Welcome to Lesson 9
In this module, we will explore the science, technology, and economics of keeping homes warm. Whether you're living in a dorm, renting your first apartment, or planning for homeownership, understanding how heating works—and how to use it efficiently—can save you money, increase your comfort, and reduce your environmental impact.
But before we dive into furnaces, heat pumps, and fuel choices, we need to answer two foundational questions:
How much heating does my location actually need?
How do I keep that heat from escaping?
The answers lie in two powerful concepts: Heating Degree Days which is a way to measure climate-based heating demand and Insulation which is the barrier that keeps warmth where you want it.
Once we understand those basics, we'll compare different heating systems, analyze fuel costs, and learn how to calculate whether an energy upgrade is worth the investment.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Define the three mechanisms of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation
- Explain what Heating Degree Days (HDD) are and why the base temperature is 65°F
- Describe how insulation works and what R-Value measures
- Identify common home heating fuels (natural gas, oil, propane, electricity) and their typical uses by region
- Calculate daily, monthly, and seasonal Heating Degree Days using average temperature data
- Compare insulation materials using R-Value and explain how layered construction improves thermal resistance
- Calculate simple payback periods for energy upgrades to determine if an investment is financially worthwhile