8 HVAC Myths And Realities

You probably want the most out of your HVAC unit whether it is a long winter’s night or the dog days of a Bay Area summer. There are several air conditioning tricks and myths that have infiltrated homes everywhere. While some of them are useful, most can harm your system. These are a few myths and realities from reputable sources that will lower energy consumption and keep your system running efficiently.

Myth 1: Air filters don’t need frequent changing

Reality: Air filters need to be changed on a regular basis or your unit may not run as efficiently as before.

Myth 2: Your home can be cooled faster by turning the thermostat all the way down

Reality: The thermostat is not a magic wand. It cannot lower the temperature any quicker or make the air conditioner work any faster. The thermostat is only a regulating switch that instructs the system to turn on or off depending on the temperature you want maintained in the room.

Myth 3: You can save money by closing vents in a room

Reality: Closing vents doesn’t help you save money. In fact, it will probably cause problems down the road. The system is thrown off balance when you close vents. It re-routes the air to other parts of the home, which can cause pressure build-up within the ductwork.

Myth 4: You don’t need routine maintenance

Reality: This myth may cost you the HVAC system. Your AC runs on the same principles as a car and needs frequent and regular tuning to maintain efficiency and long life. You need to make sure that the HVAC unit is maintained and repaired on time if you don’t want the little problems to turn into major ones.

Myth 5: Bigger units are better

Reality: Bigger systems may cycle on and off more frequently. This can cause the system to work harder, which may shorten its lifespan. Homeowners think that larger systems tend to work better. However, just because a system is working harder doesn’t necessarily equate to working smarter.

Myth 6: You can reduce utility bills by installing an energy efficient unit

Reality: Yes, energy efficient units can help you control the energy consumed by the system. Correlating with this, that is not the only factor that comes into play. Energy efficiency will not really help if you have drafts in the house or a leaky ductwork that loses all the conditioned air.

Myth 7: It is cheaper to leave a unit running than turn it off

Reality: You are wrong if you assume that leaving a system running with the thermostat turned on high is cheaper than shutting down the unit when you go doe the day. It doesn’t cost extra when you turn on or off a system. You would save more money if you turn off the unit completely.

Myth 8: Fan does the same job as an AC

Reality: Fans are not air conditioners. They are not designed for cooling air. Fans can only circulate air within a space. The fan may make you feel comfortable by moving air on your skin. Moreover, it won't actually lower the temperature in the room. You may risk suffering from heatstroke if it is a particularly hot day and all you have is a fan.