Anybody that has a furnace in their home has likely heard some weird myths about it when it comes to operation and maintenance. That's why it helps to know the truth behind these furnace myths.

Myth: Turn Up The Thermostat To Heat The Home Faster

A common misconception about furnaces is that if you turn the thermostat to a higher setting, it is going to warm up your home faster. That is simply not true, since all you are doing is setting the temperature that you want the thermostat to shut down the system at. The furnace is not going to produce heat at a hotter temperature if the thermostat is higher; it is simply going to run longer to reach that set temperatures. Feel good about setting the thermostat where you want the temperature to be, and the system will take care of the rest to reach that temperature in the most energy-efficient way possible.

Myth: Closing Vents Can Save Energy

Think you're saving energy by closing vents to rooms that you are not using? This may actually cause more harm than good. Your furnace reads the temperature from the thermostat, and as long as air is flowing to that room, it is going to operate as normal. Closing vents to rooms not in use is only going to make those rooms colder. Vent dampers should be used as a way to control the temperature for comfort, not for saving energy with your HVAC system.

Myth: A More Powerful Furnace Is Always Better

Many homeowners don't understand that a furnace actually needs to be sized for a home, and buying a more powerful furnace is not going to make your home feel more comfortable. In fact, that larger furnace is actually going to cause more harm than good. The furnace will be able to produce hot air faster, but that only results in the rooms being heated quickly. The furnace then shuts down quickly, and the temperature drops quickly as well. It causes a cycle where the furnace is constantly cycling on and off, which is not good for the long-term health of a furnace.

Myth: The Only Way To Lower Energy Bills Is With A New, Energy-Efficient Furnace

If your energy bills are through the roof this winter, know that a new furnace is not going to solve the problem. Many energy efficiency problems can actually be fixed by looking at other aspects of your home. Windows that leak air, poor insulation, and drafty doors can all lead to your home not being energy efficient.

Go to sites like https://www.erickson-plumbingqc.com/ to get help from heating contractors today.