Cold back bedrooms, a chilly room over the garage and an attic that never warms are common in Chicago homes, many of which were converted from radiators to forced air.
Forced-air homes
Long or undersized duct runs
Rooms at the end of a long run get the least air. Conversions often squeezed ducts into tight spaces.
Leaky ducts
Ducts in unheated basements, crawlspaces and attics lose heat through gaps and joints. Sealing them sends more heat where it belongs. See duct sealing and repair.
Blocked vents and returns
Furniture over registers and rooms without a return path (doors closed, no return grille) reduce airflow.
Dampers
Many older systems have balancing dampers in the basement ductwork, often set for summer cooling. Adjusting them seasonally helps.
Radiator homes
Air trapped in hot-water radiators, stuck steam vents, half-open valves or an unbalanced system leave some rooms behind. See why a boiler won’t heat the radiators.
The room itself
Drafty windows, little insulation over garages and in knee walls, and exterior corners lose heat faster than the system can replace it.
Fixes that work
- Seal and balance ducts.
- Add a return in closed-off rooms.
- Zoning or a two-stage or modulating furnace for steadier heat.
- A ductless head for rooms the main system can’t reach.
- Smart thermostats with remote sensors.
A technician can measure airflow and temperatures room by room. Call (312) 924-7223.