Thermostat Myths We Hear All the Time in Newmarket
Thermostats are the one part of the HVAC system everybody touches, so everybody has opinions about them. Some of the advice floating around Newmarket homes is fine. Some of it costs money. Here are the myths we hear most often on service calls.
“Turning it way up heats the house faster”
It doesn’t. A furnace delivers heat at one rate (or two, on a two-stage unit), no matter if you set 22°C or 28°C. Setting it higher just means it keeps running past the point you wanted, and you end up too warm.
“Setting it back at night wastes energy because it has to catch up”
For a furnace, a setback saves energy. The house loses less heat when it’s a bit cooler inside, and the recovery in the morning doesn’t cancel that out. Natural Resources Canada’s guidance on programmable thermostats says the same. The exception is a heat pump with electric backup heat: a big setback can trigger the backup strips during recovery. Smart thermostats made for heat pumps handle this with gradual recovery.
“Closing vents in empty rooms saves money”
Usually not. Most duct systems are sized for all the registers being open. Close several and the static pressure goes up, the blower motor works harder, and on some systems the coil can freeze in summer. Shut one or two if a room is too warm, but not half the house.
“The thermostat location doesn’t matter”
It matters a lot. A thermostat next to a sunny window, a kitchen, or a supply register gets fooled, and the rest of the house pays for it. Inside walls, away from drafts and direct sun, work best.
“A smart thermostat works with any system”
Most work with most systems, but not all. Many need a common (C) wire for power, and two-stage furnaces, heat pumps, and humidifiers need the right terminals. We check the wiring before recommending a model.
If you’re thinking about an upgrade, have a look at our smart thermostat installation page, or send us a message with a photo of your current thermostat wiring and we’ll tell you what fits. You can also reach us at 647-657-2977.
