Seven Heating Myths: Fact or Fiction
If you talk to 7 different homeowners, they’ll likely all swear to know the secrets for saving money on heating through the winter and avoiding expensive HVAC repair. But which energy tips are solid advice, and which are bunk? Don’t fall for the wrong tips and read our seven heating myths and their real answers.
Fiction
Closing the duct vents in unused rooms will lower your heating bills.
Fact
Closing vents throws off the pressure load balance of your central air system, causing your furnace to work harder (and possibly break down). Ignore the advice and keep all your vents open this winter!
Fiction
Ceiling fans only come in handy during the summer months to cool your home.
Fact
Actually, using the reverse setting, you can use your ceiling fans in the winter to pull cooler air up towards the ceiling and push warm air back down towards you.
Fiction
You’ll save money by turning off your furnace and running space heaters.
Fact
Electricity is often more expensive than gas, so running space heaters instead of your furnace isn’t likely to save you much money. Plus, without your furnace running your pipes might freeze!
Fiction
The higher you set your thermostat, the quicker your home will warm up.
Fact
Skip setting your thermostat higher than necessary just to get it warm inside faster – your furnace or heat pump will heat your home at the same rat regardless.
Fiction
The bigger your HVAC system, the less time it has to run and the lower your energy bills.
Fact
Wrong again – oversized furnaces will cycle on and off frequently, costing you money and adding wear and tear that will often lead to more heating repair and a shorter lifespan.
Fiction
You can use duct tape to seal leaks in your ductwork.
Fact
While it’s right there in the name, unfortunately, duct tape works poorly on dirty, dusty surfaces (which ductwork often is), and it’s also likely to dry out and fall off with age.
Fiction
Turning your thermostat up and down wastes more energy than it saves.
Fact
That is similar to the myth that turning lights on and off wastes more energy than just keeping them on. Both are false, and programmable thermostats offer significant energy savings for your home.