Unsolicited advice, old wives’ tales, no matter what you have heard and what you believe we have the cold, hard facts to keep your home toasty warm this winter.
Don’t be fooled by those myths and be ready for those cold winter months.
Myth #1 – Reduce monthly heating costs by closing unused room vents.
Most newer homes have forced-air heating systems, which balances pressure to equally distribute heat throughout your home. When you close off vents the balance is thrown off and this causes the heating system to work harder to heat the home.
Myth #2 – When it comes to the thermostat, set it and forget it, moving the temperature up and down doesn’t make a difference.
Temperature matters, the warmer you keep your home whether you are home or not, the higher your monthly utility bills. Most people prefer their home to be around 68 degrees in winter. However, the ideal temperature for the thermostat is between 60 and 65 degrees. Just remember the lower you keep the temperature, the lower your monthly bills. Putting on a sweater and slippers is a lot cheaper!
Additionally, if you are going to be away from home for an extended period it is not very cost effective to keep heating the whole house. Set your thermostat to 55 degrees, the lowest temperature setting to keep the pipes from freezing.
Invest in a programmable thermostat and adjust the temperature to when the home is occupied and stop heating it when it is not.
Myth #3 – Bump up the temperature and heat up the house faster.
No matter what temperature you set the thermostat at the house will not warm any quicker than it would if you set it at your normal temperature setting. Most systems will run at the same rate until the optimal temperature is reached, it doesn’t run any faster to heat your joint up quicker.
Myth #4 – Cold floors are just a regular thing in the winter.
If your floors or walls are particularly cold, it could be because your home is not properly insulated. Your home should keep warm air in and cold air out during the winter months. If you find that your floors are unusually cold it could be due to air leaks around windows, doors, or ductwork. Sealing up these leaks will reduce the cold from getting into your home.
Myth #5 – I don’t need furnace maintenance every year.
Annual furnace maintenance is recommended for the life of your HVAC system. Most furnace manufacturers recommend annual inspections by a qualified technician, and most warranties require annual maintenance to keep the warranty valid.
Additionally, a technician will make sure all the systems parts are working properly and identify any potential problems before they become a costly issue or before they surprise you on those cold winter nights.
