Winter in Ohio can be brutal. To stay warm, many homeowners crank up the heat, leading to sky-high energy bills. However, many common beliefs about winter heating are simply myths — and these myths can lead to unnecessary energy consumption and cost you a substantial amount of money. This week, we’re debunking five common winter energy myths, providing you with energy-saving advice to keep your home warm and your wallet happy!
Myth #1: Closing Vents Saves Energy
One of the most common myths is that closing vents in unused rooms will save you money by forcing warm air to circulate in the areas you use most. However, this can actually increase your energy costs. Your central heating system is designed to distribute heated air evenly throughout your entire home. By closing vents, you disrupt the balance of airflow, making your heater work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This increases energy consumption and can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your system. So keep those vents open this winter!
The Facts: To truly save energy and ensure your central heating system runs at its most efficient, one thing you can do is improve the airflow of your current setup. Walk through your house and check each heating vent, taking care to move furniture, drapery, and other household items away from the vents to enable maximum airflow.
Myth #2: Cranking Up the Thermostat Heats Your Home Faster
When you arrive home after work to a freezing cold house, it’s tempting to crank the thermostat up to a much higher setting to heat your home faster. However, this is actually another common heating myth. Your heating system works at a constant rate to warm your entire house. Turning the thermostat up will not speed up this process; it will only make your heater run longer, consuming more energy and increasing your heating bills.
The Facts: Instead of cranking up the temperature to get warm when you arrive home from work, consider investing in a programmable thermostat to gradually heat your space to a comfortable temperature before you get home. This simple change can help you save energy and keep your heating costs in check.
Myth #3: Space Heaters Are Cheaper
Electric space heaters are often marketed as a way to save money by only heating one room at a time. While they may seem like a quick fix for that one cold room, they can actually drive up your utility bills significantly. Electric space heaters consume a substantial amount of electricity, especially if they are left running for long periods. If you use multiple space heaters throughout your house, your energy usage can quickly surpass that of a well-maintained central heating system.
The Facts: Rather than relying on space heaters, focus on improving insulation. Addressing heat loss by weather-stripping windows and doors, sealing air leaks around pipes, and running ceiling fans in reverse to circulate warm air.
Myth #4: The Bigger the Heating System, the Better
Many homeowners assume that an oversized heating system will warm up their space faster and maintain better comfort, but the opposite is often true. Furnaces, heat pumps, and other heating systems are designed to operate most efficiently when they are properly sized for your home’s square footage, insulation, and layout. An oversized unit cycles on and off more frequently — a process known as short cycling. Frequent short cycling increases energy use and puts unnecessary wear and tear on the system. It can also prevent your system from running long enough to distribute heat evenly, leaving some areas of your home too hot while others remain chilly.
The Facts: If it’s time to install a new heating system, it’s essential to work with HVAC professionals to guarantee energy efficiency and prevent short cycling. Experts will consider key factors like the size of each room, the quality of your insulation, the number of windows, and your climate zone to calculate the right size unit for your home.
Myth #5: Heating Maintenance Is Optional
Many homeowners believe that skipping annual heating maintenance is no big deal, especially if their system seems to be working fine. However, your heating system, like any other piece of equipment, requires routine care to operate efficiently and reliably — particularly during winter, when it works hardest. Without proper maintenance, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate in your unit, reducing airflow and overworking the system. Additionally, worn-out parts or minor issues that go undetected during maintenance can escalate into costly repairs or a full system replacement when the unit finally breaks down.
The Facts: Investing in annual heating maintenance may seem like an added expense, but it pays off in lower energy bills, fewer repairs, and a longer-lasting system. In fact, many manufacturers actually require regular professional servicing to keep warranties valid!
Warm Your Home & Protect Your Wallet!
Believing these five common winter heating myths can cost you a bundle. But by taking time to understand the facts behind the fiction, you can save money on heating bills, keep your whole house at a more comfortable temperature, and protect your heating equipment from premature wear and tear.
At Quality Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help you stay comfortable during cold weather while keeping your heating costs under control. If you need furnace repair in Canton, OH, now or in the future, we’re the crew to call! Our experienced HVAC professionals will assess your heating system, identify areas for improvement, and recommend energy-saving solutions tailored to your specific needs. Plus, our financing options make heater replacement more affordable than you think.
Contact us today to schedule your services in Canton, OH, or the surrounding area, and discover how we can help you heat your home for less this winter!
