We all love saving a dollar here and there, and that desire often makes us turn to online sources for life hacks. However, when it comes to home heating, not every piece of advice you see is based on fact, and if you follow them, you may not be saving any money but wasting energy. Don’t believe the following common home heating myths. Instead, follow our tips to ensure your HVAC system in Beltsville, MD, or the surrounding area is in top working condition and not costing you more than it should.

Myth: Running Space Heaters Is Cheaper Than Your Gas Furnace

People think spending time in only a few rooms throughout their home is cheaper to run a space heater in those rooms rather than their gas furnace. However, it costs three to five times more to heat a small space with an electric space heater than it does to run your home’s gas furnace. So, you could spend the same amount of money on heating only part of your house as you would heating the whole thing.

Myth: Closing Vents and Registers Saves You Money

Your heating system was sized to warm up your whole house. If you close off or block vents, you affect how air circulates through the home. The pressure buildup within the system could cause the system to work harder and result in air duct leaks. Overall, this will increase your heating bill and may require repairs.

Myth: Turning Up the Thermostat Will Heat Your Home Faster

It almost seems logical: your house is freezing, and you want warm air now, so just crank up the thermostat to get more heat. However, this isn’t true.

Setting the thermostat to a higher temperature will not force the furnace to pump out more air. Instead, it will heat your home for longer periods of time. Cycle times are, therefore, longer, and the system has to work harder. This will increase your energy costs, especially if you forget to lower the temperature back down.

Myth: You Should Turn Off Your Heater When You Leave the House

Turning your heater off while you are away will only save you a negligible amount of money, and these savings are nothing compared to the stress put on the heating system every time it is turned on and off. For this reason, it is better to set the temperature three or four degrees lower than normal when you leave than to turn the heating unit off completely.

Myth: Duct Tape Will Seal Air Leaks

Despite the popular claim, duct tape can not be used to fix everything! If your ductwork is leaking, duct tape is not sufficient enough to take care of the problem. You should use metal tape or mastic sealant, and if you need a more permanent solution, reach out to your local HVAC experts.

Myth: Your Heating System Is Working Well, So You Don’t Need a Tune-Up

Just because your system seems to be working well right now doesn’t mean there isn’t an underlying issue developing. Annual tune-ups can catch minor problems before they become costly repairs and help your system be more energy efficient.

Save on Heating This Fall and Winter

Falling for these home heating myths can cost you money in the long run. If you want to save money on heating this fall and winter, make sure you schedule heating system maintenance and repairs with JC & JC HVAC Mechanical Contractors. We will cover all your heating needs: from furnace installations to boiler repairs in DC and MD. Contact us today to request an appointment!

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