Here in Aurora, temperatures drop and we use many types of heat to keep our homes warm. In 2020, since we are spending even more time at home, it is imperative that you manage not only the heat but any resulting humidity and water damage that might result from running the system. From our water damage cleanup experts, here are the most popular heating sources and some potential water damage situations:
An electric furnace is inexpensive to install, safe to operate and requires little maintenance. It provides years of dependable service. Ideal for homes, apartments, mobile homes, offices and more, the simple design and compact size of these furnaces makes installation and maintenance easy.
A heat pump is a year-round comfort conditioning system that uses refrigeration equipment to supply warm air in winter and cool air in summer. Like an air conditioner, it can cool your home, but it’s also capable of providing heat. In cooler months, a heat pump pulls heat from the cold outdoor air and transfers it indoors, and in warmer months, it pulls heat out of indoor air to cool your home. They are powered by electricity and transfer heat using refrigerant to provide comfort all year round. Because they handle both cooling and heating, homeowners may not need to install separate systems to heat their homes. In colder climates, an electric heat strip can be added to the indoor fan coil for additional capabilities. Heat pumps do not burn fossil fuel like furnaces do, making them more environmentally friendly.
An electrically generated heat source for individual rooms and areas, cove heating employs radiant heat to warm the room and objects in the room. Coined “cove heating” because it is installed where the cove used to be in older room designs, individual heating units are mounted on the wall, allowing homeowners unrestricted use of floor space.
Baseboard heaters are the ideal room-by-room heating solution. They require little space, no ductwork and the initial cost is relatively low, making them perfect for remodeled areas as well as for new construction. Units are easily installed in almost any kind of space.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), about 1 in 13 Nebraska households heat their homes with petroleum products. Almost all of those households use hydrocarbon gas liquids in the form of bottled, tank, or liquid propane gas. But there are more options.
Corn stoves, as well as wood pellet stoves, can keep an even temperature. A pellet stove is a stove that burns compressed wood or biomass pellets to create a source of heat for residential and sometimes industrial spaces. Another option is to burn Nebraska corn. By steadily feeding this fuel from a storage container into a burn pot area, it produces a constant flame that requires little to no physical adjustments.
Often, running the heater dries out the air. However, in some situations the heat can cause too much humidity or water that can lead to water damage cleanup. For example, condensation is a common problem for many homeowners during the winter and is commonly mistaken for a leaking roof. Even the amount of water that can build up on the windows is enough to cause the wood around the windows to rot.
Warm air inside your home rises to the ceiling. If your attic is nor adequately insulated, this warm air can creep up into your attic space and can cause problems. Once the warm air sneaks up into your attic, a properly functioning ventilation system should get rid of the moisture and replace it with cool, dry air from outside. However if you have an issue with your ventilation system, this moisture can lead to water damage cleanup.
In addition, on a cold Nebraska day, this humid air that reaches your attic often freezes and forms a layer of frost. Later, when the temperature is higher, this frost then emits and leaks back into your home. Too much moisture could damage the insulation and produce mold, mildew, and rot when not dealt with in time.
If water or airborne moisture have damaged your property this winter, the water damage cleanup experts at Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration will bring your water damaged home to its original pre-loss condition. With offices throughout South Central Nebraska, you can count on a quick response time and superior service. Tell your insurance provider that you prefer Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration for water damage cleanup, fire damage, and sewage backup disaster.