What Does ‘Home Comfort’ Actually Mean?
Home comfort is important to your overall happiness and health—both physical and financial. Creating the ideal indoor environment includes several factors: air temperature, humidity and air quality. Read on to learn how these elements work together to optimize your home’s comfort level.
Temperature
Heating and Cooling
The average homeowner spends a lot of money on household energy, especially to heat and cool our homes. How much you spend depends on where you live, and the length of the heating or cooling season. The forms of energy used to deliver ideal home temperatures also matter.
According to Stats Canada, natural gas is used by almost half of Canadian households, electricity is used by one-third, while wood is used by only 4%. However, wood used in wood stoves or fireplaces are often a secondary source, and more for the cozy ambience they create.
Ideal Temperatures
During the heating season when occupants are home and awake, temperatures should fall in the range between 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. When household members are asleep or away, between 16 to 18 degrees Celsius is recommended. Your home should be somewhat warmer for seniors and infants. Ensuring optimal night-time temperatures will allow you to get a better night’s sleep, as well as save on energy costs.
Control
For energy savings in makes sense to regulate the temperature using a wall thermostat. Most thermostats include settings for daily and weekly programs. The newest generation of thermostats are the “smart thermostats”, that can be easily controlled from anywhere, using your iPhone, smartphone, or tablet.
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Humidity
The level of humidity in the air can affect your home comfort, as well as the proper functioning of your heating or air conditioning unit. If humidity is an issue with your home’s air quality, then you may want to consider a humidifier or dehumidifier. In the winter months, it’s essential to add moisture, while it is more important to have drier air in the summer.
Air Quality
Indoor air quality is important to protect the health of household members. Air pollutants can include mould, fungi, bacteria, house dust mites, pollen, and spores. Air contaminants come in the form of vapours, gases, and particles. You can protect your home’s air quality by taking various measures:
Air Ventilation and Circulation
One of the easiest ways is to use your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. You can do this by setting your system to the “fan only” option. This option will move interior air and pass it through your filter system.
Ceiling Fans
Not only are ceiling fans attractive, they also serve a function by moving air around the room.
Exhaust Fans and Vents
Ventilation is especially important in the kitchen and the bathroom. Exhaust fans draw moist air outward and remove contaminants from the air. Make sure that your stove, dryer, and bathroom exhaust fans vent outside. Your home will also have exhaust vents in the attic which help warm air flow out from the roof.
Duct Cleaning
Having your home’s ductwork professionally cleaned will also protect your health and energy consumption costs. A lot of nasty stuff can collect in your ductwork, such as dust, cobwebs, fungus and even mould. With all this debris piled up, your furnace has to work harder to filter and push clean air throughout your home.
Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Protect yourself and your family by installing at lest one carbon monoxide (CO) detector, and smoke detectors outside each bedroom, and sleeping area, and on each level of your home, including the basement.
Looking to learn more about the importance of home comfort and how we can help you achieve this? Contact us today for a free quote!
