from Dave in Milwaukee, WI:
#679
My house warms up just fine but does not seem to hold the heat for a long period of time. Do you have any suggestions?
Have a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR evaluation.
All homes lose heat during cold weather. The greater the temperature difference that exists between the inside of your home and the outside, the greater and faster will be the heat loss (the closer you set your thermostat to the outdoor temperature, the less heat is lost). In other words, the greatest driving force for heat loss is temperature difference.
Heat loss is also influenced by the size, shape, and height of your home, where it is located (urban, wooded, windy, etc.), and how well it is air-sealed and insulated. Other contributing factors are the number of windows, their orientation to the sun, the type of windows (fixed glass or moveable sashes), the overall efficiency of the windows (single pane, double pane, low-e coatings, storms), the shading of the windows (trees, nearby buildings, etc.). The number (and size) of exterior doors is another variable. The number and size of “active” chimneys can also influence heat loss as they allow conditioned air to be drafted up their vertical shafts and vented to the exterior. That conditioned air is replaced by cold air that is reheated by your heating system.
It sounds like your home would be a good candidate for a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® evaluation. The best way to begin is by contacting a consultant or qualified contractor who partners with Focus on Energy to arrange a Home Performance with ENERY STAR evaluation. Based upon the performance testing and evaluation, your consultant or qualified contractor can determine the causes for why your house loses heat and make recommendations to remedy the situation.
Published Tuesday, May 18, 2010