The Definitive Listing of Air Conditioning Myths

Misinformation is all over the place. It’s in our information, it’s in our office, it’s in our day-to-day lives. It may possibly additionally concern our residence and the methods that assist to take care of it.

We will’t sort out all of these issues. However we do know HVAC, and we pleasure ourselves on offering thorough info on a wide range of subjects to our clients.

We’re additionally bored with seeing “delusion” articles that arbitrarily reduce themselves off at some low quantity. HVAC tools and processes are sophisticated, and it’s not one thing folks have to consider too usually. So after they do, they usually have plenty of misconceptions about how the tools works, and learn how to get probably the most out of it.

So this isn’t a high 5 or a high 10. It’s each frequent air-con delusion we’ve got encountered. Collectively, our specialists have a whole bunch of years of expertise within the HVAC trade. By leveraging that have, we hope to dispel as many myths as doable, and reply them as completely as doable.

Heck, if you recognize of a standard A/C delusion that we missed, attain out to us! If it’s verifiable by our specialists, we’ll embrace it right here. As know-how modifications, so too will the dangerous or outdated recommendation surrounding air conditioners, and we wish to keep on high of these modifications.

Okay, it’s time to bust some myths. Let’s bounce in.

A/C Gear Myths

Fable: On the subject of air conditioners, larger is healthier.

Truth: HVAC contractors ought to carry out a Guide J Load Calculation after they first go to your property to find out the proper measurement to your residence. Extra measurement (known as tonnage) won’t equate to raised cooling or lowered power payments, and should in truth be worse in each of these areas resulting from beginning and stopping extra steadily.

Fable: Air conditioners solely cool the air.

Truth: Air-con is an efficient humidity removing system, which in flip impacts your total consolation. The evaporator coil in an A/C unit absorbs moisture and transmits it to the outside air-con unit. From there, it’s expelled into the air. Because of this, operating your air conditioner can scale back and management humidity ranges along with preserving you cool.

Fable: Air-con and heating function as separate methods.

Truth: The 2 methods share a variety of options. Primarily, the blower fan in your furnace is what strikes air all through your property for each heating and cooling. Because of this, the settings on the fan have to match the obtainable settings in your air conditioner, or the A/C gained’t operate effectively. That is known as “tools matching,” and is a giant motive why it’s usually really helpful that you just exchange your air conditioner and furnace on the similar time.

Fable: SEER Ranking is all I would like to fret about for effectivity.

Truth: SEER Ranking (Seasonal Power Effectivity Ratio) is an efficient gauge of potential effectivity, however it’s removed from the one issue. A foul set up in comparison with an excellent set up is a far larger differentiator of effectivity and anticipated lifespan than the SEER Ranking. Moreover, many different elements contribute to effectivity, together with the standing of your tools, how clear (or soiled) ductwork is, and in case your filter is clogged sufficient to inhibit airflow within the system.

Fable: My refrigerant has been banned, so I would like to exchange my air conditioner instantly.

Truth: The R22 refrigerant that’s frequent in lots of methods has certainly been banned by the federal authorities, however just for new manufacturing and set up. In case your present system makes use of R22, you’re underneath no obligation to exchange it instantly.

That mentioned, since there isn’t any new manufacturing of the refrigerant within the nation, “topping up” your system with R22 will get more and more costly within the coming months and years.

RELATED: The R22 Ban: How It Impacts You

Fable: Worth is an important issue when buying an air conditioner.

Truth: That is incorrect on a few accounts. Whether or not or not you might be on the lookout for the most affordable choice or the highest-end choice, value is just one issue to think about. The standard of the set up is an important think about whether or not or not you’ll have an environment friendly, high quality system. This, in flip, makes choosing the proper installer extra necessary than the sticker value.

Getting the right measurement, ensuring corners aren’t reduce throughout the set up, and the assist you’ll obtain out of your HVAC accomplice are all elements that can decide the long-term price and long-term worth of your system.

RELATED: 7 Issues to Look For When Selecting an HVAC Contractor

A/C Upkeep Myths

Fable: I don’t personal pets and preserve my home clear. I can go a yr with out altering my air filter.

Truth: Air filters can certainly clog sooner in properties with pets, people who smoke, or different environmental issues, however there are particles in your HVAC air provide that gained’t be caught by common home cleansing. Usually, one-inch filters have to be modified each 30-90 days. For four-inch filters (which is what we sometimes set up right here at Fireplace & Ice), the typical is six months. That charge can fluctuate barely from residence to residence, however that vary isn’t going to widen a lot no matter your circumstances.

Fable: Upkeep is just necessary after I’m having issues with my air conditioner.

Truth: This is likely one of the extra harmful myths we encounter, as a result of it’s simple to imagine when every part appears to be going properly. However air-con ought to obtain yearly upkeep no matter its operational standing. The rationale for that is that upkeep is (and must be) proactive, not reactive. To attend for issues is to react as an alternative of stop, and it’ll price you consolation and cash.

Moreover, if you happen to’re inside your guarantee (normally 10 years), there isn’t a serious model on the market that can honor that guarantee if it isn’t being serviced yearly. Ensure you’re studying the guarantee fastidiously; this language is bound to be in there.

Lastly, you’re dropping effectivity and, long-term, taking years off of the lifetime of your system by ignoring common upkeep. It’s the distinction between a system that can final you 8-12 years at finest, and one that may simply final 15-20 years.

Fable: I’m losing cash if I exchange my A/C unit earlier than it dies.

Truth: In case your air conditioner is on its final legs, chances are high you’re hemorrhaging cash (and luxury!) as a result of it’s not working anyplace close to most effectivity.

Second, the time air conditioners are almost certainly to interrupt down is the primary time you employ them in a yr, which is nearly all the time the primary unbearably scorching days of the spring or early summer season. There’s a rush for installations and repair throughout nowadays, and it can lead to delays of days and even weeks whilst you’re ready for service. It’s not definitely worth the threat.

If it’s near dying, you’re going to have to exchange it will definitely anyway. Why not begin saving on utility prices now as an alternative of later? HVAC tools solely will get dearer yr to yr, so that you’re costing your self extra with every passing yr. Having a dialog with a trusted HVAC accomplice will help you determine when it makes probably the most sense to exchange your present tools.

RELATED: Price of an Air Conditioner Substitute

A/C Consolation Myths

Fable: Setting the thermostat decrease will cool the home extra rapidly.

Truth: If your property’s temperature is 80 levels and also you set it to both 72 or 70, it’ll cool to 72 levels simply as rapidly in both case. Setting it to 70 simply means it’ll keep on longer to achieve 70 levels as soon as it’s at 72.

This delusion could come from the truth that variable-speed air conditioners can function at a whole bunch of various speeds, so that they gained’t all the time be at 100% output. This doesn’t enable for the house to chill down extra rapidly, however is healthier at sustaining a constant temperature degree as soon as it reaches the specified temperature.

Fable: Turning Off the Air Conditioner When You Go away the Home Will Save Cash

Truth: That is false, however the reasoning can get just a little tough, because the potential prices will rely on issues like the kind of tools you have got and the way lengthy you are away from the house. There are refined variable-speed air conditioners that usually make sense to go away on indefinitely throughout the summer season months. Conversely, if you happen to work lengthy hours on some days, at the least decreasing the air conditioner’s output throughout these hours can generally get monetary savings.

A really helpful technique is to make use of your programmable thermostat to make the temperature 5 levels hotter once you’re not at residence. Relatively than attempting to go from “actually scorching” to “comfy” inside minutes of your arriving residence, you’re ready to avoid wasting cash whereas additionally avoiding the dangers related to turning off the unit fully.

Another excuse to keep away from turning off the unit fully is humidity. Humidity may cause every kind of issues within the residence, and your air conditioner is adept at managing humidity ranges. By leaving it on, you’re usually avoiding long-term issues resulting from excessive humidity in the summertime months.

Fable: The thermostat can go anyplace and can work the identical.

Truth: Publicity to issues like airflow and daylight can drastically have an effect on a thermostat’s readings. Moreover, you wish to place it in an space that shall be consultant of the temperature all through your property. Should you’ve ever had a chilly basement concurrently a scorching upstairs, you recognize the significance of even cooling all through a house.

Putting in a thermostat on an inside wall, not uncovered to the solar, is really helpful. Moreover, many methods enable for sensors to be positioned all through the house, which will increase the accuracy of the readings taken by the thermostat and permits the system to chill your property higher.

Fable: Closing vents can get monetary savings on cooling prices.

Truth: Because the cool air from an air conditioner is combined with the nice and cozy air in your house, all this does is create cold and warm spots whereas the air mixes to reach on the desired temperature.

For readability, that is completely different from “zoned” homes, which do have separate areas, and may get monetary savings by offering air to solely sure sections. Nonetheless, that is one thing that’s arrange intentionally. Usually, zoning solely applies to business properties. Whereas it may be arrange in residential properties as properly, closing vents just isn’t a great way to attempt to recreate its advantages.

Fable: Air-con could make you sick.

Truth: There’s some nuance right here, as a result of the air-con itself gained’t make you sick, but when your property has irritants, pollution, or ailments, not managing your HVAC system correctly can enable them to remain in your house.

Correct filtration is step one. Investing in a high-quality air filter and altering it appropriately will go a good distance towards this objective. Correct humidity management can even assist to keep away from molds that may develop in humid months. Lastly, air high quality merchandise can proactively eradicate contaminants and lots of ailments.

Not operating your air-con due to this worry can result in different issues, to not point out a drop in consolation. Relatively than worrying about this, it’s much better to ensure your HVAC system is working for you within the struggle in opposition to illness.

Fable: Ceiling followers can scale back my air-con power prices.

Truth: There’s a nugget of fact right here, however as written simply above, it’s false. Ceiling followers transfer air however do nothing to chill it. So your air conditioner shall be working simply as exhausting to get to the specified temperature with or with out the usage of followers.

The place followers can work is in serving to us really feel comfy at barely larger temperatures. Should you’re in a room with a fan, maybe you’ll really feel comfy at 74 as an alternative of 72, so that you’re capable of dial again your thermostat. On this method, you may undoubtedly get some financial savings out of them. They’ll additionally flow into warmth within the winter, since warmth will rise to the highest of your property.

Nonetheless, they’re simply an power sink if you happen to’re not within the room or not at residence. Clever fan use can contribute to power financial savings, however in and of themselves, they’re not cooling the air.

You Have Questions, We Have Solutions

Is that this record complete? No, in fact not. We couldn’t embrace each query we obtain, however we did attempt to boil them all the way down to those we hear most steadily, in addition to those which have the most important implications to your HVAC tools.

Misinformation is the enemy of fine choices, although, so it stays considered one of our ongoing objectives to supply academic supplies and sources for each residential HVAC subject. We could by no means reach overlaying each subject, however that gained’t cease us from attempting!

Within the meantime, when it’s time so that you can make your subsequent HVAC funding, you’re going to have questions, and no HVAC contractor goes to have the ability to predict all of them. That’s why it’s necessary to take a seat down with a trusted HVAC accomplice to resolve all questions and considerations, to make the most effective choice for you, your property, and your loved ones.

Should you’re in Columbus, OH, or Central Ohio, we’d like to be part of that dialog. We’d like to make your day even higher!