If you think that bananas grow on trees, you'd probably have plenty of people who agree with you. Like a lot of myths, this one is perfectly harmless.
But when it comes to your home heating system, some myths – perpetuated and spread around by well-intentioned people – could do everything from jeopardize your safety to cost you unnecessary money each month on your utility bills.
At Experts In Your Home, we don't like to monkey around on either point. But before we debunk some common myths about home heating systems, we don't want to keep you hanging at the edge of...a branch. Take it from a home-grown entity, the California Rare Fruit Growers: the stems that bananas grow on are sturdy and can grow to 30 feet tall, but they consist of absolutely no woodsy material. Therefore, they are not trees but actually herbaceous perennials, like hostas.
Now, let's put banana facts aside to address the the real fun stuff: some common home heating system myths:
Myth: Turning off your heat during the day is a great way to save energy.
Reality: The operative word here is “off.” Even though temperatures don't often plunge below freezing in Northern California, it's not a good idea to turn off your heat and risk your interior pipes freezing and bursting. This said, lowering your thermostat while you're gone is a good idea that can save you money – or about 1 percent for every degree you can do so.
A smart reality: If you're feeling tethered to your thermostat, cut the cord, so to speak, and have a programmable thermostat installed so that you can pre-set your home temperatures – and see the savings on your monthly utility bill consistently. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that programmable thermostats save most homeowners at least $100 a year, which pays for the cost of this nifty investment several times over.
Myth: Using a wood-burning fireplace will reduce your heating bills.
Reality: Aesthetically, a lit fireplace can add charm and beauty to any room, and if you sit right in front of it, it probably won't take long for you to feel warm and cozy. But you shouldn't rely on a fireplace to serve the function intended for your furnace, says Ashley Eldridge, director of education for the Chimney Safety Institute of America. "Fireplaces are designed primarily as entertainment-oriented appliances. They are not designed for heating large areas."
A smart reality: Be safe and have your chimney inspected once a year. And remember to close the damper after using a fireplace so that the warm air you're paying for doesn't go right up and out of the chimney.
Myth: Portable space heaters are public safety menaces that homeowners should avoid using to heat their home.
Reality: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission traces about 25,000 fires and 300 deaths each year to space heaters, which is probably why so many people fear and avoid them. However, they're really no different than any other type of heated appliance – an iron, a stove, a toaster oven – that can wreak havoc when it's used improperly or carelessly. In fact, space heaters can be especially valuable if you wish to keep your home thermostat on the low side and your family prefers to congregate in one room anyway, says Max Sherman, a fellow at the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. "Space heaters also can be an energy-efficient option in a poorly insulated house when it is acceptable to only heat a small area," he says.
A smart reality: Minimize the risks by: purchasing a space heater that carries the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) label; placing it on a flat, sturdy surface; maintaining a 3-foot “clear zone” around it; plugging it directly into a wall rather than an extension cord; never leaving it unattended; and unplugging it – not just turning it off – when you're done using it.
Contact Experts In Your Home if there is a “mythconception” – a myth or a misconception – that you'd like us to clear up about your home heating system. We won't monkey around in getting you the facts.
Do you know what to do if your home heating system breaks? Find out what questions to ask in the free download below.
