You may have heard that closing off rooms to conserve energy helps lower your heating bills. This was true at one time, when furnace technology was relatively simple and houses were not well insulated or sealed.
Modern forced-air heating systems are more efficient at heating today’s modern homes, as well as being far more complex. Your modern furnace and its ductwork system likely have been sized to heat the cubic footage and layout of your home. Closing off rooms to conserve energy puts more stress on the furnace because it restricts airflow and builds up unnecessary pressure in the system. This can damage the furnace as well as the ductwork supplying heat to other rooms.
Also, unheated rooms may suffer damage from moisture building up and freezing. Moisture can encourage the growth of mildew on furniture, woodwork and walls in unheated rooms.
- Check attic insulation levels to be sure they’re adequate
- Keep your warm air inside with caulk and weatherstripping
- Set your thermostat a few degrees lower, or get a programmable thermostat to make this tip easier
The best way to save money on heating is to call an HVAC specialist and have your system inspected. If your furnace isn’t putting out enough heat, it may need repair or replacement with an energy-saving, more efficient system.
At Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve been serving the Twin Cities Metro Area for over 30 years. Contact us today for a pre-season furnace check or for information about energy-saving heating systems.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about saving energy and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock