INSULATION CRUCIAL FOR MAINTAINING HEAT IN YOUR HOME

Energy effectiveness is crucial to reducing your energy expense nowadays, particularly in the winter season when you have to run your heating system. With the insulation choices nowadays, you should have no issue keeping the heat in your house to decrease your dependency on energy options. Insulation’s main function is to decrease the heat flowing into and out of your house. In the summertime, insulation keeps the outdoor heat from creeping inside while in the winter season, it traps heat inside the home to prevent it from leaving.

Choosing the ideal type of insulation and knowing just how much to use is essential. You need to know how it should be installed in the attic, walls, and ceilings as well as the foundation and floors of your home. When you can guarantee there are no air leaks in your home and add proper insulation, you can significantly minimize your energy bill and reliance on nonrenewable fuel sources.

Four Basic Kinds of Insulation

4 standard kinds of insulation exist: liquid foam, loose fill, stiff foam, and rolls or bats (blankets). The blanketed and loose fill is most often used in homes, especially in attics, in between flooring joists, in the walls, and in between rafters in the roof. Liquid foam is mainly utilized in walls as it is the best product to seal any potential air leakages and create an airtight home. Rigid foam resembles sheets of foam and is typically utilized in the out walls of a home and other outside applications.

When you choose the insulation for your house, there are several elements you must consider. First, will the insulation position any danger to your household? Is it made up of products that are hazardous to the environment, particularly your house? Think about the long-term efficiency your insulation will offer. You want its insulating residential or commercial properties to last for several years.

If you already have insulation however you are replacing it or including more, you must learn just how much is already there. Step the density of the insulation already present so that you can get an R-value from the house improvement store and choose whether you need to include more insulation and how much. The R-value varies depending upon where you live as well as exactly what heat pump you use: gas or electrical. Your goal is to strive for a greater R-value than what is needed by your location to guarantee optimum insulating properties.

You will notice in your insulation shopping that there is a range of products to choose from. Fiberglass is without a doubt the most popular in the rolls of insulation that you lay out but it is tough to deal with since the glass-like fibers can enter your skin. Special protective equipment is used when working with fiberglass. Cellulose, cotton, mineral wool, lamb’s wool, and recycled paper and material are also utilized as insulation.

Each type of insulation material has a different R-value so you must keep that in perspective when looking for not just the type of insulation but the product it is made from. Obviously, where you are utilizing the insulation is another mitigating factor in your choice. Call a heating contractor for more information on the most suitable insulation for your home.

In addition to checking your insulation, now is a good time of year to have your heat pump serviced for maximum efficiency. Call North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air today to schedule a time for one of our technicians to come out to your home and check out your heating system.

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North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air
1001 2nd Ave N
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-399-3237
https://www.northmyrtlebeachheatingandair.com/

WINTER HEATING HACKS FOR A WARMER HOUSE

Your home should be warm and cozy in winter. While raising your thermostat can make your home warmer, it can also increase your energy bills. But there are ways you can heat your home without increasing your heating costs. These winter heating hacks will help you keep the cool out and warmth in your home:

1. Install a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow you to control the temperature of your home throughout the day. They can be set to adjust at any time, so it doesn’t need to stay at 68°F all the time. The thermostat can be programmed to lower the temperature at night or when there is no one home, so you can keep your house warm while you are awake. You can set the thermostat to return to normal when you get up, or when you return home from work so that you don’t step into a cold house.

2. Check that heating vents remain open and not blocked

It is a myth that closing vents will make your home more efficient by not heating unoccupied rooms. The HVAC system in your home was designed to produce the same amount of hot air regardless of how many vents you have open. Vents that are too tightly closed can cause the system to work harder, which will lead to higher energy bills and more damage. Vents can be partially closed to help push air into the right places, but you should leave at least 25% of them open.

3. Add a door draft stopper

Draft guards can prevent cold air from getting into your home through doors. These handy objects, often covered with fabric and weighed down with sand are placed at the front doors to stop cold air from seeping in. If you are so inclined, you can make your own. Cut a length of fabric that fits your doorway. Then, make a tube from it and fill it with whatever stuffing you prefer before closing it. While a draft stopper will not eliminate the cool breeze from entering your door when you open it, it can help keep the door closed.

4. Use bubble wrap or plastic film to insulate windows

Bubble wrap and plastic film are inexpensive and easy to use as window insulators. Window film insulation kits can be made from transparent shrink film, which creates a barrier for drafty windows. Cut the sheet of plastic to fit your window. Apply adhesive tape to the frame of the window and then seal it with a hairdryer.

5. Seal your windows

Sealing windows is another smart move. To keep drafts out and heat in your home, replace old caulking with weatherstripping. First, clean out the window frame of any caulk that has deteriorated. Next, you will need to use a caulk gun and slowly apply a thin layer of caulk along the seams of the window. Finish by smoothing the caulk using your finger. Seal the interior of your windows if you’re looking to go the extra mile. Sealing your windows prevents drafts which ultimately helps your heat pump perform better.

6. On a sunny day, open the curtains

This hack for housewarming is completely free! Check the weather before you go out for the day. Open the curtains and blinds around your house if the sun is shining. Nature will heat your home free of charge. To prevent cold air from entering your home at night, close all the curtains.

7. Turn your ceiling fan on reverse

This is a great hack that’s often overlooked. To pull cool air up, your ceiling fan should be turned clockwise in the summer. Fans can also be used in winter to heat your home.

8. Keep interior doors open

Not the exterior doors, of course. But the interior doors of your home. This might seem to contradict the idea that closing some doors will result in less heat being generated overall. Air can circulate in your home if you keep your doors open. This will regulate the temperature in the entire house.

9. Boost insulation

This step is more time-consuming, but it can save you money. It might be time to inspect your insulation if it hasn’t been inspected in a while. Insulation will regulate the temperature inside your home and prevent heat from escaping to the basement or attic. Call a North Myrtle Beach heating contractor to increase your home’s insulation.

10. Bake some delicious treats

Want to get warm quickly? To warm up your home, turn on the oven while you bake your favorite dessert. After you are done baking, close the oven door but leave it a little bit open and let it cool down.

Does your HVAC system struggle with keeping your home warm in the winter? Call North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air today! We can help you with all of your heating needs.

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North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air
1001 2nd Ave N
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-399-3237
https://www.northmyrtlebeachheatingandair.com/

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FOR HEATING YOUR HOME

Homeowners must ensure their homes are safe. However, many homeowners fail to realize the dangers associated with heating.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home heating mishaps account for as many as 500 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and a quarter of a billion dollars in property damage each year in the United States.

Home Heating Safety Tips

A space heater, like any other tool, can be an important part of your holiday heating plan. It can be difficult to keep the house warm with holiday guests or parties. There are some important points to remember when selecting supplemental heat sources such as space heaters.

You should choose a space heater for indoor use

It can be tempting just to grab a patio heater to heat your dining room for the holiday party. However, this is a dangerous idea and could prove to be very dangerous. The fuel source for heaters meant for outdoor use is often gasoline or kerosene. Homeowners should not use these heaters indoors. The way these heaters vent exhaust can make your home dangerous and could potentially lead to the release of poisonous gases like carbon monoxide.

Choose a ceramic space heater

Burns from the surface is another potential danger of home space heaters. Convection heating is the most common method of heating space heaters. The heaters have a hot piece, then the air is forced to the hot area to heat the room. Older models of home heaters were equipped with exposed metal wires and grates, which could easily burn someone. You should choose a heater that does not heat the parts and is safe for your pets and family.

Look out for safety features built-in

Modern space heaters are designed to protect your family’s safety. You should look for space heaters that automatically turn off if it is knocked over, or the heating element heats up too much. Even with all these safety features, it is important to only operate your space heater when you are nearby and awake. You should never leave your space heater on in an empty room or while you’re sleeping.

Placement is important.

Home heaters can often cause fires when drapes and furniture are too close to them. The heating elements and some cords can heat up, as we have already discussed. These heating elements should not be placed underneath carpeting, rugs, or near furniture or drapery. Make sure you read all instructions and keep it away from any other household items.

Is it safer to use a whole-house heater or furnace?

While some of the hazards of home heater safety can be eliminated if you use heating systems throughout your home, there are still safety concerns to consider.

Heating systems that rely upon hot water pipes or radiators can cause severe burns and scorching. Your family and guests should be aware of hot spots in your heating system. Keep clothing, decorations, gifts, and other items away from hot spots.

Carbon monoxide can build up in furnaces due to clogged filters or faulty ignition systems. To avoid safety problems with your home heater, make sure you change your filters frequently, install a carbon monoxide detector and have your furnace serviced annually. Your heating oil tank should be full before the holidays.

When they forget to fill up their heating oil tanks, people often resort to supplemental heat sources. You can avoid potential dangers by being careful.

Call North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air now if you need help in keeping your heating system efficient and fully functional this winter season.

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North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air
1001 2nd Ave N
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-399-3237
https://www.northmyrtlebeachheatingandair.com/

Serving: North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing, Little River, Longs, Cherry Grove

COMMON HEATING PROBLEMS AND THE BEST WAYS TO FIX THEM

Winter will soon arrive, and the only thing worse than being trapped out in the weather is being without heat. It’s an awful feeling to be stuck in a cold home due to the fact that your HVAC system fell victim to a common heating problem.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to avoid that; with appropriate maintenance, your heating system will last longer, run more effectively as well as save money. It will also help you prevent the following common heating problems, and keep you warm all winter.

Dealing With Common Heating Problems

• Dirty filters

In addition to restricting airflow, unclean filters allow for things such as dust, dander, and pollen to develop and lower air quality, while also making the cooling and heating North Myrtle Beach system work harder. It’s highly recommended that air filters are changed out monthly to keep the system working at its best over a long period of time.

• System Constantly Turning On and Off

If your heating and cooling system is continually turning off and on, you probably have a short cycling problem. This means there is a problem internally in the system with the flow. Fortunately, there are two basic methods to detect the cause: dirty air filters and defective thermostats.

If filters are limiting airflow it could trigger the device to falsely spot that the appropriate temperature level was reached, even if it was not. The other problem might be with the thermostat and not the heater at all. See to it the system is working properly and isn’t really in direct sunlight or near another heat source.

If the filters are clean and the thermostat is working appropriately, then you might be facing an improperly sized heating system, a rusty flame sensor, or a block in the chimney or air vent.

• Routine Wear and Tear

Bearings burn out and belts break eventually. It’s just how it goes. However, you can extend the life of heating systems with yearly routine upkeep and assessments.

• Blower Motor Runs Continuously

If you hear the heating system running nonstop for a prolonged period of time, there could be a couple of problems at hand.

Begin with the thermostat. Turn it down to make sure the heating system isn’t just aiming to provide the demanded heat. This is generally the case on incredibly cold days. If the concern continues, check to make sure the heat pump is still working. The heat pump is located outside of your home. Make sure it is clear of debris and the fan is running properly.

Lastly, to repeat, inspect your filters. It is really essential to the maintenance and smooth operation of HVAC equipment.

If none of these appears to fix the problem, it might be time to call in a professional HVAC contractor. The concern could be in any number of switches or other electronic components.

There is nothing more miserable than being cold when you live in the south. Call North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air today if you are experiencing heating problems and we will come out and inspect your HVAC system.

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North Myrtle Beach Heating & Air
1001 2nd Ave N
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
843-399-3237
https://www.northmyrtlebeachheatingandair.com/

Serving: North Myrtle Beach, Barefoot Landing, Little River, Longs, Cherry Grove