Especially today, people all over the world are looking for tips, tricks and shortcuts to reduce energy costs. Those who are sick and tired of dreading the monthly energy bill are willing to try just about any technique they can think of to improve the efficiency of their home.
Unfortunately, there are so many wise tales, legends, and rumors about the best way to heat and cool your home that it’s hard to separate fact from fiction.
To finally get the truth and improve your knowledge about energy efficiency, here are the facts about several of the most common energy myths that may be increasing your energy bill:
Myth: Closing vents and registers will lower your heating bill.
TRUE: If your heating system is like most, blocking the vents actually hurts the longevity of your unit. Modern forced air heating systems have a balanced pressure head throughout the house and use vents and registers to draw air in and out. Closing the vents disrupts this balance and makes your system work harder or even crash.
Myth: Leaving a ceiling fan on will cool down a room, even when you’re not there.
TRUE: While the fans may feel refreshing on a hot summer day, they do not affect the actual air temperature. Fans cool your skin by circulating stagnant air. For a fan to be beneficial, someone must be in the room; Leaving fans on while you’re out of the house or out of the room wastes electricity.
Myth: Duct tape is good for sealing ducts.
TRUE: Duct tape is used in a variety of creative ways, from making wallets to plugging leaks, but one job that duct tape shouldn’t be used for, ironically, is sealing air ducts. Tape doesn’t stick well to dusty or dirty surfaces, and air ducts are often just that. Also, over time the tape peels off and loses its tack. Try caulk tape instead, which sticks and seals much stronger.
Myth: The higher you set your thermostat, the faster your furnace will heat your home.
TRUE: Furnaces deliver heat at the same rate no matter how high your thermostat is set. The same rule applies to air conditioners: putting your A/C unit on full blast won’t cool your home any faster, but it will make the system work harder to make your home cooler. To top it off, you’ll probably end up wasting more power in the long run by having to readjust the temperature.
Myth: There is no real benefit to adjusting your thermostat when you don’t need heating or cooling, such as at night or when no one is home.
TRUE: Data repeatedly shows that homeowners can save energy and money the longer they keep their home at a reduced temperature when heating or at a higher temperature when cooling.
Essentially, the cost of heating and cooling is based on the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. By setting the temperature in your home higher in the summer and lower in the winter, you reduce this difference and can save up to 15% on your energy bill.
Programmable thermostats are an invaluable tool for saving money in this way.
This is just a start to telling fact from fiction when it comes to heating and cooling your home efficiently, but sometimes all you need is a start. Do your research before trying an energy-saving trick; It may take some time and effort, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run.