Why is one room in my house always colder than the others?

Concerns & risks

Your living room feels fine, but the back bedroom is always freezing.

Uncomfortable sleep and high bills from space heaters.

Causes & evidence

Closed or blocked vents, leaky windows or missing insulation make one room lose heat faster.

What to do

1. Make sure the vent is open and not under furniture.
2. Feel the airflow. Weak? Check the furnace filter and other vents.
3. Hunt drafts around windows and doors (hold a candle or incense stick nearby).
4. Add weatherstripping, heavy curtains and a door sweep.

Common mistakes: Closing vents in other rooms can upset airflow. Don't block vents with furniture. Replace filters per your system's schedule. Check windows and doors in that room for drafts, and feel the airflow at the vent compared with other rooms. Sealing gaps with weatherstripping often helps. If the room sits over a garage or at the end of a long duct run, an HVAC pro can check balancing.

Speed Man tip: If insulation is missing, an energy audit can find it. Many utilities offer them.

Wrap-up: Check that the vent is open and unblocked. Seal drafts around windows and doors. Consider an energy audit for insulation gaps.