10 Air Conditioning Myths That May Cost You More Money

Your air conditioner works hard to keep you cool, especially during the summer heat. Unfortunately, many people believe several air conditioning myths, costing them money. Let’s get to the bottom of these myths to help you make informed choices when running your air conditioner this summer in Roanoke.

Myth 1: Your AC Unit’s Size Doesn’t Matter

One of the main misconceptions is that size doesn’t matter or a bigger AC is always better. The fact is an extremely large unit can’t properly remove humidity from the indoor air because it cycles on and off very fast. This short cycling, in turn, causes more expensive energy costs.

Conversely, a small unit must work harder to cool a huge space, resulting in trouble getting your home as cool as you like, avoidable wear and tear and a shortened life span for your unit. For these reasons, you should always consider your home’s square footage and other factors that impact the ideal AC unit size.

Myth 2: Cranking Down the Temperature Cools Your Home Faster

Surprisingly, setting your thermostat to a lower temperature doesn’t cool your home a lot faster. Your AC works at the same speed no matter what and will reach each progressively lower temperature in the same amount of time, irrespective of how low you set the thermostat. There’s no advantage to selecting an unnecessarily low setting, which only causes higher energy bills and decreased comfort.

Myth 3: Raising the Temperature While You’re Away Costs More Than Keeping It Steady

The thinking that it’s less costly to keep a consistent temperature all day is a myth. Actually, setting your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher when you’re not home for eight hours a day can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. This is because your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a warmer temperature. Modern programmable thermostats automate this process, adjusting the temperature after you leave and before you return home to increase savings without losing comfort.

Myth 4: Running the Ceiling Fans 24/7 Keeps the House Cooler

Ceiling fans make it seem like a room is cooler, but they don’t truly decrease the temperature. Actually, they work by blowing air across your skin, creating a wind chill effect. Therefore, even though ceiling fans only cost pennies to operate, leaving them running in empty rooms loses needless energy. Use ceiling fans in occupied spaces to enhance comfort, but keep in mind you should always turn them off when you leave.

Myth 5: It Doesn’t Matter Where You Install the Thermostat

Contrary to popular belief, the place in your home where you install the thermostat can substantially affect cooling efficiency. Placing it near heat sources like windows, lamps and appliances can result in false readings, making your AC work harder than required. The most useful location for the thermostat is a central location away from direct light and heat. You might even consider zoning your home with numerous thermostats for optimal comfort and energy savings.

Myth 6: It’s Fine to Only Change the Air Filter Once a Year

While some high-end media filters last up to a year, nearly all standard air filters ought to be replaced every 30-90 days. Plugged filters restrict airflow, forcing your AC to work harder and use more electricity. Conversely, regular filter changes prolong the life of your unit and protect efficiency.

Myth 7: Professional AC Maintenance Isn’t Important

Like any other home appliance, your air conditioner requires regular maintenance to promote optimal performance and longevity. Neglecting this can lead to undetected issues, causing inopportune breakdowns, costly repairs and premature replacements.

Myth 8: You Should Run Your AC Until It Dies

You may hear this tip about cars, but it isn't true when you're talking about air conditioners. About 10 years after installation, AC units often have a drastic reduction in energy efficiency. While routine maintenance and proactive repairs can extend your system’s life span, you shouldn’t wait for a complete breakdown to upgrade to a new unit. Planning an AC replacement is more convenient and lets you tap into the next generation of features and performance improvements.

Myth 9: It Doesn’t Matter What HVAC Contractor You Hire

Hiring a contractor without doing your research could be a costly error. Always check the contractor’s certifications, guarantees and reviews to make sure you’ve found a business with the experience and skills to provide dependable service.

Myth 10: Working with a Small Business Is Always Better

While being a patron of local small businesses is admirable, this doesn’t necessarily mean they offer superior service. Larger, established companies often have more resources and extensive expertise to tackle your needs efficiently.

Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for Outstanding Air Conditioning Service in Roanoke

Now that you realize the importance of educating yourself and only hiring a reliable HVAC professional, you can feel good about contacting Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide exceptional HVAC services in Roanoke and surrounding neighborhoods. Our commitment to industry-leading customer service, unparalleled expertise and 24-hour availability help us stand out from the rest. Get in touch with the experienced pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today at 540-302-8645 to schedule our reputable services, including AC replacement, repair, maintenance and more!