The HVAC system is one of the most complicated systems in the home — but it’s also a great convenience for many homes. However, the internet is full of many false claims about air conditioners.
While most of these air conditioning myths are harmless, some can cost you money. Therefore, be aware of the facts before making any financial decisions that could burn a hole in your pocket.
The following are some of the most common myths associated with air conditioners.
Bigger AC Units Yield Better Results
A bigger AC unit costs more and comes with higher operational costs. A bigger AC brings your room temperature to the thermostat setting quickly within a short time. However, an AC that runs on short cycles does not effectively cool down your home. As a result, some areas of the house may be cooler than others because of inadequate air circulation.
An AC operates at peak efficiency in a couple of minutes after starting up. While a bigger AC may run for fewer minutes, starting the compressor from scratch requires a lot of energy. What’s more, the rapid on-off cycles result in more wear and tear on your AC unit.
Short cycles are also responsible for ineffective dehumidifying. Removing moisture from the atmosphere requires long run times. If your AC shuts down faster than required, this can leave your home very uncomfortable and support mold and mildew growth on your walls.
Ensure the contractor uses the Manual J formula to find the proper AC size for your house.
A Thermostat’s Position Does Not Matter
The thermostat’s placement affects your air conditioning system’s efficiency and performance. Therefore, keeping your thermostat away from heat and a cooling source is always recommended.
Ideally, place the thermostat in a central area of your home where you have free air circulation to accurately read your home’s temperature.
A properly installed thermostat can maintain a controlled environment in your home. By incorrectly placing a thermostat, you can waste energy and spend more money than you need by overcooling or overheating your home.
Vents Need Closing in Unused Rooms
You only create more problems by closing air vents in rooms where the air conditioner is not necessary. Your air ducts will experience unwanted pressure when you close the vents in certain rooms because the air distribution is out of balance. Therefore, your air conditioning unit has to work harder to distribute air where needed.
Additionally, mold and mildew growth, carbon monoxide leaks, and duct leaks may occur.
Therefore, closing an air vent can cause AC damage and increase energy use. As a result, you could spend more money on bills and repairs instead of saving money.
Maintenance Isn’t Necessary
Many homeowners trust that you shouldn’t fix an AC that isn’t broken and often disregard annual maintenance. While your AC may run without maintenance, it can result in higher utility bills and poor air quality.
Cooling costs account for 16% of a home’s energy consumption. A poorly maintained AC will often have trouble cooling your home and, as a result, will have to run extra hard for long hours. Consequently, you will have higher utility bills to settle at the end of the month.
While keeping your house cool, your HVAC unit traps pollen, bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. Replacing the air filter reduces the airborne pollutants harmful to anyone with respiratory health issues.
At the minimum, have your HVAC unit services at least once a year for optimal performance.
While many homeowners don’t have experience with HVAC, a quick web search can help you find the information necessary to answer your questions. In reality, however, believing some online information without any logical explanation is not wise. With the above myths debunked, you can now adapt your home cooling methods to be more energy-efficient and cost-effective.
Call us today or contact us online to inquire about your HVAC or to set up a consultation.
