As a homeowner, you know that home heating is one of the most expensive systems you can’t live without. Even though you appreciate a cozy living room on a cold winter’s night, the utility bill you get at the end of the month is less welcome. You may be looking for tips you can use to get more out of your furnace while spending less on natural gas or electricity, and there’s a lot of good advice out there. But not all those pointers are helpful. In fact, there are a lot of home heating myths that are spread around as gospel. There’s nothing malicious about these myths but believing them could mean you’re not saving as much as you’d like.

For example, one of the most persistent, but inaccurate, home heating myths is that you should shut off your heat when you leave the house. Although this sounds reasonable, it’s actually better to turn your thermostat down but not off. Forcing your heating system to start back up after it’s been off for hours burns more energy than cranking it down a few degrees when you leave and turning it back up when you get home.

Other home heating myths that people fall for based on bad information is waiting until the furnace breaks down to call a professional. A regular tune-up is crucial to ensuring your heating system stays in good shape, even if you’re not currently experiencing any problems with it. Similarly, it’s wise to be proactive about replacing your furnace rather than risk a failure during cold weather.

Home Heating Myths: Key Takeaways

Don’t let common home heating myths cost you money on your bills. Talk to a specialist about other misconceptions and how to debunk them.

Source: Amanda Kinsella is Marketing Director at Logan A/C and Heat Services for the Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio markets. Throughout her 10-plus-year career at the company, she has worn many hats and taken on multiple roles.