer rarely works. Options may include:
- Airflow adjustments and duct balancing
- Duct sealing or repairs
- System evaluations to confirm proper sizing
- Smart thermostat zoning solutions
- Insulation or air-sealing recommendations
This is where experience matters. Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning looks at the entire system, not just the furnace itself.
Why Professional Diagnosis Makes a Difference
Home comfort problems are often misdiagnosed as “you just need a new furnace.” In reality, many homeowners can dramatically improve comfort without replacing their system—when the real issue is identified correctly.
Serving both residential and light commercial properties, Marsh Heating helps homeowners throughout Brooklyn Park and the surrounding Twin Cities area pinpoint the true cause of uneven heating and recommend solutions that make sense for the home and the budget.
Still Cold at Home?
If certain rooms in your house never seem to warm up, it’s a sign that something in the system isn’t working as it should. Addressing it now can improve comfort, lower energy bills, and reduce wear on your furnace during the harsh winter months.