Advantages of Insulated Dog Houses By Rachel Dawson At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Why should you consider insulated dog houses when shopping for your furry friends? There are two main advantages that insulated dog houses have over the plainer varieties. The insulated structure keeps the temperature inside more comfortable. It also allows you to use less energy if you decide to integrate a heating and air conditioning unit into the house for extreme temperatures. Think of what insulation in your home does; these are the same things it does for your pet.

Heat transfer occurs in one of three ways: conduction, convection, or radiation. Conduction occurs through objects (hot tea to handle of spoon), convection through currents of air or water (forced air furnace), and radiation through light travel (the sun). Heat transfer will occur; you cannot stop it. However, you can slow the rate at which it occurs. Insulation is the tool you need to slow heat transfer.

Insulated dog houses may combat more than one type of heat transfer. For instance, the insulation may reflect heat and trap air at the same time. Reflecting the heat in the summer means the warm air stays outside the dog house. Reflecting the heat in the winter, of course, means warm air remains inside the dog house. Trapped air pockets reduce the speed of conduction because air is a slower conductor than other materials, such as metal.

Of course, a cooler environment in the summer and a warmer environment in the winter equal a more comfortable setting for your pup. If temperatures become too extreme, you might need to bring your dog inside until the weather returns to normal. Puppies and old dogs are most susceptible to problems caused by temperature, such as freezing and heat stroke.

A second advantage applies to owners who intend to use a heating and air conditioning unit in the dog house. Insulated dog houses conserve energy by slowing the rate of heat transfer. As a result, you have to spend less energy heating and cooling the house. Spending less energy is becoming more popular today for those who like the idea of “greener” living. And spending less energy has always been popular with people who keep an eye on their dollars.

If you like the idea of a heating and air conditioning unit, but you have doubted its feasibility, start looking for insulated dog houses. As you shop, check for insulation with higher R-values. The R-value is a number assigned to the insulation based on several factors. These factors determine how effective the insulation will be in slowing heat transfer. The R-value increases with the level of effectiveness. The higher the assigned R-value, the more effective you should find the insulation to be.

Insulated dog houses slow conduction, convection, or radiation—or a combination of these processes. By slowing the speed of heat transfer, the insulation increases your pet’s comfort. It also conserves energy if you use a heating and air conditioning unit. When shopping for dog houses, check R-values. The R-values will help you understand how effective you should expect the insulation to be. Comparing R-values will help you identify which dog houses will be the best for you.

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