Scientific Laws of Home Comfort

We have all experienced uncomfortable rooms, sometimes within our own home. Maybe you’ve experienced this in one room of your house, or possibly more! During the summer the room is unbearably hot, whereas in the winter you’re too cold to function. Does this sound similar?

The question is, why does this happen? Long explanation short, this is due to “building science” or the laws of physics.

Not one for physics? Here is a breakdown of the key laws that help explain why you may be experiencing discomfort in your home.

1. Heat moves from more to less

     a. Heat will move to areas where less heat is maintained. This means that if you experience a temperature difference in your home, the faster the heat will move.

2. Air moves from high to low pressure

     a. Same type of principal as used above. The greater the difference in air pressure, the faster the air will move. We can apply this to how air carries heat in or out of a home.

3. Heat moves in three ways: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation

     a. Conduction- heat moves through solid materials

          i. Example: If your attic is cold in the winter, the drywall ceiling will also become cold if it isn’t properly insulated. The heat from the room moves into and through the drywall ceiling. 

     b. Convection- heat is carried by air or water movement

          i. Example: We heat our homes this way. This also means that if air is leaking out of the home, so is the heat.

     c. Radiation- objects are warmer when other objects around them emit heat in the form of infrared waves

         i. Example: If you have a hot drywall ceiling because of the 100-degree attic, this drywall will radiate its heat into the other rooms of the home.

4. Moisture moves from more to less, and hot to cold

     a. This law applies to mold and rotting situations. It is important to understand what direction moisture moves to comprehend a building’s durability issues that could occur.

5. Warm air holds more moisture than cool air

     a. This law is beneficial to understand potential mold growth, especially during or after heavy rains.

6. Warm air is lighter than cold air

     a. When the air in your home is heated, that air will rise. Although a relatively understood concept, this helps comprehend how hot air can leak out of the highest area of the home.

If you are interested in a free estimate to maintain the comfort in your home click here or call 1-800-638-7048.