Whether you’re a homeowner trying to keep cool during the summer months or a business owner managing a large commercial space, you’ve probably heard your fair share of advice and opinions on keeping your air conditioning system running smoothly. But how do you separate fact from fiction? In this article, we’ll be busting common air conditioning service myths and setting the record straight on what you need to know to keep your system running efficiently and effectively.
Myth 1: Air Conditioners Consume a Lot of Energy
One widespread myth regarding air conditioners is that they consume a lot of energy, which raises electricity costs. However, below are some measures to lessen energy consumption and lower monthly utility costs.
Use a Smart Thermostat
The best way to maximize efficiency is to ensure the air conditioner is turned on only when necessary and the temperature is comfortable. The best way to do this is to have an AC service provider install a smart thermostat in your home. You can save money by programming your thermostat to turn off the air conditioning when no one is around. Some thermostats can memorize your routine and adjust themselves accordingly. If you forget to set your smart thermostat before leaving for the day, you can always adjust the temperature from your phone.
Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
Energy savings can also be achieved by having an AC service specialist install a new, more efficient system. Since they are made to be so much more energy-efficient than earlier versions, modern units require less energy to cool your house. Before you install a new energy-efficient conditioner, consider having an AC service expert determine your cooling needs.
Insulation
If you allow all the cool air to escape, your energy-efficient air conditioner won’t be able to do its job as well. If you can’t afford to replace your air conditioner just yet, adding insulation is another option to reduce energy costs. Some of the most crucial places an AC service professional will focus on include the ductwork, piping, and outlets.
Regular Maintenance
If you want your air conditioner to use as little energy as possible, having regular maintenance performed by an air conditioning service professional is essential. As part of routine maintenance, the technician will check for the following:
- The thermostat’s precision
- Refrigerant leakage
- Blocked ducts and filters
- Electrical faults
- Blocked drain channel
These factors can impact your air conditioner’s efficiency, increasing energy bills.
Myth 2: Your Filter Only Needs to Be Changed Once a Year
Air filters aren’t a one-size-fits-all item; even if they were, every home has unique requirements. The lifespan of your filter depends on several factors, including the thickness and efficiency of the filter, how often you use your HVAC system, and the makeup of the air within your home. Households with allergy sufferers, indoor pets, or smokers should change their filters more regularly than others.
You shouldn’t let your filter sit for an entire year, as doing so will clog it, causing your system to work harder than necessary and increasing the risk of problems and energy waste. Instead, make it a habit to check the filter once a month and change it if it’s dirty. Ensure you schedule regular AC service visits to ensure your system is in tip-top shape.
Myth 3: Bigger is Always Better
Many things are better the bigger they are, but AC units are not one of them. A home’s air conditioner needs to be proportional to its size. If your HVAC system is too small, you may need to keep the thermostat at its lowest setting, even when the temperature outside is comfortably cold, to meet your basic cooling demands. You’ll have to pay extra for AC service visits and higher energy bills.
If your home’s AC unit is too large for the space, it will cycle on and off frequently to avoid overcooling the house. More energy will be used up due to the constant starting and stopping. For this reason, professional HVAC technicians will not propose a specific unit until they have first determined the home’s square footage. You should have your AC service provider double-check the sizing of your air conditioner after making significant alterations to your home, such as an addition or an attic conversion.
Myth 4: DIY Repairs are the Way to Go
DIY AC repair is never the way to go. Like all technological devices, air conditioners require electricity to function. And you aren’t qualified to deal with something as intricate as an air conditioner. Attempting repairs alone or hiring an inexperienced professional could result in more harm than good. It could lead to more time and money spent in the long run.
Below are some of the dangers of DIY AC repairs.
You Risk Your Safety
DIY AC repair can be dangerous. Air conditioning service professionals have been trained to recognize and prevent many of the hazards involved with HVAC systems. If you attempt to fix your air conditioner on your own, you put yourself at risk of injury, carbon monoxide leaks, poor indoor air quality, electrical fires, broken gas lines, and more.
To function, the many parts of an air conditioner must work together flawlessly. If you try a DIY repair, the system as a whole could be short-circuited because some sections of the machine stay energized even after the power is turned off. What’s more, you risk severely injuring yourself if you try to do so.
You Risk Voiding Your Warranty
DIY repairs are one of the ways a homeowner can void their air conditioner’s warranty. Most manufacturers of such systems insist that only certified personnel install, maintain, and repair their products. If you choose to perform maintenance or repairs on your HVAC system, you can expect to pay full price for any necessary repairs should something go wrong.
You Risk Damaging Your AC
A DIY fix may get the HVAC system running again, but it may not function efficiently. Setting the thermostat properly or ensuring enough ventilation and drainage are easy tasks to botch unless you’re an air conditioning service professional.
Myth 5: AC Maintenance Is Not Necessary Until Something Breaks
If you believe this myth, you could seriously damage your HVAC system. AC units should be serviced at least once a year. Below are some of the benefits of regular AC maintenance.
Your AC Unit Will Need Fewer Repairs
Regular HVAC maintenance can help reduce the need for costly repairs. Why? A trained air conditioning service technician will be able to identify problems before they become catastrophic. Also, by having the system checked, any worn-out components will be replaced before they cause any issues. The technician will change your air filter if it is the cause of the problem. They will examine the wiring and lubricate any moving parts that require it.
They will also check the evaporator coils and the condensate drain. In a nutshell, they’ll check to see that your air conditioner is in tip-top shape before the summer heat sets in.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Regular air conditioning service visits will keep your AC unit functioning efficiently and reduce monthly energy costs. Without regular servicing, your air conditioner must work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, increasing energy consumption and monthly utility costs. The United States Department of Energy estimates that regular maintenance and upgrades can reduce AC cooling expenses by up to 30%. That’s a sizeable fraction that can quickly add up, so it’s in your best interest to perform routine maintenance on your air conditioner to keep it in top shape.
Regular Maintenance Can Extend the Lifespan of Your AC Unit
Regular maintenance will keep your AC unit functioning more efficiently and for longer. Lack of maintenance leads to dust and dirt accumulation inside the system, leading to the compressor overheating. This may necessitate extensive and pricey repairs or possibly a complete AC replacement.
By keeping up with routine maintenance, you can keep these issues from getting worse and extend the life of your air conditioning system. A poorly maintained air conditioner lasts only about ten years, but a well-managed one lasts up to twenty. One air conditioner installation with regular preventative maintenance is more cost-effective than four installations.
Regular Maintenance is Good for Your Safety
Regular maintenance is the best way to ensure your AC unit operates safely and efficiently. Maintenance lowers the chance of fire or other hazards by eliminating waste, taking care of water damage, and replacing faulty electrical connections that may result in major and dangerous issues. Water leaks can cause mold and mildew, which can cause respiratory problems, and electrical fires can spread rapidly. Aside from reducing air quality inside your home, a buildup of dust and debris in your ducts and vents poses a fire hazard.
Improved Comfort
Avoiding a breakdown during the summer heat is another compelling argument in favor of routine AC maintenance. The worst possible situation for homeowners is a broken air conditioner that leaves them sweltering in the heat. The last thing any homeowner wants during summer is for their family to fall victim to heat exhaustion. Preventing an unexpected breakdown with regular air conditioning service is a good idea.
Better Indoor Air Quality
If you are unsure whether your AC system is cleaning the air in your house, all you need to do is open the front panel and inspect the filter. If it’s not brand new or hasn’t been cleaned in a while, the filter will likely be clogged with dust. When a filter becomes clogged with dust, it can no longer effectively clean the air that travels through it.
Maintaining your filter regularly keeps it operating at peak efficiency. This not only improves the health of those within by reducing the buildup of dust and debris, but it also improves indoor air quality.
Myth 6: AC Units Should Always Be Set to the Lowest Temperature
An AC Unit functions by either turning on or off. An HVAC system with a thermostat can be programmed to heat or cool a home to the exact levels the homeowner specifies. Despite popular perception, lowering the thermostat to extremely low levels on hot days will merely cause the air conditioner to run for far longer than necessary. The average temperature drop that can be attained using an air conditioner is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius). That is to say, AC units are not designed to cool a room until it is unbearably chilly. Instead, they can achieve a target temperature reduction from a given initial value. If it’s 95 degrees outside, they can cool the house to about 75 degrees. Thus, AC service professionals recommend homeowners set their units to a comfortable temperature and allow them to maintain that temperature.
Myth 7: Closing Off Vacant Rooms Reduces Energy Usage
Some homeowners think they can save money on cooling costs if they seal off rooms that aren’t being utilized and only cool the ones that are. But that’s not how it works at all.
Because your air conditioner is intended to coo