Are you falling for energy-saving myths that promise to drastically reduce your utility bills? Unfortunately, many of the most common beliefs related to saving energy have no basis in reality. Here are some of the most common energy-saving myths and a list of alternative methods you can use to really cut down on your energy use.
Myth: Space heaters are more efficient than using your heating system.
Fact: Space heaters do give you the opportunity to heat just one room at a time, but electricity costs are significantly higher than the cost of natural gas, especially when used to power a space heater or baseboard system. Stick with using your furnace or heat pump over the winter months for real savings. Keeping your heating system maintained will keep your heating bills under control.
Myth: Turning off all of your power-hungry appliances and electronics will put a dent in your electric bill.
Fact: The problem with this tip is that people still leave their appliances and electronics plugged in after they turn them off. A small amount of electricity is used when anything is left plugged in, so it's best to unplug anything that will not be in use, or else use a power strip to "unplug" several items off at once.
Myth: Leaving your lights on when you're not in the room actually uses less energy than turning your lights off and on.
Fact: This is an outdated belief that is no longer true. It's always better to turn something off if you're not using it. Many families find that they waste energy because people in the household forget to turn off lights or ceiling fans when they leave a room. The best solution to this problem is to install sensors that will automatically turn lights and fans off and on when movement is detected in a room.
Boost Energy Efficiency with Hartman Brothers
Think twice before you fall for these energy-saving myths. If you're dealing with energy inefficiency and think your heating or cooling systems may be the culprit, please contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning for help. Our business has been providing high-quality services with a focus on customer satisfaction to Fort Wayne area homeowners since 1963. You can even schedule an appointment online for convenience.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy-saving myths and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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