3 Heating Myths That Could Cost You Money This Winter

With the winter weather here, many homeowners have the heat in their homes cranked high to keep them comfortable. But while you may be nice and warm, your energy bill is probably rising. The good news is that you don't have to freeze to save on energy during the colder months. Let's take a look at a few heating myths that could cost you energy and money this winter.


You should turn up the heat quickly. One of the biggest misconceptions about using heat is that if you crank up the heat, it will warm up the house faster. Unfortunately, this is not true. Your HVAC system can't magically make your home five degrees warmer instantaneously. Instead, it has to heat it up slowly. And if you set the thermostat several degrees higher, your heating system is just going to have to work harder. In turn, this actually uses more energy. So if you're looking to save on energy costs, don't change the temperature more than a few degrees at a time.


New windows always help reduce energy costs. If you live in an old house with old windows, air leaks around the windows certainly could be contributing to increased energy bills. But getting new windows is not a cure-all solution. Furthermore, getting all new windows can be an expensive project. Instead, you should focus on smaller ways to reduce air leaks throughout your home. Did you know that insulating your walls and ceilings can help reduce heating bills by 20% to 30%? Ensuring your home is properly insulated is a great way to ensure the warm air stays inside your home.


A programmable thermostat always saves energy. While it's true that having a programmable thermostat can help reduce energy use, it only works if you use it properly. When you get a programmable thermostat, make sure to read the instructions and talk to your electric company. If you program the thermostat to turn the heat up before you get out of bed when you normally wait until you get up, it's going to end up using more energy. But if the thermostat is programmed properly, it could help you save energy.


Hopefully, this article cleared up some confusion regarding using heat and saving energy during the winter. If you have questions or concerns about your energy use, talk to your electric company about ways you can reduce your monthly bills.

Keep the Energy in! Three Different Types of Energy Saving Windows

We're always looking for ways to conserve energy and lower utility costs in our homes. Not only that, but we want every dollar to go towards keeping us warm and cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. One of the solutions we don't typically consider has to do with our windows. We know we can shut them and keep the heat in, but not many of us know there's a way to go beyond that to save on energy costs even more.

It was easy about 150 years ago for wood to supply nearly 90% of the nation's energy, keeping costs down nice and low. In the modern age, that just isn't feasible. However, when you consider switching to energy saving windows, you may be able to cut down your personal energy costs. Here are three treatments you can give to your windows to save on your next energy bill.

Triple Glazed Vinyl
Using triple glazed vinyl windows is an excellent way to save energy inside your home. Not only do they keep the heat in, but they actually draw in solar energy from outside to lock into your house as well. These energy saving windows are well-made and strong, keeping your house warm during cold weather and cool during hot weather. They provide top of the line energy conservation for your home.

Gas-Filled Windows
While this concept of gas trapped between glass panel windows may seem odd to people, these treatments make energy savings go through the roof. The gases used are either argon, xenon, or krypton, and they are sealed between the panes to prevent condensation. These windows are excellent when it comes to storing energy, though their costs might vary depending on what type of gas is used.

Triple Glazed Wood Frame
Similar to triple glazed vinyl and gas-filled windows, the wood is treated to prevent any excess energy from leaving the house and costing you more money. Also, wood frames tend to have a lot more character, and you can never go wrong with an attractive wooden frame.

No one wants to find out their well-earned cash is flying out the window. If you're trying to find some new ways to save a couple extra bucks this season, give energy saving windows a shot and see if you like them.