Homeownership can be expensive. And there is a great deal of information out there about saving money and improving home comfort—especially when it comes to heating your home. But how can you tell what's fact and what's fiction when it comes to home heating myths?
Our guide will help separate fact from fiction and provide simple actions you can take to ensure yearlong home comfort.
Just the Facts About Home Heating
This mini-guide will help debunk HVAC myths, heating myths, heat pump myths, and more. Let's dive in!
The Myth: Cranking your thermostat up to 85°F will heat your home more quickly.
The Truth
Raising the temperature higher won't speed up the heating — it just makes the system run longer, wasting energy.
What You Can Do
Set your thermostat to a comfortable, realistic temperature and let your system heat efficiently. We recommend investing in a smart or programmable thermostat to control your home's temperature better. Smart thermostats can even learn your daily routines and adjust the temperature when you're home, away, or sleeping — which can help you save money on your energy bills.
The Myth: You can save energy by closing vents in unused rooms.
The Truth
Modern HVAC systems are designed to deliver balanced airflow. When you close vents in unused rooms, you run the risk of increasing pressure, causing duct leaks, and straining your system.
What You Can Do
Keep all vents open to allow for proper airflow. Consider installing zoned heating or HVAC dampers to enhance temperature control efficiency.
The Myth: Ceiling fans are only for summer and should be turned off in the winter.
The Truth
Ceiling fans can effectively push warm air into your living space during the winter months. By setting your fan blades to move clockwise, they will push warm air down and help reduce your system's heating needs.
What You Can Do
Reverse your ceiling fan's direction in winter to push warm air from the ceiling toward the floor.
The Myth: A bigger heating system will warm my home faster and better.
The Truth
When it comes to heating, bigger isn't better. An oversized system cycles on and off too frequently, causing uneven temperatures, higher energy bills, and unnecessary wear that shortens the unit's lifespan.
What You Can Do
Before replacing your system, have an experienced HVAC professional perform a detailed load calculation. This ensures your new unit is properly sized for your home—delivering consistent comfort and energy efficiency.
The Myth: Space heaters are cheaper than central heating.
The Truth
Space heaters are cost-efficient if you need to heat a small space for a short period of time. They are not recommended for whole-home heating as they can consume large amounts of electricity.
What You Can Do
Space heaters can safely be used to heat small spaces for brief periods. If you use them, remember never to leave them unattended, always keep a three-foot clearance around them (no clutter), and unplug them when not in use. To ensure overall home heating savings, ensure that your main heating system is efficient and well-maintained.
Myth: If your heating system seems fine, you can skip maintenance.
The Truth
If your system isn't currently experiencing any issues, that's great—but regular maintenance still shouldn't be overlooked. Over time, dust buildup, worn parts, and airflow restrictions can reduce efficiency and may lead to costly problems. Routine maintenance may help prevent these issues and keep your system running efficiently
What You Can Do
Replace air filters every three months and schedule regular tune-ups in the fall and spring to help keep your equipment running efficiently.
The Truth Will Set You Free (and Boost Comfort, Too)
Understanding the difference between fact and fiction about heating myths can help you save money and energy and extend your system's life.
Book your seasonal HVAC inspection with ARS today so you can enjoy pure comfort and peace of mind all season long!
