Debunking Common Air Conditioning Myths

Monday, May 25th, 2020

outdoor-unit-of-an-air-conditionerWhen it comes to your air conditioner, it makes sense that you want to use the system as efficiently as possible. After all, nobody wants to pay more than necessary to keep their homes cool and comfortable.

But there are a number of myths surrounding the operation and maintenance of HVAC systems that actually work against you. Many homeowners believe these myths because they’ve been told they can save money, when in actuality they’re doing harm to their air conditioners.

Read on as we uncover and debunk some of the biggest myths surrounding air conditioners.

Myth #1: A Bigger AC Is Better

You probably already understand why you shouldn’t try to use an air conditioner that’s too small for your home, or underpowered. It simply won’t be able to keep up with your home’s demands and won’t be able to effectively cool the space. But did you know that too large of a system, or an overpowered air conditioner, can be just as detrimental to efficiency?

A system that’s too large for the space it’s in will start going through a process called short-cycling. This is when it turns on and shuts off rapidly, never completing a full cooling cycle. This is a problem for a couple of reasons. First off, you’re never going to achieve the home comfort you desire with a short-cycling system. Secondly, this accelerates the wear and tear on your air conditioner and can lead to premature replacement needs.

Myth #2: Ceiling Fans Lower Temperature

Ceiling fans certainly have their purpose, but they shouldn’t be used in replacement of air conditioners—particularly if you aren’t home to use them. Homeowners often think that they can just leave their ceiling fans on all day instead of their air conditioners, and that will effectively lower the temperature in their homes on mild summer days.

But the fact is, ceiling fans move air. That’s it, that’s their purpose. Leaving them on all day when the home is unoccupied is only using up energy instead of saving it. But if you use your ceiling fans with your air conditioner when you’re home, it will better distribute the air and help you feel cooler, so you can turn the thermostat up a few degrees, and then use your air conditioner more efficiently as a result.

Myth #3: Closing off Vents Saves Money

If you’re at home and you need cooling in one room but not another, it may make sense for you to close off the vent to the room that doesn’t need it. This shouldn’t’ be a problem, right? Well, actually, your air conditioner is not designed for this, and you can be creating an air pressure imbalance that will end up damaging your ductwork.

The right answer to this is having a zone control system with dampers that can get closed off. This can be retrofitted into an older system, but it’s much more convenient to invest in this system with new AC installation. Another option is going ductless, which automatically splits up the indoor air handlers into zones. Contact our team to learn more!

These are just a few of the most common myths we hear regarding AC systems. Folks also often don’t think maintenance is important—but trust us when we say it will help your system perform more efficiently and effectively for the years to come.

Contact us today for expert AC services in Joliet, IL. Comfort First Heating and Cooling, Inc., where we put your comfort first!

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