The heating load of your home refers to how much your home’s heating system has to run to keep it comfortable. The size of your home affects it directly, but other, smaller attributes of your home impact the load as well. The amount of insulation, all its air leaks large and small, and the heat lost through the windows contribute too.
Getting the right balance of humidity in the home can be a challenge. Often, in the summer, it seems as if conditions are too moist, while in the winter, the indoor air quality may be too dry. Read on to learn how to maintain the right balance in your home, all year long.
In climates with long, cold winters, radiant heating is generally regarded as the most comfortable, although forced-air heating systems still dominate, even in Michigan. Radiant heat mimics the sun. It heats objects instead of the air, and by doing so, creates even, long-lasting heat.
It’s winter in Michigan, and you’re likely already interacting with your home’s heating system at various levels. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a basic grounding in HVAC terminology. Knowing the basic lingo can help you when it comes to troubleshooting heating system problems, performing routine maintenance, and devising strategies to save energy.
Of all the decisions you make as a homeowner, few impact your comfort and budget as much as home heating systems. The two most common types include forced-air furnaces and heat pumps, along with radiant heating systems. Both provide comfortable and dependable home heating, but one may be better than the other based on the layout of your home or family health circumstances.
They’re easy to overlook, but your heat vents play an important role in your heating system’s ability to get you through the Grand Traverse County area’s chilly winters comfortably and economically. Keeping those vents clean helps ensure they can do their job.
When you are installing a new heating system, it is sized to meet the heating load of your home. If your home becomes less efficient over the years due to air leaks, ailing ducts, failing insulation, or simply increased demand, your furnace is going to be in trouble, and so are your energy bills and comfort.
Furnaces are workhorse systems that provide the majority of home heating in the Grand Traverse County area. Though reliable, conventional furnaces may not maintain the level of home comfort you expect, which is especially disconcerting when you’re paying for higher energy.
With temperatures in the area cooling down, there’s no better time to start thinking about how to heat your Grand Traverse County home this winter. If you’re looking for something different from the typical forced-air furnace, consider having radiant flooring installed.
As winter comes to Grand Traverse County, keeping your home comfortable is an important concern. Another important concern is keeping your energy bills under control as you try to stay warm. The furnace may be running, but is the heat staying in your house? Heat loss forces your furnace to run longer to make your home comfortable, driving up your energy bills and ultimately wearing out your HVAC system faster. How do you prevent this? There are several steps you can take.
