Have you ever seen the show MythBusters? This show took on common myths, putting everything to the test—from finding a needle in a haystack (as hard as you’d think, as it turns out) to whether Indiana Jones could really outrun a dart gun like he did in Raiders of the Lost Ark (plausible, believe it or not).

While you won’t see us tackling some of the crazier myths from that early-2000s show, we are going to address some of the most common myths surrounding heating your apartment in the winter. There are a lot of misconceptions out there, from myths about saving energy to myths about weatherization costing a fortune.

In this article, we’ll tackle some of the biggest myths about keeping your apartment warm in the winter.

MYTH 1: I should turn my heat off when I leave for the day.

We hear this one every year, and we can’t blame people for thinking it! After all, if you’re not home, who are you warming up? Your pets have fur, and you’re away at school or the office. While it seems like turning your heat off when you leave would save money, it actually doesn’t make much of a difference.

The best way to save money during the winter is to leave your heat on at a consistent, lower temperature. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to ten percent a year by setting your thermostat back seven to ten degrees Fahrenheit for at least eight hours a day. Note: you shouldn’t lower your thermostat below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, if you usually keep your heat at 70º, you could lower it to 60º (the minimum) throughout the day. After leaving for eight hours and coming home, you can return it to your preferred temperature. For the record, you can follow this same strategy when cooling your apartment in the summer.

Essentially, the rate at which your unit loses heat is related to the temperature difference between inside and outside. If your home is a bit cooler compared to the outdoors, that difference decreases—thus saving you energy. A cooler home in the winter requires less overall energy to maintain.

MYTH 2: Closing vents in unused rooms will save me money.

For those with central air, you may have heard this misconception before. Generally, closing the vents in rooms you aren’t using is a bad idea. You might be doing this while you go to work or school, thinking it prevents energy from being overused.

In reality, closing vents strains your HVAC system. Your system is designed for a certain amount of airflow throughout your home. Closing vents increases pressure in the ductwork, which forces the blower motor to work harder against that added resistance. This extra strain shortens your system’s lifespan and can even lead to costly repairs and inconvenience.

Other disadvantages of shutting vents in unused rooms include:

• It doesn’t save energy. The system uses even more energy, even though it’s pushing the same volume of air.
• It causes uneven temperatures. Closing vents disrupts your temperature balance, creating hot and cold spots throughout your home.

Bottom line? Let the air flow naturally. Keep vents open even in rooms you don’t use often. This saves energy—and it also protects your HVAC system.

MYTH 3: Weatherization requires expensive materials.

“Weatherization” is a term that might bring to mind industrial fixes or hiring professionals. That couldn’t be further from the truth. All you need to do is go to the store—or even shop online—for low-cost, effective materials that can weatherize your unit. And the savings can be significant: according to our friends at the Department of Energy, you can save as much as $283 a year by weatherizing your space.

Weatherization simply means modifying your indoor space (in a non-permanent way, for renters) to protect it from outdoor elements like wind, sun, precipitation, and extreme temperatures. Here are some easy, affordable options for weatherizing your apartment:

• Insulated curtains. These curtains cost between $20 and $70 on Amazon, depending on size, material, and more. Made of thick materials, they help counter the fact that up to 30% of your home’s heating is lost through windows. Whether you own a mansion or rent a studio, these curtains can lower energy costs.
• Draft blockers. Door drafts can be a major source of heat loss, and draft blockers—which cost around $10 to $15 on Amazon—can make a big difference. Using an under-door draft blocker keeps warm air from escaping into the hallway, helping your space stay comfortable and energy-efficient.
• Thick rugs. If you have thick rugs in your apartment, consider redistributing them to areas with hardwood or vinyl flooring. Rugs act as an insulation barrier by trapping air in their fibers, preventing heat from escaping into cold floors. This keeps rooms warmer and reduces how hard your HVAC system needs to work. Thick, high-pile, or wool rugs offer the best insulation.

Winter can be tough, but keeping your home warm doesn’t have to be. With the right information and a few easy habits, you can stay cozy without overspending or overworking your heating system.