When it comes to heating your home, there are many different suggestions and an abundance of information online. Unfortunately, not all of that information is accurate. We’re going to dive into five of the biggest myths about wintertime heating so that you can have a better understanding of how to properly use your home’s heating system.
1. Air Filters Should Be Changed Every Fall
Probably one of the biggest myths out there is that you only need to change your HVAC filter once a year. That couldn’t be further from the truth. An HVAC filter will typically last anywhere between one and three months, depending on the specific household environment. Most homeowners will find that they need to change their HVAC filter more often during the cold winter months as they spend more time indoors.
As the filter removes airborne contaminants, these particles get trapped in the filter. As the filter gets packed full, its ability to thoroughly cleanse your air will be starkly reduced. In fact, an overly dirty air filter can result in numerous problems, with one of the biggest being restricted airflow in your ducting.
When airflow is restricted, your heating system has to work harder to successfully pull air through the filter. This will overwork the system’s components, increase your risk of experiencing a breakdown, shorten the overall life span of your system, and even lead to inefficient system operation. This will drive up your energy bills tremendously.
To avoid this problem, it’s best to check the air filter every couple of weeks during the wintertime. Hold it up to a light and look through it. If you can see through the filter, then it’s still good. If you can’t, then it needs to be replaced. It’s best to have a fresh filter at home so that you can do a replacement promptly, whenever necessary.
2. Keeping Your Thermostat at the Same Temperature Saves Energy
Traditionally, homeowners relied on dial-style thermostats where they could set one ambient temperature. It was very easy to simply set one temperature at the start of the season and then forget to change it. In fact, this style of thermostat isn’t very convenient.
Newer programmable and smart thermostats allow you to easily program in different temperature settings for various times and days. This means that you can set the temperature in the wintertime to be at 68 degrees when you’re home and drop it down to 60 degrees when you’re away.
By implementing this programmable option, you can actually work to reduce your energy bills. At times when you’re away from home, you can save energy by not having to run your heating system consistently. By keeping the temperature setting while you’re away at a reasonable level, your heating system will be more than capable of heating your home back up fairly quickly.
By better optimizing your temperature settings, your HVAC system can actually run less throughout the day. This creates less wear and tear on your system’s components. It also leads to a longer system life span, which every homeowner can enjoy.
3. Ceiling Fans Shouldn’t Be Used in the Winter
Most homeowners are familiar with the benefits of using a ceiling fan during the summer months. They help create a breeze that works to cool off your body. While ceiling fans certainly do get a lot of usage during the summer months, they should also get used during the wintertime.
The trick is to use your fans in their reverse direction. This will spin the blades in a clockwise direction. Instead of forcing air down onto you, this setting forces air upward. Because hot air rises, it can get stuck up at the top of your rooms. A ceiling fan will force that hot air outward and down the walls of your room. This will lead to the hot air ending up back at the floor.
This allows you to essentially recirculate that hot air and keep reusing it to stay warm. This reduces the need to constantly run your heating system to stay warm during the wintertime. A ceiling fan can be a great supplemental way to help lower your heating bills while still staying comfortable in your home.
4. Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Energy
The idea of closing vents in rooms that you don’t use to reserve that heat for other rooms that you do use can seem like an effective idea on the surface. However, that’s actually not the case. Closing vents in unused rooms can increase the pressure inside your ducting.
When pressure is high, it can put a large strain on the internal operating components of your HVAC system. Your system will struggle to provide even heat across the rooms where your vents are open. Instead, opt for only partially closing vents in rooms that you don’t use. This will help keep the pressure under control while rerouting some of the heat to other locations in your home.
You may even want to consider upgrading to a zoned HVAC system. This type of system has ducting that is designed to handle a change in airflow without reducing operating efficiency or putting a strain on the system’s components.
5. Bigger Is Always Better
In much of life, bigger tends to always be better. However, it’s important to realize that when it comes to your HVAC system, that’s actually not the case. Your heating system needs to be appropriately sized for your home.
While most people are familiar with the problem of a small heating system not meeting your heating demands, many aren’t familiar with the problems that come along with an oversized unit. The most notable problem is going to be that your heating system will consume more energy while running than an appropriately sized system. This will lead to higher home heating bills for you.
Tips on Lowering Your Heating Bills
While not everything out there is true, there are some proven methods for effectively lowering heating bills. One of the simplest to implement is to let sunlight in. Direct sunlight can create a good amount of heat in your rooms. In fact, sunlight has been shown to increase a room’s temperature by over 10 degrees. Opt for opening up your blinds and curtains during the daytime hours to take advantage of the free heat that the sun offers.
Another tip for lowering your utility bills is to invest in a smart thermostat that has learning technology. This will not only allow you to program in temperature settings to better optimize your energy usage, but it will also provide you with recommendations on how to further alter your settings to save even more money.
If your existing heating system is over 10 years old, it may be time to think about an upgrade. Systems made today are much more efficient than those that were made just 10 years ago. Furthermore, you always have the option of upgrading to a high-efficiency system. While these come at a higher up-front cost, they can save you even more on your annual heating bills.
Reliable Heating Service
Sano Heating & Air Conditioning offers reliable heating service for the Anaheim, CA community. We can also help with all your air conditioning, heat pump, indoor air quality, duct repair, duct installation, sheet metal, zoning, and smart thermostat needs. Call us today to book your next service consultation.
