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.