You keep your Woodcreek, TX, home updated and in great shape, caring for its looks and general condition. When it comes to your home’s HVAC system, there’s a lot of information available. Sadly, some of this information is incorrect. Read on to learn about some common HVAC myths that you shouldn’t believe.
Set Your Thermostat to One Temperature
Adjusting the temperature even a few degrees during the day when no one is home and at night when everyone is sleeping can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a programmable thermostat.
Homeowners who seek to reduce their utility bills through the use of a programmable or smart thermostat may also benefit from additional approaches that’ll help to enhance comfort and reduce energy costs. Keeping blinds and drapes closed on hot days will provide an insulating effect. Opening them during winter days allows the sun’s warming rays to help heat your home.
Close Vents in Unused Rooms
Many people will advocate for closing vents in rooms that are not in use, arguing that it redirects air where you need it most. HVAC service technicians design and size systems based upon the specific home. Redirecting airflow by closing off vents reduces system efficiency and may increase air pressure, which can cause leaky ductwork.
Bigger is Better
While it seems logical that a larger system would heat and cool your home better, this is a falsehood. A properly sized system will provide the most energy-efficient service over the life of the unit, providing years of comfort and energy efficiency.
An oversized unit may heat and cool to your satisfaction. But the unit will do so through short cycling, a condition whereby the system powers on and off much more often than it should. Short cycling can lead to:
- Excess humidity in the home.
- Higher maintenance and repair costs.
- Reduced system life and higher utility bills.
An undersized HVAC system will run longer cycles than it should and may not heat and cool your home to your satisfaction. These longer cycles will also result in increased utility costs, excess maintenance and reduced system life.
Ceiling Fans are Only for Summer
Many people think of ceiling fans as more useful for cooling than heating. But they’re also effective at reducing the need for heating. Ceiling fans assist your HVAC system in circulating air throughout your home. As heat rises to the ceiling, a properly oriented ceiling fan will redistribute that heat throughout the room.
Portable Space Heaters Save Money
If you’re using a space heater to supplement your furnace or heat pump, you may not only find that you aren’t saving money, but it may actually cost you more for your utilities. Your home’s gas furnace is much more efficient than an electric heater, making it the less expensive heating option.
Duct Tape Seals Ducts
Duct tape is, ironically, a bad product to use for sealing leaky ductwork. Duct tape peels with age and begins to come loose. Mastic sealant is a much better product to use for sealing air ducts, and if properly applied, it will provide a long-lasting seal.
Set Thermostats Much Lower or Higher
Turning the thermostat up higher than normal won’t cause your system to heat your home any faster than setting it at the desired temperature. It may also lead to overheating if you forget to turn the setting back down once the system achieves the target temperature. The same applies to cooling. Setting your thermostat to the lowest point will only strain your AC system.
HVAC issues can be tricky. If you have questions or concerns about the performance of your HVAC system, call Woods Comfort Systems today. Our skilled service technicians will resolve your HVAC issues with prompt, friendly service.
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