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Home Comfort Improvements
Keep it Cozy
In addition to your home's heating and air conditioning systems,
there are other avenues to achieve a comfortable inside environment.
One facet of the comfort equation is controlled ventilation –
mechanically ventilating the building to reduce air moisture, exhaust
odors and stale air, and pre-condition incoming air. Another approach
is to use indoor fans, zoning and temperature control to optimize
your home's interior comfort. Heating, cooling and ventilation
professionals explain how to get the most comfort
from your environment.
Temperature Issues
Different people require different temperature settings for comfort.
We feel comfortable when our bodies lose heat at the same rate we
produce it. Understandably, heat production varies with physical
activity and our metabolic rates. At the same time, heat loss or
heat gain depends on surface temperatures in the room, air movement
and air temperature.
Room air movement is controlled by the heating and ventilation
system. The easiest factor to control is the air temperature, by
using the heating/cooling system, and adjusting the thermostat.
You can achieve different temperatures in various parts of the house
by adjusting the heat distribution system.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans provide an inexpensive means of circulating air in
your home, supplementing or replacing your air conditioning, and
sometimes aiding your heating system in the winter.
For information on choosing and installing ceiling fans for your
home, click here.
Zoning
If the space being heated is large or spread out, zoning –
that is, using more than one thermostat to control heating equipment
– may be beneficial. Zoning is also advisable when several
activities take place in the same building. For example, if you
have an area where you exercise on a treadmill or other aerobic
equipment, you would likely want to keep it cooler than a sitting
area where you read quietly or do craft work. In these cases, zoning
to provide different temperatures in each area is an attractive
option.
Programmable Thermostats
The best thermostat for your home will depend on your lifestyle
and comfort level in varying house temperatures. Using a programmable
thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or
air conditioning according to a set schedule. Programmable thermostats
can store and repeat multiple daily settings, making it easy to
maintain comfort at different times of day without having to constantly
reset your thermostat.
Before buying a programmable thermostat, chart your weekly habits
including wake-up and departure times, return home times, bedtimes,
and the temperatures that are comfortable during those times. This
will help you choose the right type of thermostat for your needs.
Also, keep in mind that if you have a heat pump, you will not be
able to use most kinds of programmable thermostats.
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