Technology has made our lives easier; application of it is everywhere around us. Sometimes, because we’re so used to it, we usually just ignore it. Still, we do not understand the science behind it and the careful thought put into it.
For this article, we take a look into some technological innovations applied within our own homes. Also known as domestic technology, these innovations are made to make living easier and more efficient. Domestic technology encompasses cleaning, food preparation, electric lighting, and HVAC (heat, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment.
We mostly recognize domestic technology through appliances in the kitchen, the air conditioning that keeps us cold during summer, and the lights the brighten up our home. Yet, other technologies may seem invisible at home but are working for our comfort; this is where we’ll focus at.
Understanding these technologies can make us appreciate our home and our innovators more. Understanding how things really work will even help us fix parts of our home in case of malfunction.
Garage doors
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 63% of American homes have garage doors; this is based on a survey conducted in 2017. As a common part of the house seen in most homes, you must recognize its importance.
But have you ever wondered what force or mechanism enables heavy garage doors to open up? To fully understand how it works, we must first understand its parts.
Since a garage door system requires heavy lifting, its hardware system is made of galvanized steel. The use of this material ensures lasting strength and durability; performance is also ensured. The garage door’s hardware system has pieces that work together to achieve great performance.
One of these parts is the spring; a garage door can have either a torsion or extension spring. The torsion spring is responsible for opening and closing the garage door while sliding into a channel. It is usually placed on top of the door. This type of spring is more commonly used for garage doors due to its durability. A torsion spring can last up to 10 years.
To lift and lower the door, a cable is also needed. Therefore, the cable’s length and strength are determined by the size of the door. To assist with the door’s movement, vertical and horizontal tracks are present on the sides of the door. The door would not move without its rollers. For smoother performance, proper and regular lubrication is recommended on the rollers.
All these parts make it possible for garage doors to open and close easily. Without you making an effort to do the heavy lifting of the garage door, this essential home innovation is undeniably beneficial. Now that you know how it works, you will probably have an idea of which part has a defect in case it malfunctions.
Knowing such can easily help you replace possible defective hardware; it can also help you understand when to call a garage door repair specialist.
Insulation
The U.S. Department of Energy gives us an idea of how insulation at home works. The department states that to understand insulation, the concept of heat flow must first be understood. Heat flow has three forms: conduction, convection, and radiation.
Conduction is the transfer of heat from one solid material to another. Convection, on the other hand, is the circulation of heat through air and water. The rule of heat circulation is that warm air always rises and cold air always sinks. Meanwhile, radiation happens when heat travels in a straight line. With radiation, anything solid in its path will be heated.
For insulation to work properly in our homes, these three basic heat mechanisms are considered. Most insulation materials used, therefore, are meant to slow down heat flow. These materials’ resistance to heat is measured in R-value. R-value is the measure of the insulation’s effectiveness. By installing more insulation around the house, the R-value is increased.
Windows
As the control of heat within a home is crucial in comfortably living, more innovations are discovered to improve it. These innovations include energy-efficient windows. These types of windows achieve energy efficiency by using different technologies.
The simplest one is the glass coating system. By using a low-emissivity glass, 90% of the sun’s rays are blocked. This means it effectively blocks off heat from entering the home, especially during summer. It also traps cool air inside.
Some window technologies use multiple panes of glass. Using multiple panes of glass increases its effectiveness in blocking harmful rays. A triple-pane glass, for instance, can block up to 97% of harmful rays.
These simple technologies are effective and essential. You don’t notice it, but by reading this article, you realize that much thought is put into it. By understanding the science behind the parts of your home, you learn to appreciate it and even push you to improve your home by using available technologies.
