Why is My First Floor So Cold?

On the surface, it may appear that a cold part of the house is related to a home heating problem. The truth is, many homeowners suffer from uneven heating throughout the home. Even when the furnace is operating well, one room or one floor may be colder than the other. As it turns out, the flip side is also true during summertime, when the air conditioning is operating.

Keeping temperatures comfortably balanced right throughout the home is problematic for many. And while HVAC operation and thermostat location may well be factors, chances are there’s more going on that needs attention. For many homeowners, having a cold first floor could simply be an inconvenience, but for others it may be many years of overspending on utilities.

Pumping up the heat when the first floor is cold may be a short-term solution, but it’s a recipe for wasting energy and higher-than-usual utility bills. For experts like Great Northern Insulation, it’s important to get to the source. And here, there are numerous questions. Why does the HVAC have to overwork? Is the home well insulated? Is it about air movement/circulation?

In a typical home, air movement often contributes to an imbalance in indoor temperature. And because warm air rises and cool air sinks, indoor temperature is affected on every floor of the house. Worse still, homes that are poorly sealed and poorly insulated allow for air leakage, with cold air coming into the house in winter, and warm air coming in during summer.

For Great Northern Insulation, cold areas of the house (heating/cooling imbalances) usually draw attention to weaknesses in sealing, insulating, and ventilating. And because a house is a “system”, each of the three components must be performing. When resolved, balance can be restored, with improved HVAC operation, better energy efficiency, and enhanced comfort.

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At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

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Do it right the first time
- with foam masters^TM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M^TM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3M^TM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

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Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

Why is My First Floor So Cold?

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