When it comes to the cold and wintertime, there are a handful of “common sense” ideas that Pennsylvanians hold onto that aren’t actually true. While we believe people mean well when they share these tips, unfortunately, the advice isn’t always sound and can sometimes even hurt more than it helps.
We’ve decided to gather five of the most common winter weather myths that you’re bound to hear at some point or another this year.
Myth 1: Cranking Up Your Thermostat Heats Your Home Faster
You wake up one morning to realize the temperatures have really shifted overnight, and now your entire house is cold. You decide to turn on the heat and crank the thermostat up to 85 degrees thinking this will cause the house to warm faster, and when it’s warm enough you’ll turn the temperature back down.
While it “makes sense”, the truth is that heating systems do not work this way. The temperature you set your thermostat at does not dictate the temperature inside your home furnace. Your home furnace operates at the same high temperature and stays on until the air temperature inside your home matches the thermostat.
This means that you’ll waste more energy running your furnace for longer than necessary if you set your thermostat at a higher temperature for “speed”. If your home is cold because you haven’t turned on the heat, set the thermostat to your ideal temperature and then switch on your heat.
While you wait for the house to warm up you can put on additional layers like a knit hat, or wool socks, and also switch the orientation on any of your ceiling fans to clockwise. Running ceiling fans clockwise on the low setting will gently circulate the warmer air at your ceiling back throughout the room.
Myth 2: Closing Vents and Doors in Unused Rooms Saves Energy
This is a common myth that still perpetuates through older homes in the Susquehanna Valley. On the surface, the idea is that the closed vents and doors will help to push more of the warm air to the most used and lived-in rooms.
In reality, modern heating systems are designed to distribute air evenly, so closing vents can cause a build up in air pressure. This pressure may cause some of the hot air to escape into unconditioned spaces like your basement or attic, as well as force your furnace to work harder and less efficiently. In rare cases it can even damage the heat exchanger! If you’re concerned your furnace or heat exchanger may already be damaged, schedule an appointment with our team.
It’s best to start your heating system with all of your vents open and let your house get to temperature. If you’re finding trouble with cool spots afterwards, there are potential upgrades you can consider like a smart thermostat or small space heater.
Myth 3: It Can Be “Too Cold” to Snow
When the temperature in Pennsylvania gets close to zero degrees you may here some folks comment that it’s “too cold to snow”. While there is some science in this thinking, it’s not totally true and shouldn’t be relied on for travel plans.
Snow requires more than cold temperatures, it requires moisture in the air, and “lift” essentially warm air rising into the atmosphere. When temperatures are closer to zero, there’s less moisture in the air, but the real reason that snow is less likely is because the air is a dry and stable air mass with little temperature fluctuations.
Myth 4: Hot Water Can Defrost Your Windshield Faster
We don’t care if someone on TikTok said it’s safe.
We’re telling you, do not, under any circumstances, pour boiling or even very hot water onto your car windshield or windows in the winter in order to defrost them faster.
Pouring hot water over frozen glass puts a huge thermal stress on your windshield that stress causes the glass to expand and contract unpredictably which can lead to it cracking and even shattering. If you’re doing it because you’re late for work, we promise you’ll be even later trying to drive with a cracked windshield or needing to find a ride.
You should only ever use your car’s built-in defrosting system or hand scrapers to remove frost and ice from your windshield.
Myth 5: You Lose Most of Your Body Heat Through Your Head
We were even surprised to hear this one is a myth, but the truth is, you don’t lose “most of your body heat” through your head when you’re out in the cold. Heat loss from your head is proportional to its surface area, so you typically lose about 7-10% of your total body heat through your head.
It’s still a good idea to wear a hat in the winter, but leaving your hands, neck, or chest uncovered in the winter will cause significantly more heat loss overall.
Myths Busted, But You’re Still Cold?
If you’ve busted all these myths and you’re still experiencing cold drafts or a furnace that can’t keep up with your family’s winter needs? Request an estimate today. Our professionals will come out at a time that’s convenient for you, evaluate your system, and let you know what your best option for heat this winter is.
