5 Myths About Your Home Heating – Separating Fact From Fiction

You’ve likely heard plenty of home heating tips from everyone from your great aunt to the news. However, not all of them are based in fact.

For example, many people believe that cranking the thermostat up will help their homes heat up faster. However, doing so will simply waste energy and money.

1. Thermostats are the key to saving money

We all want to save money, especially when it comes to one of the biggest household bills each month — home heating. Unfortunately, a lot of the information that we hear about saving energy is just plain false.

For example, cranking up the thermostat higher will not make your house heat faster. Your furnace works at a constant rate, regardless of the temperature set on your thermostat. Raising the thermostat will only cause your system to run longer to reach a higher temperature, which will use more energy and cost you more money (1).

Similarly, closing off the vents in rooms that are not being used will not improve your home’s efficiency. Instead, consider investing in a zoned system to ensure that you are only heating the areas of your home that need it.

2. Thermostats don’t work properly

If you’re having problems with your thermostat, don’t hesitate to call a licensed specialist. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and fix it quickly and efficiently.

It may be tempting to crank the thermostat up higher when you’re feeling cold, but this isn’t actually effective. Your furnace doesn’t heat up faster when you turn it up higher – it just uses more energy because it runs longer and shuts off and on more frequently.

Closed unused room vents throw off the system’s balance of pressure to evenly distribute heat, making your heater work harder to keep your house warm. You can also save money by lowering the temperature on your thermostat and cleaning its sensors regularly. Dirty sensors are a common culprit of malfunctioning thermostats.

3. Air conditioners aren’t necessary

Most newer homes have forced-air heating systems which balance air pressure to evenly distribute heat throughout the house. Closing off vents throws this balance off and makes your furnace work harder to heat your home.

Warm air rises, but it also travels along the path of least resistance. You’ve probably noticed this as you walk up and down the stairs — you feel a few degrees warmer going up than you do down.

People without air conditioning can save energy by taking other steps, such as opening curtains during the day to let sunshine in and closing them at night to keep heat out. However, they’ll need to have another source of heat during a power outage. This could mean relying on a fireplace, which uses expensive wood or gas.

4. Furnace maintenance isn’t necessary

Many homeowners choose not to schedule annual maintenance visits and rely on the furnace alone to heat their homes. However, a furnace that hasn’t been regularly maintained is much more likely to break down at an inconvenient time. It’s also more expensive to repair a broken furnace than it is to maintain one.

In an effort to save energy, some homeowners turn to electric space heaters, but this is a costly mistake. The truth is that it’s 3 to 5 times more expensive to heat a home with electricity than it is to use a natural gas furnace. Besides, a space heater doesn’t help to heat the whole home. The air temperature in your house depends on a variety of factors, including furnace efficiency and the amount of insulation in your home.

5. Heating systems don’t need to be replaced

Many people believe the saying “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” However, this philosophy can be costly and can shorten your heating system’s lifespan.

If you’re constantly fiddling with the thermostat, it may be a sign that your system isn’t working properly. Uneven heating is also a sign that it’s time for a replacement.

The fact is that bumping up the temperature on your heating system won’t make it heat up your home any faster. Your system will deliver heated air at the same rate until your desired temperature is reached. However, it’s important to note that a poorly sized system can still consume more energy than a newer model. This can lead to expensive repairs and higher energy bills. Replacing your windows can help lower the energy consumption of your home.