When the temperatures are freezing, the cost to heat a home rises and may be a drain on your finances.
It is not surprising that homeowners all over find themselves paying thousands to stay warm. This aspect is especially true for winter seasons that are long and cold.
If you are interested in saving money on heat, you are probably looking for advice on how to do just that.
Heating Myths That Might Cost You Money On Your Energy Bills
Table of Contents
- 1 Heating Myths That Might Cost You Money On Your Energy Bills
- 1.1 Myth #1 Sealing Your Ducts With Duct Tape
- 1.2 Myth #2 Install Energy Efficient Windows
- 1.3 Myth #3 Installing A Programmable Thermostat
- 1.4 Myth #4 Use A Fireplace To Heat Your Home & Save Money
- 1.5 Myth #5 Heat The Whole House To Avoid Frozen Pipes
- 1.6 Myth #6 Turn Up The Thermostat To Heat Your Home Quickly
- 1.7 Conclusion
As with so many others, you are looking online for ways to reduce your home heating costs. But did you know that many of the tips you find are myths? These myths can end up costing you time and money.
Myth #1 Sealing Your Ducts With Duct Tape
The very name of the tape sounds right for sealing ducts, but the basic duct tape can loosen and come off. If you do choose to use it, think of it as a temporary fix to hold in heat until an HVAC technician can offer a more permanent solution.
Myth #2 Install Energy Efficient Windows
Investing in energy efficient windows sounds like a sensible move. After all, these modern types of windows ensure that your home has less heat loss. Unfortunately, installing these special windows can be very expensive, and it can take a long time for the windows to pay for themselves. If you need to save right now, these windows will not help with your endeavor.
Myth #3 Installing A Programmable Thermostat
This is not a complete myth, but it is not so easily done. A programmable thermostat must be programmed the right way to do the job correctly. The wrong programming can end up costing you even more money on your home heating costs. If you want to use this idea, it is best to have a certified technician to install and program it for you.
Myth #4 Use A Fireplace To Heat Your Home & Save Money
A lit fireplace can be a beautiful addition to your home and those around it may feel warmer. However, if you use it in addition to your regular system, you will find that the heat from your system can go right up the chimney and out of the house. As a result, your furnace will work even harder, and your heating bills will rise rather than go down. If you are not using a fireplace as your only source of heat, it is a good idea to light it only when you desire some time in front of a lit fire.
Myth #5 Heat The Whole House To Avoid Frozen Pipes
There is no doubt that frozen pipes can lead to your pipes bursting and leaking. At the least, you will not be able to get water from faucets. You might be surprised to learn that heating every room in the house will not keep your water pipes from freezing.
The best way to avoid having your pipes freeze at the coldest times is to turn off the water at your water meter and open your water faucets at night and during the times when you are not at home. When you are around, it is best to let your faucets drip. When you allow even a tiny stream of water run, the pipes will be less likely to freeze. Heating systems were designed to warm your home, not to take care of pipes.
Myth #6 Turn Up The Thermostat To Heat Your Home Quickly
Turning the thermostat up will not make your space warmer any faster. It will merely take longer to reach the high set temperature. Forcing your furnace to work longer will only waste the energy and end up costing you more to heat your home.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best way to save money on heat is to call on trustworthy HVAC professionals. Skylands Energy Service can provide you with heating and furnace services to keep your system running at top efficiency and help you keep your costs down in the long run.
If you want your furnace to keep running at its best, regular maintenance is essential. When you make an appointment with Skylands Energy Service, you can count on us to find the small issues and repair them before they cause bigger and more costly problems. Regular maintenance helps to ensure that you will have the heat you need on the coldest days and nights.
When you need some assistance with lowering your heating costs, make an appointment with Skylands Energy Service. We pride ourselves in providing the best services at competitive pricing that will ultimately help you stay warm and reduce the cost of your heat.
Contact us today or give us a call at (908) 707-1776 if you have any questions.