Of course you want to save money on heating bills in your Eastman, Georgia, home this winter. There are many who believe that closing the air vents in unoccupied rooms will save energy and, therefore, money. However, this reasoning is flawed, and may actually be counterproductive.
Why People Do It
It is typical to see an increase energy bills during the winter when the demand for heat is constant. To save money, many will close off the vents in rooms that are used infrequently or not at all. In theory, it would seem as if your home would use less energy since all the air is being directed toward fewer rooms. In turn, you should see a savings on your energy bill. However, this is not the case.
Myth-Busting
Unfortunately, that is not how your heating and cooling system works. HVAC systems are designed to blow air evenly throughout the home. Your system will actually attempt to push more air through if closed air vents are blocking the air from blowing through the entire home. Instead of using less energy, the system may actually use more energy to try and blow air through the entire home. The resulting buildup of pressure can also cause damage.
Real Energy Savers
Fortunately, there are many simple and expensive ways you can save energy that are actually very effective. Install a programmable thermostat, and set the temperature for less heating when you are away from home especially for extended periods. If you tend to mainly occupy just one or two rooms in your home, consider a space heater for those rooms, and keep the heating system lowered for the house. You can also keep the window shades open during the day to use the sun to warm the house naturally, and use heavy window curtains to help to reduce heat loss at night. Regular maintenance for your HVAC system will also keep it running efficiently, so you save energy and money.
Call Pruett Air Conditioning at 478-374-1481 in Eastman to speak to an expert, and find more ways you can save energy on your heating bills this winter.
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