During hot summer days, there’s nothing more refreshing than stepping out of the sun and humidity into a cool, air-conditioned home. Although air conditioning has been around for decades, homeowners still encounter many myths about the best way to operate their air conditioners while cutting energy costs.
As a home heating and cooling company, we at Bears Home Solutions would like to clarify five of the most common myths about home air conditioning below, so your family (and your budget) can stay cool all summer long.
Myth: Air conditioners of any size will work in your home.
Fact: The size of your air conditioner will depend on the space you want to cool. Units that are too small need to work harder to condition the air, which may lead to unexpected breakdowns when you need them most. If units are too large, their cooling cycles are short and ineffective. Hiring a home heating and cooling specialist to determine which unit size works best in your home will ensure the air conditioner operates efficiently.
Myth: Turning your AC unit down to the lowest temperature will cool your home faster.
Fact: Air conditioners operate at the same rate whether the temperature is 70 degrees or 7 degrees – it just takes more time and energy to reach the set temperature. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to maintain comfortable temperatures according to your schedule while saving money on your utility bills.
Myth: Air conditioners require less preventative maintenance than heating equipment.
Fact: All heating and cooling equipment in your home needs regular maintenance to operate effectively and prevent breakdowns. Homeowners can do their own basic maintenance on their air conditioners – like changing air filters – but we recommend having your unit inspected by a certified technician at least once a year (although twice a year is optimal). Sign up for a maintenance plan like our Bear Care program to stay on schedule with seasonal maintenance appointments and ensure your equipment is always running its best.
Myth: AC units only cool the air.
Fact: Air conditioners certainly cool the air, but as their name implies, they condition it by removing the humidity that comes along with hot temperatures. Their air filters also help maintain healthy indoor air quality, although many cooling systems can have air purifiers attached to help keep your family comfortable and healthy.
Myth: Closing air vents in rooms used less often will help direct the cool air to the rooms you use every day.
Fact: Your home cooling system needs balanced air flow to operate effectively. Closing your air vents in less occupied areas of your home will upset this balance and force your air conditioner to work harder to cool your space. For best results, keep your vents open.
Bears Home Solutions is here to help you stay cool this summer. Request an appointment with our Comfort Advisors to maintain, repair, or replace your home cooling system today!
