Fall 2011
3 Common Heating Myths Debunked
There is a lot of “conventional wisdom” out there pertaining to heating and heating systems. Just because it’s called wisdom, though, does not necessarily make it good advice. It may not even be true, for that matter. Here are three common heating myths you should be aware of.
Myth #1: An operational heating system is a happy heating system.
Just as all people from Germany are Europeans, but not all Europeans are German, the mere fact that your heating system is working does not necessarily mean that it is in great shape.
Furnaces, fans and other heating components can keep on chugging along, even if they are in need of maintenance or repair. However, they are often working nearly as well as they should or could be. For example, a furnace with a dirty filter will still work for a while, but not as efficiently, so it will cost more to operate. That is, until the filter becomes too clogged and the whole thing breaks down.
To make sure your heating system is working right, listen for unusual or loud noises, observe to see if it stays on longer than usual to heat a room to the same temperature and check the filter regularly.
Myth #2: Changing the filter is enough.
Cleaning and/or changing your furnace filter are great practices to get into. It not only increases the efficiency of your furnace and extends its life; it also improves your home’s air quality.
However, that should not be the extent of your furnace maintenance routine. In addition to checking the filter, vacuum your vents once a month. Keep your furnace room clean to avoid having debris and dirt sucked up into the fan. For fuel burning furnaces, check the pilot light to make sure it is burning clean and bright.
And, of course, have your whole heating system inspected at least once a year to keep it in pristine operating condition.
Myth #3: The higher the thermostat is set, the faster the house will heat up.
This is a common misconception, and at first, it seems to make logical sense.
However, upping the setting on the thermostat only changes the maximum temperature that the furnace heats to, not the rate at which it heats. Your furnace will heat your home at the same rate no matter what the thermostat setting is. A higher setting just means the furnace will be on longer and waste more energy.
Instead, simply set the thermostat at a reasonable temperature and be patient.
Avoid these three myths and you can save money both now and in the future. And if you’re ever unsure about how to maintain or keep up with your HVAC systems, call in a professional. Even if your system isn’t due for maintenance, it is good to learn what’s next on your to do list.
The Benefits of Tuning Up Your Heating System
The sun is setting earlier, the temperatures have started to fall and depending on where you live, you may have even seen flakes of snow start to fly. That means that winter is very nearly upon us, and heating season is about to begin – if it hasn’t already.
That also means that if you have not gotten an annual tune up of your heating system, time is running short to get it done. In case you need some reminders about why that is so important, read on to learn more.
The Tune Up
When a professional comes to your home to do annual maintenance on your HVAC system, you may wonder just what he is up to. Usually, it is just routine tasks. He will do a general inspection, tighten connections, check lines to make sure they are moving freely, lubricate any moving parts and clean the parts that get dirty easily, like filters, fans and vents.
Also, if there are any parts that need to be replaced during this time, he will take care of that as well.
The Benefits
That all seems simple enough, so why is it so important? There are several reasons, such as:
- Replacing worn parts early prevents major breakdowns later, such as in the middle of winter. Being without heat in the chilly midst of January while you wait for a repairman to make it through the snow is no fun.
- Tightening, lubricating and cleaning the various components of your heating system helps keep the whole system running smoothly and efficiently. This means your home is as warm as it can be, and your family is comfortable and happy.
- Routine maintenance extends the life of your heating system, so you can avoid dropping big money on a replacement as long as possible.
- You save money, not only on the replacement costs we just mentioned, but also on monthly bills and future repair costs.
When you look at all those benefits together, it only seems natural to have your heating system inspected and tuned up. The sooner, the better, so give a call to local professional today.
That way, you can be warm all winter long and rest easy knowing that your heating system is in great shape.