Home Heating Myths To Avoid This Winter
Heating your home can be quite costly during a long and frigid winter. Numerous property owners spend thousands of dollars each year to keep their dwellings warm and comfortable. Because certain winters are longer and colder than others, it is quite common to experience very high heating bills, depending on the year. For this reason, you may be searching for a way to reduce your energy costs this winter.
Numerous individuals search the Internet for avenues through which to save money, but unfortunately, many people only find inaccurate tips that do little or nothing to help. Some people may discover information that seems practical and realistic but is actually counterproductive.
Top Heating Myths That Might Cost You Money
Contents
- 1 Top Heating Myths That Might Cost You Money
- 1.1 Myth Number One: Seal Your Ducts With Tape To Save Money
- 1.2 Myth Number Two: Save Money With Energy Efficient Windows
- 1.3 Myth Number Three: Programmable Thermostats Lower Energy Bills
- 1.4 Myth Number Four: Fireplaces Lead To Lower Energy Bills
- 1.5 Myth Number Five: You Can Prevent Frozen Pipes by Heating Your Entire House
- 1.6 Myth Number Six: Raising Your Thermostat Heats Your Home Quicker
- 1.7 Conclusion
The following are some of the most common heating myths that may sound good, but that you should actually avoid:
Myth Number One: Seal Your Ducts With Tape To Save Money
Many people believe that duct tape is a great tool to seal ducts permanently, but this is only a myth. Traditional duct tape typically loosens and falls off. Therefore, it is only useful as a temporary measure. You should never use it as a permanent solution. Having a licensed HVAC contractor to repair leaking ducts is the best way to save money.
Myth Number Two: Save Money With Energy Efficient Windows
If you invest in modern, energy-efficient windows, you can prevent a certain amount of heat from being lost. Over a long period, this will save you a significant amount of money. Nevertheless, such windows can be costly. In some instances, it can take several decades before you begin to see a return on your investment. Therefore, instant savings by installing new windows is a myth.
Myth Number Three: Programmable Thermostats Lower Energy Bills
Although it is true that programmable thermostats can lower your heating costs, most individuals who invest in these devices do not program them correctly. If you program them improperly, your energy costs will increase instead of decrease. Therefore, merely installing such a device does not automatically save you money.
Myth Number Four: Fireplaces Lead To Lower Energy Bills
Although fireplaces are an attractive and cozy addition to your home, they do not ultimately save you money on your energy bill. Also, you must safely use them or they may release gases into your home that can harm the occupants of your house. If you do use a fireplace, your HVAC system will actually have to work harder than usual, which will ultimately increase, rather than decrease your heating costs.
Myth Number Five: You Can Prevent Frozen Pipes by Heating Your Entire House
Severe water leaks can occur when frozen pipes expand and burst. Also, you obviously cannot use water from your faucets if the pipes are frozen. One myth that frequently circulates is that running your heater constantly throughout your entire home will prevent frozen pipes. In reality, the only way to prevent this from occurring is to turn off the water and open the faucets. This can be done during the night or when everyone is gone for the day. When you are home, simply allow the faucets to drip, as flowing water does not typically freeze.
Myth Number Six: Raising Your Thermostat Heats Your Home Quicker
Your home will not heat up any faster because you crank your thermostat up. Instead, your heater will have to work much harder, and therefore energy will actually be wasted in the long-run.
Conclusion
If you are searching for an HVAC company that is reliable and trustworthy, you should get in touch with Wilcox Energy. We provide a variety of services for your heating system, such as tune-ups and repairs, which will ensure that your furnace functions efficiently and appropriately for the entire winter season.
Furnace maintenance is essential if you want to keep your heating bills at a reasonable level. When you schedule a furnace evaluation with Wilcox Energy, any minor problems in the system will be uncovered.
A tune-up is an opportunity to address issues before they become significant problems. Also, regular maintenance helps to prevent an entire breakdown, the latter of which often occurs during the coldest months of winter. For this reason, it is essential to make regular maintenance appointments with a qualified professional.
An annual tune-up will also prevent your furnace from having to run too hard. If your heater must labor excessively, your heating costs will naturally increase.
Give Wilcox Energy a call today to schedule an appointment and do preventative maintenance on your heating unit.
For more information about heating and cooling systems, such as tune-ups, repairs, or installations, contact Wilcox Energy. You can contact us at (860) 399-6218. We offer a full line of affordable and trusted HVAC services.