Dispelling 4 myths on how to keep your house warm for the winter.

Winter is coming. We at Innovative Property Solutions wanted to dispel some common myths about saving money and keeping warm.

Myth: Turning off the heat in your home during the day is the best way to conserve energy.

Fact: Don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish, especially if you live in an area with a risk of frozen water pipes. Completely turning off the heat, letting the temperature drop and then reheating your living space could actually be more expensive than lowering the temperature of your home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Keep in mind that repairing burst water pipes and any resulting damage can easily cost thousands of dollars.

The bottom line? You should not turn the heating system totally off if there’s a chance of freezing,
Myth: Using a wood-burning fireplace will reduce your heating bills.

Fact: “Fireplaces are designed primarily as entertainment-oriented appliances. They are not designed for heating large areas,” says Ashley Eldridge, director of education for the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA. “While there are some modern fireplace designs that do heat, most of your heating will come from a central furnace.”
Myth: You have to buy a lot of expensive materials and products to weatherize and insulate your home.

Fact: For renters on a budget, redecorating your home during the winter can be an inexpensive way to insulate your home.

Solution: You probably remembered to switch out summer bedding for heavier sheets, blankets and duvets, but did you forget your windows? “Heavy drapes can indeed help conserve warmth, but make sure drapes don’t block any floor registers, radiators or baseboard heating units — otherwise it could be a fire hazard,” says Sobin. “It’s also a good idea to open drapes, blinds (and) shades on sunny days on the sunny side of the house to get free solar heat.”

If you have ceiling fans, remember to switch to winter mode, says Sherman. When looking up, blades in winter mode (and on a low setting) should be rotating clockwise, pushing hot air that rises back down to the floor.

Myth: Electric blankets waste energy.

Fact: “Electric blankets use very little energy. They are definitely more energy-efficient than the same-weight blanket and a higher room temperature,” says Sherman.

Solution: People can feel cold at different times and at different temperatures. If you or your family members can’t agree on a room temperature, don’t automatically turn to the thermostat to suit everyone’s comfort level. Instead, using an electric blanket may help solve the Goldilocks-like temperature dilemma until everyone feels “just right.”