Sub-freezing winter days aren’t just uncomfortable, they’re downright expensive. When the furnace continuously pumps hot air through your vents, you can almost feel your energy bill rising with the temperature.
In other HVAC installation and maintenance articles, we’ve discussed several strategies homeowners can employ to reduce energy costs during colder months. Now, we’re highlighting common misconceptions about furnace repair and home heating strategies. Here are a few home heating myths that are costing you money:
1. Cranking the Thermostat Heats Your Home Faster
Myth: Turning the thermostat to a much higher temperature will warm your home quicker.
Truth: Your heating system works at a consistent rate, regardless of how high you set the thermostat. Programming the temperature beyond your desired level doesn’t speed up the warming process. Instead, it forces your system to run longer, potentially overheating your home and wasting energy.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to accelerate the home heating process. Your only option is to set the thermostat to your desired temperature and let your system do its job.
2. Raising and Lowering the Temperature Costs More
Myth: Keeping the heat running at a low, constant temperature is more efficient than lowering the temperature when you’re away and raising it when you’re back home.
Truth: We all know that paying to heat or cool an empty house wastes money. But many people think lowering the temperature while you’re away only costs more because you’ll have to reheat your space upon returning home. This simply isn’t true. If you plan to be away for several hours, lowering your thermostat by a few degrees gives your system a break. When it’s not running, you’re saving money.
Wi-Fi thermostats can help you program your home’s heating schedule according to your schedule. Depending on how low you go, the savings could be significant. The Department of Energy estimates a three percent reduction on your heating bill for each degree you turn your thermostat down during winter. Over three to four months, the savings add up.
3. Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Reduces Heating Costs
Myth: Closing vents in rooms you don’t use saves energy by directing heat elsewhere.
Truth: We can see the logic behind this myth, yet modern HVAC systems distribute air evenly throughout your home. Closing vents in unused rooms may actually cause more problems than they solve.
When you shut a vent, your ductwork comes under additional pressure, resulting in problems like reduced efficiency, leaks, uneven heating, and overall added strain on your HVAC system.
4. A Fireplace Is a Cost-Effective Heating Solution
Myth: Using a wood-burning fireplace can lead to lower energy bills.
Truth: A crackling fire on a chilly evening creates a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. But that’s where the advantages end. Fireplaces help create an ambiance, but they are not an efficient way to heat your home. In fact, they do the opposite.
When using a traditional wood-burning fireplace, much of the heat generated by the fire escapes through the chimney. Fireplaces can also draw warm air from other parts of your house, which can cause your HVAC system to work even harder. For the best of both worlds (fire and efficient heating), we recommend installing glass doors or a heat exchanger on your existing fireplace.
5. Space Heaters Are Cheaper Than Central Heating
Myth: Space heaters are more cost-effective than running your central heating system.
Truth: We’re not necessarily anti-space heaters, but you shouldn’t use them as a primary heat source. They can be efficient for warming up small, isolated areas, but they won’t make much of an impact outside the immediate area.
If your toes are cold while you work at your home office, a space heater can help warm them up. But using several space heaters throughout your home is less energy-efficient than central heat. Not to mention, space heaters pose potential safety issues, too.
6. Focusing on Humidity Won’t Make It Feel Warmer
Myth: Proper humidification is key, but won’t make the house feel warmer.
Truth: The relationship between temperature and humidity gets complicated during winter when the air is typically much drier. Dry air feels colder because moisture evaporates from your skin quickly in low-humidity environments (think of sweat cooling you down). Turning up the heat to compensate for chilly, dry air only dries the air out more, which makes it feel colder.
The answer to the vicious cycle above is a whole-home humidifier. These systems help you maintain the recommended 40-60% humidity levels, regardless of temperature. The result is that even if you turn the heat down a few degrees to save energy, it won’t feel nearly as cold at 50% humidity as it would at 28% humidity. Plus, taking care of your home’s indoor air quality is better for your health.
Care for Your System With Hoock’s Maintenance Services
There’s one universal truth when it comes to energy efficiency — a clean, regularly serviced HVAC system optimizes performance and safety at the lowest possible cost.
Stay on top of your furnace repairs by scheduling an appointment with our team. Hoock’s Heating & Cooling expert technicians proactively identify potential issues with your furnace before they become an emergency. That means you’ll enjoy a warmer home and lower energy costs. Along with furnace repair, we also provide AC installation, heating installation, and AC repair, among other services. Contact us today and we’ll Hoock you up with the products, service, and expertise you deserve from your HVAC team.