In any house, building, or commercial structure, furniture is a given. And so is the heating and cooling system. One rarely ever pays any attention to the presence of the different pieces of furniture and their impact on heating and cooling. Did you know that pieces of furniture, their type, and positioning inside the house impact the indoor environment? If not, this article might just be an eyeopener.
How Does Furniture Affect Your HVAC?
The impact of furniture on the HVAC is not always negative. Sometimes it lends a helping hand, and at others, it may act as an impediment. Hence, for the sake of convenience, let us segregate the impact of furniture on the HVAC under two categories:
1. The positive impact of furniture on HVAC
2. Adverse effects of furniture on HVAC.
Positive Impact Of Furniture On HVAC
1. Solar Shading In Summers Makes For A Cooler Space – Glass windows are the source of sunlight streaming indoors. In winters, this sunlight is most welcome as it makes you feel warm. Nevertheless, the same sunlight becomes a foe during summers. The areas where the sunlight falls becomes warm and adds to the overall temperature of the room. But this is not what you had asked for. Instead of warmth, you need a few degrees of coolness.
Placing furniture in the direct path of the sunlight will create a barrier. The sun’s light will fall on the furniture and create shadows around it. Even if the temperature of the furniture rises slightly, it does not make any difference in the overall temperature of the room. However, the shadows cast by the furniture prevent any unnecessary rise of temperature in that closed space. Hence, strategic placement of furniture will prevent your HVAC system from working too hard and too long to cool a space.
2. Absorbs Heat And Makes For A Warmer Space In Winters – In winters, a room full of furniture will feel warmer than an empty room. It happens because the pieces of furniture and furnishings trap heat and increase the indoor temperature. Furthermore, the HVAC system is also adding to the warmth of the room.
Another fact is that the furniture retains heat for longer. So even if the room cools down faster, the furniture will still be warm. In winter, if you add large pieces of furniture with throws for comfort, your room will feel toasty and cozy. Truthfully, with the right selection of furniture your HVAC unit will not have to work too hard even on the coldest days.
Adverse Effects Of Furniture On HVAC
1. Restricts Airflow – The vents and registers have a fixed place in every home and building. What moves around are the people and the furniture. Now people will move out of the way, but what remains once positioned is the furniture.
Plenty of times, it has been seen that we place the furniture in the direct path of the vents and registers. Sometimes, we even block it unknowingly. As a result, what happens is that the flow of air to and from the HVAC unit gets restricted. In turn, the unit will have to work under tremendous pressure to maintain appropriate temperature indoors, which is not good for the health of the system. Therefore, one needs to be extra careful while positioning the furniture.
2. Adds To The Indoor Pollutants – Furniture and furnishings tend to attract a lot of dust and grime. Allergens, dust mites, and other microorganisms also make their abode inside and over them. The situation worsens with the fact that these possessions are cleaned once in a blue moon. While we dust and clean the whole house once or twice a month, we clean the furniture at best quarterly and honestly, maybe once or twice a year. Can you imagine how dirty they become?
When clean air passes over these dirty pieces of furniture, it picks up pollutants and becomes unhealthy itself. These pollutants then circulate throughout the space and spread. As a result, the indoor air quality deteriorates. So even the best HVAC system will struggle to maintain good indoor air quality under such circumstances.
Quick Tips To Ensure Your Furniture Affects Your HVAC System Positively
If you pay heed to these tips, your furniture will work with the HVAC system to keep your indoor space comfortable and inviting:
1. When buying new pieces of furniture, pay special attention to the fabric. It should ideally repel dust and be easy to clean.
2. The fabric and material of the furniture are equally important. If you live in cold regions, opt for wooden furniture with warm and dark fabrics. In warmer or moderate regions, lightweight fabrics of neutral shades will serve you better. Avoid metallic furniture if you reside in very hot regions.
3. While positioning the furniture, ensure that you don’t block the vents and registers. Also, avoid placing them in the direct path of the airflow.
To Sum Up
Your furniture will play a significant role in ensuring your comfort and that of your family. But that is not the only thing it will do. If you choose wisely, the furniture will aid your HVAC system in maintaining the desired temperature and good air quality indoors. It will prevent the heating and cooling unit from working unnecessarily and allow it to take a break from time to time. This little help will increase the life of your system and reduce its wear and tear.
Aztil Air Conditioning is a family-owned HVAC business in West Palm Beach, Florida. We aim to help our current and future clients learn about making the most of their heating and cooling systems. We also provide a full suite of services to cater to all your HVAC needs like installations, maintenance, and repairs. In addition, we also provide indoor air quality solutions and provide duct cleaning services. Since our offices are open 24/7, you can call us any time to book an appointment. We can be reached at +1-888-729-8452.
