This is a recap of an article from Yahoo. As homeowners, we try to save on our energy bills any way we can. Believe it or not, some of the things that you may be doing are costing you more instead of saving. Here are a few of the myths:
#1 Closing the vent saves energy
This is a very common practice that I run across all the time. We don’t use that spare bedroom or back den, so let’s close the vent to that room. This actually can cause the system to work harder. Closing vents will disrupt the airflow in the system and potentially make the fan work harder and wear out sooner.
You can add a zoning system to your unit if you want to control different part of your house separately. These systems won’t harm your unit.
#2 Setting the thermostat higher heats my home faster
Your furnace (or air conditioning unit in the summer time) only has a fixed capacity. When it needs to heat up, it can only provide this fixed heating capacity. If you turn it up too high, you risk over heating which will cost you extra money. Set the unit on the temperature you want; relax and let it do it’s thing.
Some of our new furnace are multi stage or modulating (variable). These furnaces vary their capacity based on the work you ask them to do. These furnaces not only increase efficiency, but comfort as well.
#3 Using an electric space heater saves money
Electric resistance heat, which is what space heater use, is the most expensive way to heat a house. Running two or three electric heaters may end up costing you the equivalent of heating an entire house with a natural gas furnace.
These are just a few of the myths that are related directly to heating and cooling. Please click here for the full article which also includes links to other tips.
As always, if you have any questions on energy efficiency or heating, please give us a call.
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