Technology has advanced to the point where energy efficient furniture does exist. It can store and release energy to charge batteries, run lights, or provide the same HVAC effects your furnace or A/C does. While it’s not ready for the market yet, it shows that furniture is, and will continue to be, a part of the home that can contribute to your comfort.

Comfort and Heat

Some products used in homes offer more comfort than others, especially with regard to thermal management. Upholstered (with padding) furniture is far more comfortable year-round than hard plastic chairs. The fabrics and internal padding absorb heat and moisture, keeping you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. A hard plastic chair, for example, does not absorb moisture. It feels cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

Insulating Value of Furniture

Even the wood that furniture is made from has some insulating value, which is a property that contributes indirectly to comfort, especially when it’s cold. Wood products that are less dense and lighter in weight. They can hold more air than dense wood. The ability to retain air in small pockets is a basic characteristic of most insulation products.

Color and Temperature

Not only do the materials from which the furniture is made have HVAC effects, so does its color. Dark colors absorb heat while light colors reflect it. Anything that reflects heat will be cooler, even on a hot, sunny day. Flat roofs on homes are often painted with bright white reflective paint, while pitched roofs in the mountains use dark metal roofing for easier snow removal.

The same holds true with your home. Light-colored furniture on the patio makes sense since you will use it more in warm weather versus cold. Porous textiles that are UV-resistant will hold up better to the solar exposure and dry faster in the outdoor environment.

Furniture does have HVAC effects that you can use to your advantage. You can also get more efficiency from your system by having it serviced by Powers Heating & Air, providing HVAC services for Peachtree City homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.