Three Myths About Heating Your Home in the Winter

It can be so hard to know fact from fiction when it comes to something as complex as your home HVAC system. In this article, we bust three commonly held myths about heating your home in the winter.

Myth #1: Closing vents in unused rooms saves money.

Closing heat vents in your home may actually increase your energy bill and cause damage to your furnace. This is especially true with newer furnaces. When you close a vent you are encouraging the return air register to pull cold air out of that room and back into your system for re-heating. This also adds uneven air pressure within the ducts. Rather than heating your home, heat will begin to escape through small holes in the ducts, often in undesired places like basements and closets.

Lastly, the built-up air pressure forces your furnace to work harder to distribute the air evenly, and may wear down your system over time. A professional at Owens can help determine the best ventilation strategy for your home.

Myth #2: Running a humidifier is just another energy expense.

There are heating benefits to running a humidifier that will help offset the added energy costs. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better. This will let you turn the thermostat down a few degrees and still feel comfortable. Household plants can also increase humidity in smaller living areas.

Myth #3: Turning on a ceiling fan will make my house colder.

Running a fan does not lower the temperature. This is the same concept as the ‘wind chill’ effect or perceived temperature. In fact, you can use your home’s ceiling fans to your advantage. Running ceiling fans ‘clock-wise’ on a low setting will gently push warm air down; trapping it inside your home and evenly distributing it throughout.

Want to learn more?

Now that we’ve busted these myths about heating your home, lets talk about preventive maintenance. A preventive maintenance plan from Owens Companies can save you time and money, by assuring your HVAC system is in great shape all year round. Starting at just $25 per month, it’s a great deal.

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