When it comes to home heating, there is an endless amount of myths and misconceptions.
Would you like to save more money on your heating bills every month? Of course, you would! Who wouldn’t? Heating and cooling account for almost 50 percent of the energy costs in your average home, and it’s no wonder so many people are willing to do whatever it takes to save more money. Unfortunately, many of the tips out there on how to save actually end up costing you more because they just aren’t true. Luckily, Tri-Elite Advisors is here to set the record straight. Check out our previous blog to learn about the common heating myths we’ve already covered, and keep reading to learn more:
Myth #4. Ceiling fans can only help you keep your home more comfortable in the summer.
Ceiling fans can be incredibly helpful in the summer, and they may even allow you to rely on your air conditioner a little bit less. What many people don’t know is that ceiling fans can help you stay comfortable and save energy in the winter as well. Heat rises, and when you adjust your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise, it can actually force the warm air down.
Myth #5. You can save money by using your fireplace.
Nothing is quite as cozy or comforting as lighting a fire in your fireplace, but if you’re lighting that fire to keep your home warm or to try to save money, you’re better off relying on your heater. Fire requires lots of oxygen, which it will take from inside of your home, and you have already paid to heat it! This creates negative pressure in your home, and as a result, cold, outside air to rushes into your home through tiny cracks and openings. Believe it or not, lighting a fire in your fireplace can actually make the temperature drop in your home, causing you to waste even more energy and money.
Myth #6. You’ll save big if you replace your windows.
If your windows are old and leaky, then there’s a good chance that the warm air inside your home is leaking out of your windows, wasting energy and reducing your comfort in your home. However, replacing your windows can be incredibly pricey — in many cases, window replacement costs thousands of dollars. It’s such an expensive project that it may not offset the costs of the leaks, at least not in the next few years. Sealing those leaks is often a much more economical way to fix the issue, and you can save even more if you add weather stripping and insulation.
Not only do many of the home heating myths that we’ve covered fail to save you energy, most of them can actually cause your energy bills to spike! If you are trying to save energy while heating your home, one of the best things you can do is stay up to date on maintaining your HVAC system. Your HVAC system is most efficient when it is properly maintained.
Whether you’re looking for HVAC maintenance or any other HVAC services, Tri-Elite Advisors can help. Contact us today to get started.