When it comes to saving money on heating costs, there are all sorts of myths and misinformation out there these days, as everyone’s becoming an “expert.”
Nonetheless, to make homeowners aware of the more common myths these days, we at Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air decided to do some myth-busting this week to help to dispel the three we come across most frequently.
The following is our top 3 Furnace Mythbuster tips:
Myth #1: Older Homes Aren’t As Energy Efficient As Newer Homes
Despite it being true that newer homes are constructed with state standards for energy efficiency, it’s not true that these newer houses are more efficient, as crews neglect things from time to time and older homes are typically more “winterized” by the homeowners living in them. Great examples of this include insulation levels and air sealing measures. Newer homes only get the bare minimum amount of insulation, which can be significantly less than what Ohio winters truly require to keep heat from going out the roof. Moreover, the air sealing required to seal leaks and drafts that stop heat from escaping is rarely done. Both of these items can have a major impact on the overall energy efficiency and comfort of a home. And, without both of them, it makes the age of the home irrelevant as the system will have to work a lot harder to provide the same level of comfort.
Myth #2: Shutting Up Vents & Registers in Unused Areas Saves Money
Although seemingly counterintuitive, shutting up air registers and supply vents won’t save you any money on heating costs during the winter. Home heating equipment is installed and set up in a precise way so that the air pressure is balanced with vents and registers open in all areas of the house. Because of this and other considerations, closing vents messes with this intricate balance in addition to not saving on heating costs. Ultimately, it puts strain on the system. For best results, it’s best to leave all vents and registers open.
Myth #3: Cranking Up the Temp Heats the Home Faster
As cold as winter can be in Ohio, when it’s not as warm as we’d like inside, when we’re in a hurry for that comfort to kick in, sometimes it’s tempting to try to turn the heat several degrees above our normal temperature setting to hurry the warming process. Nonetheless, this is another myth, as it’s not the least bit helpful and furthermore it will cause the furnace to keep blowing heat after your home reaches the temperature level you were seeking in the first place. Except for multi-stage systems, all home heating systems always work at maximum capacity when they’re turned on — regardless of what temperature setting you have the thermostat set on. Because of this fact, there’s never a good reason to crank up the temperature above what you’re actually wanting it to be for normal comfort. It’s not going to heat things up any faster. It’s going to cause more harm in the long run.
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For more on furnace optimization, furnace maintenance, furnace replacement or furnace repair or to find out what your system is or is not doing properly call Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air today at 937-502-3842, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
