Heating myths. They abound, and nearly all of them surround the humble thermostat. It should be simple…set it to your favorite temperature, and walk away, right? Not so fast.
We’ve gathered the top four thermostat myths and some new findings that debunk commonly held thermostat beliefs. Take a look to see if your thermostat habits are hurting or helping your heating costs!
MYTH #1:
Changing the Set Point Makes Your Furnace Work Harder
There is a long held belief that lowering the temperature of your home while you are away will only cause your system to struggle to recover the desired temperature when you arrive back home, thus expending more energy. However, if you are going to be gone for more than 8 hours, lowering the temperature 7-10 degrees will pay nice dividends on your heat savings. The ability to do these adjustments day-to-day can be optimized by installing a smart thermostat.
MYTH #2:
Cranking Up the Heat Will Get You Warm Faster
We want it to be true as much as you do, but walking in the door and turning the heat up to 85 won’t get you toasty any quicker. The fact is, when your furnace is on, it’s just plain on in a constant way. This means getting to your desired temperature is a matter of time and can’t be hurried along. What this practice CAN do is use way more energy than necessary. Instead of diving for the thermostat as soon as you get home, keep yourself warm with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
MYTH #3:
Smart Thermostats Will Save You Money
Well…yes and no. Smart thermostats can save you money— as much as $180 a year according to Energy Star—but with one caveat. You have to be smart about it. Be sure to take those fancy options for changing set points while you’re away and while you’re sleeping and put them to good use. A smart thermostat hanging on the wall without taking advantage of the features may look high tech, but it won’t save you any money on your heating costs. The good news is, our fine Appel service technicians can install a smart thermostat for you and teach you how to use it to its full potential.
MYTH #4:
Nobody EVER Changes the Thermostat When People Aren’t Looking
Okay, so you may have suspected this one. Studies show that 30% of couples disagree on temperature settings, and a whopping 27% sneak to the thermostat and change it while the other isn’t looking. We tend to think the percentages are higher, but who’s going to admit to such a thing? What we do know is that when it comes to thermostats, the woman is always right. Or is it the man?
Next time you reach for the thermostat (stealthily or not), take a moment to make sure your next move is going to save you energy and money. Some habits are hard to break, but we believe in you!