5 Air Conditioning Myths That Will Cost You

Don’t Buy into These Popular Air Conditioning Myths

When it comes to keeping cool and comfortable on hot or humid days, homeowners will go to great lengths – and we don’t blame them. Thankfully, Oklahoma City hasn’t quite gotten desperate yet, as we’re still in the 70s and 80s. However, come late May or early June, temperatures are going to inch closer to the 90s. Depending on your threshold, you may not be able to cope with the blistering heat. No matter how hot it gets, though, it’s important to not to turn to reckless cooling behaviors. Here are five air conditioning myths you shouldn’t buy into.

Myth #1: Turning the thermostat way down will cool your home faster.

After a enduring day outside completing some of the home maintenance tasks we recommended, you may feel tempted to crank the thermostat way down in hopes of cooling your home more quickly. However, doing so will not cool your home any faster because your central air unit delivers cool air at the same rate no matter what. This is because most central units have a single fan speed.

When you turn the thermostat way low – say, to 60 degrees, you run the risk of wasting energy, not to mention money, in the case that you forget to adjust the temperature. During the summer months, set your thermostat to a higher temperature while you’re away. When you’re at home, keep it as close to 78°F as possible for maximum energy savings.

Myth #2: It’s better to leave the A/C on at all times, even while away.

If you’re not home, there’s no need to keep replacing the cool air because this only wastes energy for the eight to 10 hours you’re away. We know how uncomfortable it can be to come home to an exceptionally hot home, but constantly running your A/C will only cost you.

A great way to ensure comfort upon your arrival is through installing a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set predetermined temperatures to increase savings and comfort. There are numerous thermostats to choose from, which means you can find the perfect one for your needs and budget. Our expert HVAC technicians can help determine the best one for your home and install it.

Myth #3: Ceiling fans cool rooms.

Contrary to popular belief, ceiling fans do not cool rooms, but rather skin. Therefore, leaving a fan on when no one is in the room only wastes energy. When you are in the room, make sure the fan is turned counter-clockwise. If you’re leaving a room where the fan is turned on and not planning to return for a while, remember to turn the fan off.

Myth #4: Yearly A/C maintenance isn’t necessary.

If your air conditioner seems to be working just fine, you may feel that you aren’t due for any maintenance. Why spend the money, right? Wrong. A yearly tune-up costs just a fraction of what an average repair does, and it ensures that your system will run efficiently all summer long. When it comes to expensive household appliances, it’s best not to take risks. Further, most manufactures require routine maintenance for your warranty to remain in effect.

To find out more about why an annual tune-up is important, read our blog “3 Important Reasons to Schedule Your Spring HVAC Tune-Up.”

Myth #5: Closing off vents and registers in unused rooms will lower energy costs.

Your forced air system relies on balance, so when you close off a vent or register, it throws everything off, causing rooms to unevenly cool. Your system will have to work harder to try to make up the difference, consequently raising your energy costs. The best thing you can do for your home and your system is to allow your system to evenly cool your house.

Now that you’ve been armed with the proper cooling knowledge, there’s no need to be tempted by these ever-so popular air conditioning myths. If you run into home cooling problems this spring or summer, schedule an appointment with Interstate right away. After all, we’re the home cooling experts!

For information or assistance with HVAC efficiency, give Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 405-794-8900.

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