The HVAC contractors or specialists commonly hear that when humidity turns the heat, you and your home feel uncomfortable. And you might be thinking it is time to set your AC thermostat at the lowest level, buy the most significant unit available, or close off vents to save energy and money.
But if this is true, why does energy.gov say to keep your house warmer than average when you are away and set the thermostat to 78o F only when you are at home and need cooling? It takes less energy to maintain a constant temperature instead of trying to bring it down quickly.
This fact may be a wake-up call to homeowners who must stop believing in the standard air conditioning misconceptions and save their hard-earned money. Here, we explore the air conditioning’s most significant myths and offer ways to save money without costing you comfort and meeting your cooling needs.
-
Home will cool faster by turning your thermostat way down.
Cooling a room or your home will always be a matter of time. Using a programmable thermostat may help with temperature variations. Even if you set the thermostat at the lowest possible setting, your AC unit will continue to run at the same pace. You could increase the temperature when you are not home by a few degrees and adjust the temperature before you return. This will help avoid the drastic increase or decrease in temperature.
The experienced HVAC contractors recommend adjusting the thermostat temperature according to your habits, preferences, and outside temperature. The closer your thermostat setting is to the outside temperature, the more you save.
If you have a window unit, you probably have low, medium, and high settings. However, there is an exception to every rule. Naturally, using the highest setting will cool things off faster, but do not forget to adjust it when you get to your perfect temperature.
-
Bigger AC units perform better and give better results
An AC unit whose capacity is too big for the space it is supposed to cool will force its compressor to turn itself on and off quickly, which wears it out, shortens its life, and uses a lot of electricity.
Choosing an AC size that is too large forces your unit to run continuously in short bursts, which causes it to burn out faster.
On the opposite side, choosing an AC size that is too small wastes a lot of energy and money. This is because the AC is always running to try to cool the home, even though it will never be able to do so correctly.
Choosing the right AC size is the most promising way to save money on your energy bill.
-
Turning off the AC when you are not home will save energy
This tactic is only valid for extended periods. If you turn off the AC before going to work on a hot summer day and turn it back on when you get home, your AC has to work harder to cool the home. It is better to turn the thermostat up several degrees than off.
HVAC contractors or AC repair professionals suggest turning the set temperature up seven to ten degrees while you are away for the day. Turning up the thermostat is better because it protects your home from mold, saves money, and keeps you comfortable.
-
Air conditioning can be the cause of summer cold
A virus, not a temperature, causes a cold. To become sick, you must be exposed to germs, bacteria, and viruses. You could be experiencing allergies or an asthma-related symptom. Your HVAC has an impact on your indoor air quality. Airborne illnesses could be a result of a dirty air conditioner.
While anecdotal proof may lead to you believing the air conditioner can make you sick, the science is precise: There is no reason to think it is behind your midyear cold.
-
Air filters do not have to be replaced.
Air filters accumulate dust, mold, and other dirt particles. This causes poor airflow, which forces your AC unit to work harder. This results in more substantial electricity use and higher utility bills. A clean filter effectively removes airborne particulates, ranging from dust to invisible microscopic particles. A dirty filter, however, can worsen indoor air quality by acting as a reservoir for dirt, dust, and other airborne contaminants that are continuously circulated back into your breathing air.
Change the air filters according to the recommendations of the HVAC contractors. Choose quality pleated fabric filters rated to trap airborne particles down to a size of three microns.
Conclusion
The most common myth about air conditioning is that if your home is warm, you should lower the thermostat as much as possible to cool your house quickly. But that is not how air conditioners work. So that myth is busted!
Thermostats can help make your home comfortable and work with your HVAC units. One more misconception we hear is that seasonal maintenance and tune-ups are unnecessary. New seasons require different heating or cooling needs.
Keeping your air conditioning system running smoothly and efficiently necessitates proper, consistent maintenance and service needs.
If you are looking for a professional and reliable service provider for air conditioning preventive maintenance, feel free to get in touch with Rod’s Cooling & Heating LLC. We are just a phone call away – 316 776 4088!
