Heating / December 8, 2021
Should You Skip the H in HVAC? San Diego, Winter Weather, and Heaters
Do you need a heater in Southern California — and if so, which one is the best option? The mean temperature for January in San Diego between the years 2000 and 2021 was just over 58 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service. But the warm temps don’t necessarily mean you can skip the H in HVAC. Take a look at what you need to know about California’s climate, home heating, and your options.
Is a California Home Really Too Cold?
Homeowners who live in Minnesota or New Hampshire may need a serious system to warm their homes. But you don’t live in a sub-freezing, snowy climate. Even though the Southern California temperatures don’t dip to Northeast levels, you can’t completely give up on your home heating system.
While there’s no perfect indoor air temperature for everyone, a chilly 40-degree night without heat is too cold for most people to tolerate. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at 50 percent humidity, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)-recommended indoor wintertime air temperature falls between 68.5- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit.
You probably won’t have to worry about serious cold weather illnesses or conditions, such as hypothermia, inside of your Southern California home. But this doesn’t mean a persistent winter chill won’t cause any type of physical issue.
The cold air can increase the risk of some respiratory issues. This can worsen asthma, COPD, and other similar conditions. Even though you don’t have to stick to the ASHRAE standard, a similar thermostat setting can help to reduce cold-related health risks and discomfort.
Do You Need Whole-Home Heat?
The answer to this question is yes — and no. An HVAC system that heats your entire area (such as a forced air heater with ducts and vents that extend into each usable space) can create an even indoor environment. This eliminates cold pockets and can help you to regulate the temperature throughout the day and night.
Not only can a forced air system keep your home warm on the chilliest of San Diego nights but it can also help to improve the indoor air quality. The AC filter that reduces summertime allergens, pollution, and some microorganisms can also help to improve the air you breathe in the winter.
Most central or forced air systems use the same filter for cooling and heating. Provided you change or clean (if your unit has a reusable model) the filter regularly, a heater can help to clear the indoor air.
Even though some homeowners regularly use every room, some don’t or won’t. If you only use specific spaces, you may not need a whole-home or central heating unit. Instead, a zoned heating approach could reduce your home’s overall energy usage and save you money on utility bills.
How Can You Heat Part of Your Southern California Home?
The winter weather is often chilly but not exactly freezing. This may mean you want to heat your bedroom, bathroom, and living room. Other areas of your home, such as the guest room you
never use or the formal dining room you only entertain in once a month, may not need constant heat.
A ductless mini-split heat pump allows you to pick and choose which areas you’ll keep warm in the winter. This type of zoned option also can also double as an air conditioner in the summer. The system consists of various indoor air handlers and an outdoor compressor to maintain the temperature inside of a home. The result is the ability to select specific rooms or zones to heat.
Along with the zoned heating benefits of a mini-split system, you won’t need a series of air ducts to heat and cool the indoor environment. Do you need a new heater for your home? Contact Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar for more information.
