Saturday, January 3, 2009

When a contractor calculates the heat loss of a home, he looks at many things. He needs to know the amount of insulation in the walls and ceilings, the number of windows and doors and how big they are, the type of construction of the house, the number of occupants, how many lights are in the home, and many other factors that affect the production and storage of heat. It's not as easy as it seems.

Even the direction the exterior walls face is important. If the side of the house that has the most windows faces north, the heat loss will be greater than if they face south. In the Northern Hemisphere, the north side of the house gets no direct sunlight through the windows in the winter months.

Simply take the time to ensure you get a heating system that will provide you with maximum comfort most of the time. In the rare occasions when it gets bitterly cold, snuggle with a loved one or just wear more clothes to keep warm at minimal expense.