When homeowners are looking for ways to save money on heating and cooling costs, it can be easy to be misled by many of the myths that are floating around on the Internet. But when you need some solid advice or tips, who better to turn to, and trust, than your local HVAC pros at Parobek Plumbing & Air Conditioning? You trust us when you have a problem with your heating or cooling, and we appreciate both your trust and your business. We will provide some honest, fact-based advice about some of these urban legends and flat out lies that you might read on the web.
MYTH: Programmable thermostats are only a fad that appeals to tech enthusiasts. They don’t save you money because it costs more to heat up a cold room than to maintain the temperature.
FACT: It costs substantially less to heat a cold room than to maintain the temperature all night. And the same is true of cooling in the summertime. The real truth is that programmable thermostats are a great way to save money. It lets you adjust the temperature when you are sleeping or away from home. Then you set the thermostat to re-adjust the temperature just before you wake up or arrive home. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you should consider installing one. It is an excellent investment for long-term savings.
MYTH: Duct tape is all you need to fix a leaking duct.
FACT: Duct tape really does not stick to ductwork very well. It could be considered a short-term fix until you have the right product to fix the leak or have it professionally repaired. But it is not a long-term solution. Several mastic sealants are designed, especially for ductwork repairs that are worth the cost if you are making a DIY repair.
MYTH: Most of my home’s heating and cooling is lost through the windows.
FACT: In most homes, the most significant heat loss is through the roof because of poor insulation. However, older windows could be losing a considerable amount of warmed or cooled air. You can check the seals on your windows by slowly moving a stick of incents or a candle around the window. If you see the smoke drifting through the window frame or out through cracks, you know that you have a temperature loss issue.
If replacement windows are not in your current budget, but you have significant leakage, consider other ways to insulate your windows. New caulk and thick curtains can reduce the impact these leaks have on the temperature inside your home.
MYTH: A ceiling fan will cool my room or house.
FACT: Ceiling fans do not cool a room or home. What a ceiling fan does is move air to help you feel more comfortable. In the summertime, ceiling fans are used to draw hot air up away from the part of the room where you are sitting. In the winter months, a ceiling fan can be reversed to push the warm air back down towards the floor to help you feel warmer. But the fan does not change the overall temperature of any space.
MYTH: Closing off HVAC vents in my home will reduce my heating and cooling costs.
FACT: Closing off part of the airflow in your home is not a good idea. Your HVAC system was designed to heat and cool your home with a balanced pressure load throughout the duct system. And when you alter that pressure and airflow, you create issues in the system’s overall efficiency. The furnace or air conditioner will still work just as hard. And the added pressure could result in duct leaks that will waste additional energy.
It is better to adjust the thermostat a degree or two to save on heating and cooling costs. Also, make use of the sun’s warmth in the winter by opening blinds and curtains, and avoid that added heat in the summer by closing blinds and curtains.
If you have other questions about tips or ideas that you have read on the Internet but are not sure they are correct, call (512) 910-8123to speak to a Parobek Plumbing & Air Conditioning team member. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with reliable options to solve any issue you might have with home HVAC system. Installing a new programable thermostat and inspecting ducts and windows for leaks can be done in one service appointment to increase your home’s energy efficiency lower your HVAC operating costs.
