Temperature fluctuations can happen anywhere in your home. It might feel frigid upstairs even though you have toasty temperatures on the main level. You set the thermostat and expect your heating and cooling to respond appropriately, but that isn’t always the case. Your bonus room could be cold for a few different reasons. Taking a closer look at some of the possible causes can give you the insight you need to fix the problem for good.
3 Reasons for Your Cold Bonus Room
Having a cold bonus room over the garage is one of the most common heating issues for homeowners. Whether you’re using the space as an office, the kids’ playroom, or just another area for lounging, you want it to be as cozy as the rest of your home. Honing in on these scenarios can help.
1. Poor home insulation
Noticing an extreme temperature swing when you walk into a room is a sure sign of trouble. Some bonus rooms shift as much as 10 degrees from the rest of the house. One reason for this could be poor insulation. If you don’t have a good barrier between the garage ceiling and the base of your bonus room—or from the attic area above your bonus room—then it will be difficult for the space to retain heat. This is especially true during colder weather.
Adding some new insulation to your walls and ceiling might be enough to fix the issue. Spray foam insulation, for example, has become popular because it can provide more complete coverage. Of course, if you don’t want to go that route, there are other options.
2. Too many drafts coming in
Another reason why your bonus room is so cold might be from drafts. Instead of the warm air escaping, you could be looking at cold air coming in through gaps and spaces between your windows and the walls. When you place your hand over those seams, do you feel a draft coming inside? That could be your problem.
To keep your bonus room more sealed off from the elements, you’ll want to make sure you have enough caulk around your windows. This will work to cut off any drafts that are sneaking in. Plus, it’s a good practice to follow in any room of your home. The better insulated and sealed your home is, the better off you’ll be with your energy expenses. These are relatively minor fixes, though. For some homes, you might need to opt for a more robust solution to regulate your bonus room’s temperature.
3. You need a mini-split for comfort
Correcting an ongoing heating issue can make a big difference in how relaxed you are at home. You shouldn’t have to bundle up with sweaters and blankets just to keep from shivering. When your bonus room can hold a reasonable temperature throughout the year, you’ll really be able to enjoy and make the most of that space. Installing a mini-split system can give you the control you need for a cold bonus room.
These units work with specific areas or zones of your home. Instead of relying on one thermostat to balance out every room, a mini-split lets you target those problem places directly. Working with your local HVAC company can help you take care of those hot and cold spots for good. It usually only takes a quick visit to determine the right temperature control solution for your home.
If you’re in the greater Indianapolis area, let our team at LCS Heating & Cooling help you analyze your options. We’re happy to provide FREE sales calls so you can learn more about your home’s current heating and cooling setup. Feel free to give us a call at (317) 238-3961.