What’s the Best Way to Heat My Sunroom During the Winter?
With their large and numerous windows, sunrooms receive plenty of warmth from the sun. In fact, without shades or blinds, your sunroom can become uncomfortably warm in the summer. But what about during those cold winter months when outside temperatures dip to freezing or below? It can be a challenge to keep your sunroom comfy enough to use during frigid weather, especially if it isn’t climate controlled by your home’s HVAC system. After all, there’s a reason they call them three-season sunrooms. But there are ways to squeeze that extra season of enjoyment out of your addition if you’re willing to throw on a sweater and maybe a nice pair of woolen socks. With a little planning and a few minor adjustments, you can turn a chilly sunroom into a cozy corner.
Add a Source of Heat
Effectively heating a three-season sunroom requires a two-pronged approach. The first step is to introduce a heat source. While adding ducts to vent warm air in from the central heating system is certainly one option, it’s costly. And since three-season rooms are not particularly well insulated, it will force your HVAC unit to work harder to keep temperatures comfortable. There are a variety of portable space heaters that can provide plenty of temporary heat. Kerosene or propane heaters are relatively inexpensive and work quickly. What’s more, they won’t add to your electric costs. If you’re looking for something a little more eye-catching that can also serve as a centerpiece, a wood-burning stove will add a touch of rustic charm. Just be aware that you’ll need to install a chimney to vent the smoke. An electric fireplace is another good option if you prefer a clean source of heat that provides more ambiance that an electric space heater.
Contain the Warmth
The second step in making your sunroom usable year-round is to shut in the warmth while shutting out the cold. Short of installing energy efficient windows – which can be quite expensive – hanging thermally insulated drapes will help contain the warmth generated by your space heater. Cold floors can also leech heat from a sunroom, especially if they’re tile or hardwood. Adding a thick rug can provide an extra layer of padding and insulation. And since warm air rises, a ceiling fan is vital to help circulate heat throughout the sunroom rather than allowing it to accumulating along the ceiling.
At Pacific Patio, we are the home improvement experts in Southern California. Our technicians have installed thousands of sunrooms and outdoor additions in residences throughout San Diego and nearby communities, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation to learn more about the products and services we offer.
