Fall and Winter Energy Mistakes

Common Fall and Winter Energy Mistakes

October 28, 2017

Unfortunately, most people believe at least one myth about fall and winter HVAC usage. These HVAC and energy mistakes can contribute to higher energy bills and make your Harrison, Ohio, household a less comfortable place.

Warming up the House Too Fast

You get home before your programmable thermostat has told the heater to warm up the house. You’re freezing, so you turn the thermostat up from 68 to 75 degrees to get the house warm faster. Don’t. The furnace heats the house at the same rate no matter what the thermostat says. What you’re doing is simply asking it to stay on longer. It would have turned off when the house reached 68 degrees. Now it will stay on longer to achieve 75 degrees, which wastes energy.

Saving Energy by Turning off the Furnace

You need to keep the house partially warm at night or when you’re away. If the furnace has to start from scratch and heat a house that’s below freezing or close to it, it’ll be on for a very long time indeed. The amount of energy you’re using to power the furnace for so long will negate any savings you think you made by turning it off. Turn it down 8 to 10 degrees while you’re sleeping, or while you’re away, and let it stay there.

Ignoring Your Air Filter

The air filter is an important part of your HVAC system all year round. Even if you think the furnace runs less often than the AC, or that you barely use your HVAC in fall, the filter still needs to be changed. Keep to your schedule and stock up on extra filters so this chore is easy to do when the filter change day rolls around every month or two.

Skipping maintenance is another mistake, because it can lead to system failure on a freezing cold night. Nobody wants to deal with that, so get a Western Hills Heating and Air Conditioning technician out ASAP. Call us at 812-227-3001 to schedule your appointment.

Image provided by Shutterstock

You May Also Like

Why Is My AC Heating My House in Cleves, OH?

Why Is My AC Heating My House in Cleves, OH?

When you turn on your air conditioner, you expect cool, refreshing air to come from your vents. If that’s not the case, and your air conditioner is making your home hotter, something is definitely wrong. Here’s a look at a few reasons for your AC to blow hot air in...

Should My Ductless Mini-Split in West Harrison, IN Be So Loud?

Should My Ductless Mini-Split in West Harrison, IN Be So Loud?

HVAC systems should not make loud and disturbing noises. Ductless mini-splits, which can operate extremely quietly, certainly should not do so. We'll discuss a few worrisome ductless mini-split noises that homeowners in West Harrison, IN should know about. Squealing...

Do I Really Need Spring Heat Pump Maintenance in Cincinnati, OH?

Do I Really Need Spring Heat Pump Maintenance in Cincinnati, OH?

Gearing up for spring in Cincinnati, OH means flipping your heat pump from heating to cooling mode. Before you do this, however, you should invest in heat pump maintenance. With regular maintenance, you can enjoy several benefits, as discussed below. More Reliable...

Compliance Settings
Increase Font Size
Grayscale
Simplified Font
Underline Links
Highlight Links
Reset
Close