BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The cold season can be a particularly difficult time of year to navigate for residents of the Mountain State, with plummeting temperatures significantly slowing both economic and recreational activity.
A primary concern for West Virginians is also one of the most fundamental: maintaining comfortable conditions inside the home even during times when the outside of the home faces frigid winds, air, and precipitation.
Appalachian Heating offers a variety of solutions for the heating concerns of the residents of Southern West Virginia, including multiple methods for heating a home. Products offered to combat the chills of winter include furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, geothermal heating systems, and more.
The type of heating apparatus which works best for each home, of course, is contingent on a number of factors, and different systems are likely to work best for folks in various homes. A geothermal heating system, for example, transfers heat from earth itself into the home, and can even save some residents a fair amount of money on their annual heat bill.
“When compared to conventional systems, the EPA says homeowners using geothermal heat pumps can save up to 70% on heating and up to 50% on cooling each year,” says Appalachian Heating. “This means you might save between $400 to $1,500 annually, which could help your system pay for itself in just a few years.”
Other methods include standard electric heating and gas heating, though the latter can be associated with some potential dangers. Gas log inserts have also been made available as an auxiliary to existing fireplaces.
Another quandary faced by residents in cooler areas during the winter months is that of determining a reliable temperature at which to set the home thermostat. The Department of Energy recommends a setting of 68 degrees during the day and a brisk 64-65 degrees at night.
Additional cost-saving measures recommended by Appalachian Heating include the installation of additional insulation and/or a new furnace, along with replacement of an existing thermostat and regular air filter replacements.
“Your heating and cooling can distribute these contaminants all over your home several times every day, so that’s why air filtration is so essential for enjoying clean air indoors,” the HVAC service provider points out.
The air itself can cause a number of problems when temperatures drop, and such issues are not necessarily limited to the spread of contaminants. In fact, dry air can be one of the most vexing issues encountered by homeowners.
“Dry air is the culprit for several issues, including increased static and heightened risk for sickness,” Appalachian Heating says.
“The colder weather essentially sucks the humidity out of the air, leaving you with dry air that can have a number of effects on you and your home. Cold air doesn’t hold as much moisture as warm air, which is the reason you often notice your skin becoming drier or having to apply more lip balm. Your home can also experience the side effects of dry air—especially wood floors and furniture, potentially causing splitting and cracking, and paint is also at a higher risk of chipping.”
Finally, frozen pipes are a substantial concern for West Virginians, even more so in the wake of issues which arose early last year and in late-2022 throughout the Beckley area pertaining to the bursting of water lines due to freezing. Appalachian Heating notes that one of the most important precautions one can take as a preventative measure in this regard is the insulation of uncovered water lines, stating,
“Thoroughly insulating uncovered water lines is a solid first step to keeping your pipes free of ice. You’ll likely find many of these materials from a local plumbing company, and may also already have some someplace in your home.”
Additional information on maintaining indoor temperatures during the winter months, optimizing air quality, avoiding burst pipes, and more can be found at the Appalachian Heating website.