Why Your Home Feels Cold Even When the Thermostat Is High

Have you ever found yourself in a confusing situation, particularly during winter, where the thermostat is set at a comfortable temperature, yet certain rooms are still cold and uncomfortable? Well, surprisingly, this situation has led people to think that their heating system at home is not functioning as it should. However, that’s not always true, as the situation does not have anything to do with the thermostat.

The experts on the use of energy state that it’s not just about increasing the temperature in the building to make it comfortable. They assert that the heat could be going out of the building through the walls, as they are not well-insulated.

Insulation and Heat Loss

Ever wondered what could be one of the most common causes of a cold home in such a situation? What happens is that these insulation materials act as barriers that slow the movement of heat from warm indoor spaces to the colder outdoors. When insulation is missing or outdated, heat escapes quickly through walls, ceilings, and floors.


As suggested by the United States Department of Energy Energy Saver program, well-insulated homes are known to minimize heat transfer. Houses that are not well-insulated in terms of attic space, wall space, or floors are known to lose a lot of heat in cold weather. This means the heating system will need to work harder to warm a poorly insulated home.

Another factor that affects the amount of heat loss in a home is through the small openings in the building envelope, where warm air escapes and cold air leaks in. The Energy Saver programme, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy, states that air leaks that are not controlled cause drafts that are easily felt by people in the room, even though the thermostat indicates that the temperature is comfortable.

Heating System Efficiency

Heating equipment is also important in the provision of comfortable temperatures. Old or poorly maintained heating equipment, as well as those that are partly obstructed, may not adequately circulate warm air throughout the house.

According to the Department of Energy, furnaces and heating equipment should be regularly maintained. This includes replacing filters, clearing obstructed vents, and arranging for the inspection of the heating equipment. Filters that are dirty or obstructed may not allow the heating equipment to work efficiently.

Windows are another key area where heat loss occurs. This is particularly true for older homes with single-pane glass or older window seals. As the Energy Saver program points out, "Old, poorly insulated windows allow cold air to leak into your home while warm air escapes outside."

Upgrading to double-pane or low-e glass can help reduce this heat transfer. However, for those not yet prepared to invest in new windows, thermal curtains or cellular shades can be an alternative.

How to solve this hidden problem?

So, the basic reason why the house feels cold, in spite of the thermostat setting being very high, is not due to any single factor. It is due to several factors, including gaps in the house’s insulation, air leaks, thermostat placement issues, and heating system inefficiencies.

Energy experts stress that improving the house’s insulation, sealing air leaks, maintaining the heating equipment, and optimizing thermostat placement can collectively solve the problems. In fact, homeowners find that their homes feel warmer with lower thermostat settings.