Don't Fall for These Energy-Saving Myths

The HVAC world is full of old wives’ tales, especially when it comes to saving energy. By understanding the truth behind these energy-saving myths, you can make informed decisions on how to reduce your home’s energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.

Myth #1: Ceiling Fans Can Cool Down a Hot Room

The gentle breeze a ceiling fan produces makes you feel cooler due to the wind chill effect. However, it won’t do anything to lower actual room temperatures. Unlike air conditioners, ceiling fans are incapable of removing heat from the air – an essential step for lowering room temperatures.

Myth #2: Closed Vents Reduce Energy Use

Keeping your vents closed won’t help you save energy. A closed vent can upset your HVAC system’s air flow balance, making it work harder than usual to provide the same heating performance at the cost of higher energy consumption.

Myth #3: Raising Your Thermostat Heats Your Home Faster

Contrary to popular belief, raising your thermostat to its maximum setting won’t heat your home any faster. However, it will burn unnecessary energy and make your home uncomfortably hot.

Myth #4: Turning Off Your Electronics is Enough to Save Power

Many of today’s appliances use small amounts of power for “standby” purposes as long as they’re plugged in. As a result, you’re better off unplugging your electronics if you want to save.

Myth #5: Using Your Fireplace Saves Energy

Whenever you’re using your fireplace, you’ll have to leave the damper open to vent toxic gases outdoors. Although the room you’re in remains toasty, overall temperatures throughout your home can drop as a result.

Myth #6: Replacing Your Windows Cuts Your Energy Costs

Here’s an energy-saving myth that’s partially right. While replacing your drafty windows with energy-efficient windows can cut energy costs, the expense involved in replacing them means you won’t break even until years later.

Contact us at Air Assurance to learn about these and other energy-saving myths. We proudly provide heating and cooling services to Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Ribah/Shutterstock”

Consider Installing Ductless Mini Splits in Your Home

A central HVAC system is the most common way to keep a home comfortable year-round, but it’s not always feasible, especially in older homes without pre-existing ductwork. A ductless mini split system could be a solution to this problem, offering unparalleled flexibility and efficiency.

How Ductless Systems Keep Your Home Warm

A ductless mini split system uses the same technology that makes it possible for central HVAC systems to provide reliable warmth to your living spaces. Ductless heat pumps pull latent heat from outdoor air and transfer that heat into your home.Ductless heat pumps can also be paired with radiant panels, hydronic and other supplemental heating systems for those periods when temperatures drop below freezing.

Reasons to Consider Installing One

Ductless systems are ideal in cases where installing a duct system for a central HVAC system would either be cost prohibitive or simply impossible. Older homes and small apartments can definitely benefit from having a ductless system installed, since there’s no ductwork needed.

Ductless systems also offer better security than window-mounted air conditioner units. Instead of having an A/C unit occupy an entire window, a ductless air handler only needs a small hole for its plumbing to pass through. This removes a rather common entry point for burglars.Last but not least, most ductless heating and cooling systems are easier and less expensive to install than a traditional central HVAC system. Ductless systems also use less energy, translating into big savings for homeowners.

To learn more about installing a ductless system in your home, contact Air Assurance. We've served the Broken Arrow area for 30 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Gladskikh Tatiana/Shutterstock”