HVAC News and Know How

There are many myths about ways to save on your heating bills.   Let’s look at the facts to maximize your energy dollar.

1.     Keep your thermostat at a constant temperature.

MYTH:  You can save energy by leaving the house at a comfortable 72 degrees, even when you are sleeping or away at work.

FACT:  You could miss out on potential energy savings by not setting back your thermostat overnight and during the workday.  Lowering the temperature by 10 degrees for eight hours per day can cut your heating bills by 5-15%.  Manitowoc Heating can install and program a programmable thermostat that will setback the temperature for you.

2.     Turn up the temperature to warm up the house

MYTH:  You come home to a cold house.  To warm it up, you turn up the thermostat to 78 degrees to get the furnace working harder and faster.

FACT:  No time is saved in reheating the house.  Most furnaces deliver the heat at the same rate no matter what the temperature setting.  The furnace cycles for a longer period to reach a higher temperature.   Just set the temperature at the level you want to achieve and let the furnace do the work!  You’ll be comfy in the same amount of time.

3.     Close off vents in unused rooms

MYTH:  You don’t want to waste energy heating rooms you aren’t using.

FACT:  Closing off vents can make your furnace run inefficiently by changing the air pressure in the whole system.  Experts recommend never shutting off more than 10 percent of your vents.  Sealing your ducts, or installing a zone system are more efficient ways to save energy.

4.     Use the fireplace

MYTH:  A fireplace puts out heat, it must heat my home.

FACT:  An open fireplace flue may suck out more cold air than the fire can radiate into the living space.  Consider an energy efficient fireplace insert so the warm air flows into the room and not up the chimney!

5.     Install an oversized furnace

MYTH:  An oversized furnace will work less hard to heat your home.

FACT:   It’s like buying an 8 cylinder car versus a 6 cylinder.  Both cars will get you to your destination, but the 6 cylinder will use less gas.  Manitowoc Heating will help you find the most efficient system for your home, saving you money on the both the purchase price and your energy costs.

Join us for the 2011 Lakeshore Woman’s Expo at the Manitowoc County Ice Center on Thursday, September 29^th from 3-8:00pm.  Admission is just $5.00.  All proceeds are donated to charity.   Amy Hanten “The Cooking Mom” will be the featured speaker.  Manitowoc Heating employees will be there to answer all of your heating, cooling, and air quality questions.

Free Tickets:  We have 25 free tickets to give away.   Just go to our ManitowocHeating.com website and send us an email via the Contact Us page.  Include the number of tickets you would like and what you would like to learn at our booth.  Possibly, Indoor Air Quality, New Furnaces, or Why is a Clean & Tune important?  We are interested in your ideas.   One week before the Expo we will have a drawing for the tickets.

Heating and cooling equipment is an investment that you expect will serve you for many years. A survey conducted by Contracting Business magazine, found by far the most critical factor that consumers considered when purchasing heating and cooling equipment was choosing a reputable contractor. A reputable contractor will do the following:

• Perform an on-site inspection of the job you want done and perform a heat-load analysis to properly size your equipment needs
• Look for any building code issues and make you aware of any changes that need to be made
• Provide a detailed bid in a timely manner specifying brand name, model number and energy ratings
• Demonstrate to you that they are licensed and insured
• Provide 24 hour emergency service and a large parts inventory
• Have several years of experience as a business in your community—a company that will still be in business if you have future service needs
• Provide you with a written contract outlining the work to be performed, time of installation, and payment terms
• Complete and submit the warranty information on your behalf— at no extra charge