Don’t let the common myths about home heating leave you with a cold house and high energy bills!
Though spring is almost here, we still have a few more weeks of cold weather ahead, which means that you’ll be relying on your heater for just a little bit longer. If you would like to make the most of your heat for the last few remaining weeks of winter without having to deal with high energy bills, then you’ve come to the right place.
The experienced HVAC contractors at Tri-Elite Advisors are dedicated to helping you stay comfortable without breaking the bank, and that’s why we’ve put together this list of common heating myths that could be increasing your energy bills:
Myth #1 You’ll save more money by using space heaters
No one wants to pay more for their heating than they have to, but unfortunately, many people end up wasting even more energy in their attempts to cut corners. One of the most common ways people try to save on their heating costs is by using space heaters instead of their gas heating systems. The fact of the matter is that natural gas is a lot cheaper than electricity.
If you were to try to heat your entire home with space heaters, you’d have to pay up to five times as much as you would if you heat your home with your gas heating system. A well maintained HVAC and furnace system will keep your cost low and your home warm.
Myth #2 The higher you crank the thermostat, the faster your home will get warm
Many people think that, if they turn up their thermostat more, their house will get warmer faster, but no matter how much we wish this were true, it’s just a myth. The truth is that your furnace will heat your home at the same rate, regardless of what temperature you set the thermostat on.
By turning your thermostat up higher, you’re merely making your heater stay on for a longer period of time, and if you forget to turn it back down, you’ll end up wasting energy just to have a too-warm house. Updating your HVAC system to an energy-efficient system can improve your systems performance.
Myth #3 You can reduce your heating bill by closing vents in rooms you aren’t using
Why should you pay to heat a room no one is in? Unfortunately, this just isn’t how your HVAC system is supposed to function. Your HVAC system is designed to heat your entire home to the temperature you set on your thermostat. If you close vents to certain rooms, you can actually end up wasting more energy because your HVAC system will be continuously attempting to pump warm air in the closed off rooms to keep the temperature consistent in your home. Make sure your vents are open and that they are unobstructed by furniture or anything else.
Myth #4 Ceiling fans can only help you keep your home more comfortable in the summer
Ceiling fans can be incredibly helpful in the summer, and they may even allow you to rely on your air conditioner a little bit less. What many people don’t know is that ceiling fans can help you stay comfortable and save energy in the winter as well. Heat rises, and when you adjust your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise, it can actually force the warm air down.
Myth #5 You can save money by using your fireplace
Nothing is quite as cozy or comforting as lighting a fire in your fireplace, but if you’re lighting that fire to keep your home warm or to try to save money, you’re better off relying on your heater. Fire requires lots of oxygen, which it will take from inside of your home, and you have already paid to heat it!
This creates negative pressure in your home, and as a result, cold, outside air to rushes into your home through tiny cracks and openings. Believe it or not, lighting a fire in your fireplace can actually make the temperature drop in your home, causing you to waste even more energy and money.
Myth #6 You’ll save big if you replace your windows
If your windows are old and leaky, then there’s a good chance that the warm air inside your home is leaking out of your windows, wasting energy and reducing your comfort in your home. However, replacing your windows can be incredibly pricey — in many cases, window replacement costs thousands of dollars.
It’s such an expensive project that it may not offset the costs of the leaks, at least not in the next few years. Sealing those leaks is often a much more economical way to fix the issue, and you can save even more if you add weather stripping and insulation.
Let Tri-Elite Advisors HVAC show you the truth about home heating
When you want to save energy and money on a monthly basis, a little knowledge can go a long way. Choose Tri-Elite Advisors HVAC for your home heating needs, and trust our team of expert HVAC contractors to ensure your system is running efficiently.
We offer professional heating services, from repairs to maintenance, helping you avoid costly mistakes and energy-wasting myths. Our team is dedicated to providing you with affordable, reliable solutions to keep your home warm and your energy bills low. With Tri-Elite Advisors, you’ll receive the best advice, service, and comfort all winter long—contact us today to optimize your home heating.
Servicing Kent and New Castle County Delaware, Chester and Delaware County Pennsylvania, and Cecil County Maryland for over 15 years!