Eight Common Heating Fallacies Debunked
There are lots of myths out there about home heating that lead to confusion and inefficient furnace operation. It’s time to clear up these common misconceptions.
Here, the heating specialists at Rob's Albertan Service Experts get to the bottom of the eight most common myths to keep your home comfortable and reduce your heating bills.
Myth 1: Sealing Shut Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Cash
The concept that closing vents saves on heating costs is a common misconception. But your heating unit is built to heat your entire house with a balanced flow of return and supply air. Closing vents throws off this balance, oftentimes leading to pressure buildup, overheating and increased energy use. Therefore, you should keep at least 80% of your vents open at all times to encourage even heating and more efficient energy use. If you need to control the temperature in certain rooms more than others, look into installing a zoning system.
Myth 2: Setting Your Thermostat and Then Leaving It Alone Is More Efficient Than Raising and Lowering It
This myth stems from the idea that reheating a cold house demands more energy than leaving the thermostat alone. Although this has some truth to it, changing the temperature in some situations does lead to energy savings. The U.S. Department of Energy provinces that scheduling a 7- to 10-degree setback period for eight hours a day can save up to 10% on your heating bills. The only time this wouldn’t be true is if you use a heat pump, which utilizes a backup electric resistance heater during the recovery period. Of course, you can overcome this dilemma with a special heat pump thermostat.
The best way to make the most of setback periods is to set up a programmable thermostat. By doing this, the temperature resumes to a comfortable setting before you get home from work or wake up in the morning.
Myth 3: Setting the Thermostat to a Higher Temperature Warms Your Home More Quickly
If you start feeling chilly, it may seem enticing to raise the temperature as high as you can. The thought here is that, like pushing down very hard on a gas pedal, raising the temperature real high heats the home faster. But the truth is your heater works at the same rate regardless of how high the thermostat is set. If you’re cold, put on a sweater and increase the temperature a degree or two to avoid overheating your home and wasting power.
Myth 4: Space Heaters Are a Good Way to Heat Cold Spots
Using space heaters to overcome cold spots is not an ideal long-term solution. Your heating and cooling system is designed to heat your entire home, so if there are cold rooms, this indicates an issue with your insulation or ductwork. Plus, space heaters can be dangerous if operated unattended. They also use a lot of power, leading to greater energy bills.
Myth 5: You Don’t Need Preventive Furnace Maintenance
It’s a common myth that if your furnace is working, everything is fine, and it doesn’t need a tune-up. Along those same lines, many homeowners feel that a new furnace doesn’t need seasonal maintenance for the first few years. However, all furnaces can use regular maintenance, regardless of how long they’ve been in service. Annual tune-ups encourage efficiency, prevent breakdowns and can prolong system life span. A maintenance tune-up is also the ideal time for a technician to find and fix little issues before they turn into bigger, more costly problems.
Myth 6: Wait for the Furnace to Break Down Before Replacing It
While you want to utilize your furnace for its entire life, waiting for it to break down completely is not advisable. Preventive furnace replacement prevents an emergency during frigid weather. Indeed, it’s an investment, but new, more energy-efficient heating systems can save you substantially on your energy bills and enhance overall home comfort.
Myth 7: The Bigger the Furnace, the Warmer the Home
When it comes to HVAC systems, buying the most powerful system does not mean you will have a warmer home. A furnace that’s too big can lead to repeated cycling, which is inefficient and wears out the system more quickly. Work with a trusted heating and cooling professional, like the crew at Rob's Albertan Service Experts, who can help you select an appropriate furnace for your home based on factors like square footage, layout and climate.
Myth 8: The Furnace Brand Is the Most Crucial Decision
While the manufacturer is relevant, the installation service provider is even more critical. Proper installation is the key to efficient and effective operation. Research and pick an experienced and reputable company for furnace installation to get the biggest bang for your buck out of your investment.
Choose Rob's Albertan Service Experts for Heating Service in Edmonton
Now that you know the cold, hard facts behind these heating myths, you’re ready to appreciate a more comfortable, energy-efficient home in Edmonton. For more help, call Rob's Albertan Service Experts. We can address all your comfort troubles with fast, durable solutions. Our work is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning we’re not satisfied until you are. For expert service that makes a significant difference in your life, reach out to Rob's Albertan Service Experts. Call 780-800-9047 today to schedule an appointment!
