Welcome to part two of our series about HVAC myths and misconceptions! In these posts, we’re taking a look at fictions and falsehoods that have been propagated about HVAC systems, and how some of them might actually be costing you money. Don’t fall for these myths. Your friendly, local HVAC contractors at Powerhouse in Blair NE are here to explain the truth.
Part 2: Myths About HVAC Energy Efficiency and Home Temperature
In part one, we explored myths about the maintenance, upkeep, and longevity of your HVAC unit. In this post, we’ll take a look at misconceptions regarding energy and efficiency and home temperature. By not falling for these myths, you’ll be able to run your HVAC in a way that keeps your home at an ideal temperature while not taxing your system.
Myth: A More Energy Efficient System Will Immediately Start Saving You Money
Can you save money in the long run by investing in a more energy efficient HVAC system? Yes. Do we, as HVAC experts, believe that energy efficient systems are good and viable options? Yes. Does this mean that you can plug one in and you’ll magically start seeing big savings right away? No.
The truth is that there are a lot of factors that play into your energy bill, and efficiency is only one little part of that. You might be surprised to find that a new energy efficient system doesn’t actually save you much, if any at all. In these instances, you might have to address other issues before you notice the benefits of your new streamlined system.
Poor insulation and shoddy window seals are both factors that can decrease your efficiency independent of your system. Also, you need to take great care in choosing your new unit; a system that’s too powerful for your home (or not powerful enough) might actually end up costing you more money. It’s not as easy as just walking into a store and choosing the first shiny unit that catches your eye; you need to invest in a system that’s ideal for your home.
This is another great reason to call your local HVAC contractors. At Powerhouse, we’ll be able to advise you on what kinds of units would be ideal for your home, and we would love to help you find ways to save money on your monthly bill. Feel free to contact us for a free quote, and ask us about our first-time benefits for new customers!
Myth: Setting the Thermostat Really High Will Reach Your Target Temperature Faster
We’ve all done it—your home is freezing and you want to set the temperature to, say, 72 degrees. So you do what seems the most logical; you crank that bad boy all the way up to 95, hoping that your HVAC will take note of your desperation and work extra hard to get up to that temperature with urgency.
Unfortunately, your HVAC is just a machine, and we’re going to shatter your world by telling you that it doesn’t matter which temperature it’s set to; it’s going to take just as long to reach your target. In other words, a higher target doesn’t make your system work harder. So if it takes ten minutes to reach 72 degrees, it will take ten minutes regardless of whether or not your thermostat is set to 72 or 100.
With that in mind, don’t “oversteer” your thermostat. If you happen to set it high and then you turn around and forget about it, your system will be working a lot more to maintain that extreme temperature until you catch your mistake. Take it from us, and every other HVAC contractor that’s worth their salt; you don’t need to overshoot your target temperature.
Myth: Closing Certain Air Vents Saves Energy and Pushes More Air Into Other Rooms
For HVAC companies, this one can be a little frustrating, because after all, every home comes equipped with vents you can choose to close of your own volition. It only seems natural that, if you close one, you’ll get more air flowing into the vents that are open. There’s also a precedent for this; in most cars, closing the vents on one side will make the air flow more powerful on the other.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t hold true for home HVAC systems. In a nutshell, your unit is designed to handle a balanced pressure load throughout your house. What this essentially means is that, if a room is closed off, air will find ways to get in regardless, such as being sucked through door cracks or windows. This causes an imbalance in your home’s air pressure and will actually make your HVAC system work harder. So forget about anything you’ve heard about saving energy by closing vents; blocking off rooms can actually make your bill more expensive.
That being said, it’s not the end of the world if you close a vent from time to time. However, we only suggest doing this if there’s only one room where you don’t want the airflow, and we would advise that you immediately open the vents back up when you’re satisfied, or no longer using the room. And on the flip side, if there’s only one room in the whole house that needs to be warmer or cooler, it’s a better option to use a singular device (such as a fan or a space heater) instead of blocking all the other vents in the home.
Your Local HVAC Experts Can Help
Whether it’s repairing your unit, giving you a free quote based on your needs, performing maintenance, or just giving you advice that we’ve accumulated over 18 years, Powerhouse has a desire to provide the best and most friendly service to the people of Blair and Omaha. For help in all your HVAC related needs, contact us today!
