Heating Myths Debunked: What Every Texas Homeowner Needs to Know This Winter

When the Texas chill rolls in and temperatures drop, your heating system becomes the most important part of your home. However, there is a lot of misinformation floating around about how to stay warm efficiently. Following the wrong advice won’t just leave you chilly—it can lead to skyrocketing energy bills and unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC system.

At Malek Service Company, we’ve been keeping Central Texas comfortable for over 30 years. Today, we’re setting the record straight. Here are the biggest winter heating myths debunked.

Myth 1: Cranking the Thermostat Heats the House Faster

The Reality: Many people believe that if they set the thermostat to 80 the house will reach their desired 72 more quickly.

In reality, your furnace or heat pump works at one steady speed. Setting the temperature higher doesn’t make the air come out hotter or faster; it simply keeps the system running longer until it reaches that unnecessarily high temperature. This results in “overshooting” your comfort zone and wasting a significant amount of energy.

Myth 2: Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Saves Energy

The Reality: This is one of the most persistent myths in the industry. It seems logical: why heat a room you aren’t using?

However, modern HVAC systems are designed to operate with a specific amount of air pressure. When you close vents, you disrupt that pressure balance. This can actually cause the system to work harder, potentially leading to:

• Leaky ducts: Increased pressure can force air out of small cracks in your ductwork.
• Heat exchanger damage: Restricted airflow can cause the system to overheat.
• Reduced efficiency: Your blower motor may burn out prematurely trying to fight the backpressure.

Myth 3: You Should Turn the Heat Off When You Leave the House

The Reality: While you should definitely lower the temperature when you’re away, turning it off completely is a mistake.

When your home’s internal temperature drops significantly, every object inside—walls, furniture, floors—loses heat. When you return and flip the heat back on, your system has to work overtime for hours just to warm up the physical structure of the house again. Instead, aim for a 5 to 7-degree drop while you’re out. This saves money without making your furnace struggle to recover.

Myth 4: A Bigger Furnace is Always Better

The Reality: When it comes to HVAC, size matters — but bigger isn’t always better. An oversized unit will “short cycle,” meaning it turns on and off rapidly. This prevents the home from heating evenly, leaves pockets of cold air, and puts massive strain on the electrical components.

As a Carrier President’s Award winner, we focus on “Right-Sizing.” We calculate the exact needs of your square footage to ensure peak efficiency.

 

Myth 5: Maintenance is Only Necessary if the System Breaks

The Reality: Waiting for a breakdown is the most expensive way to manage your home. Most winter “no-heat” calls are caused by dirt, debris, or small electrical issues that could have been caught during a routine inspection.

Regular maintenance doesn’t just prevent breakdowns; it:

• Maintains your manufacturer’s warranty.
• Ensures your system is operating safely (checking for carbon monoxide leaks).
• Extends the total lifespan of your equipment.

Stay Warm the Right Way with Malek

Don’t let myths dictate your winter comfort. Whether you need a precision tune-up or a system upgrade, your experts at Malek Service Company are here to provide honest, award-winning service.

Our Total Protection Plan members enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their systems are myth-free and peak-performance ready.

 

Ready to optimize your home for the cold?

About Malek Service Company

At Malek Service Company, we’ve proudly met the needs of residential and commercial customers throughout Texas for more than 30 years. As a locally owned and operated business, we’ve built our reputation as an air conditioning, heating, and plumbing company dedicated to making a difference in your life. Our team takes pride in delivering the best customer service from start to finish, and we look forward to earning your business.