Common Heating Myths and Truths

It’s the time of year when most of us run our furnaces and heaters 24/7. Usually, we don’t think much of it. You turn on the thermostat and go about your life. But there are several things that we take for granted about heating our homes that are actually myths. Below you'll find some common myths debunked by Scott Schneider, an expert HVAC professional with TLC Plumbing & Utility.  

Winter Heating Myths by Scott with TLC Plumbing & Utility

The Thermostat is Not a Gas Pedal

Myth: If I turn the temperature up on my thermostat, my house will warm up faster.

Truth: Turning up the thermostat doesn’t actually heat the house faster. As Scott explains it, we tend to think of our thermostat like a gas pedal. In reality, it’s more like a light switch. The temperature setting just lets you decide how warm it should be in the house before the furnace cycles off. It doesn’t set the temperature of the air coming out of the furnace.

It’s normal for it to take a while to heat the house after you’ve been gone. Most of us turn the thermostat off or down when we leave. We hope it wasn’t off while you were gone, because that can cause the temperature in your home to drop and freeze the pipes in your plumbing. Nobody wants that. As a rule of thumb, keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees during the winter so that your pipes don’t burst.

Pro Tip: A smart thermostat that works off your Wi-fi will help you control the temperature in your home even when you’re away. Scott strongly suggests installing a smart thermostat if you travel a lot. This way, you can control your thermostat from your phone anywhere there’s an internet connection. Before you head home, set your thermostat to the temperature you normally have it set to. It’ll be warm and cozy for you when you get there! The app will even notify you if an issue is detected.

Keep All Those Vents Open

Myth: Closing the vents in unused rooms will make the rest of the house warmer.

Truth: Closing the vents in unused rooms creates cold spots.

Scott shared why it’s important to heat the house as a whole. The outer walls of your house are insulated against the cold and the heat.  The inner walls are not.  When you close the vent to an unused room, it creates what's known as a cold spot.  Cold attracts heat, so you lose heat through the uninsulated walls.  By heating your house as a whole, you are able to keep everything balanced and even.   

You Might Need New Insulation, Not a New Furnace

Myth: If I get a new, more efficient furnace, it is going to cut my energy bills down.

Truth: Sometimes a new furnace is the answer, but Scott says that it’s not the only option. A great way to lower your energy bills is to make sure your home is properly insulated. As he mentioned before, heat moves toward cold. If your house – especially your attic – is poorly insulated, you’ll spend your money trying to heat the outdoor air coming in your home. Before buying a new furnace, get your attic and outer walls reinsulated. Seal up cracks around windows and doors.

Pro Tip: If you have a sudden jump in energy costs, start with changing your furnace air filter. Dirty air filters “suffocate” your furnace, making it work harder. HVAC professionals might harp on this a little. That’s because it is one of the most important things you can do for your furnace. It’s also one of the easiest way to keep your furnace running properly, so win-win.

It’s Dangerous to Heat Your Home with the Stove

Myth: I can run my gas stove or oven to heat my house.

Truth: It is very dangerous to leave your gas-burning stove or oven on, and here’s why. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion. It’s created when your furnace, your car, your stove, and any other gas-burning appliance burns fuel. In concentrated amounts, carbon monoxide is deadly. Your gas-burning kitchen stove puts out a lot of carbon monoxide when it is left running for extended periods of time. Do not use your stove this way, it is very dangerous!

Pro Tip: Another thing that HVAC repairmen encourage customers to do is install carbon monoxide detectors. The reason is that they are lifesaving! A damaged furnace (or any other gas-burning appliance) can leak carbon monoxide, which is tasteless, odorless, and invisible. You need an early warning system to keep you and your family safe. Pick up a carbon monoxide detector from your local home improvement store or ask your HVAC professional to install one for you.

The bottom line is that there are a lot of heating myths out there. You are already a more informed homeowner. You can make better decisions, stay cozy, and be safe all winter long!