Your air conditioner works hard to keep you cool, especially on hot days during the summer. Unfortunately, many people believe many air conditioning myths, causing them to spend money they shouldn't. Let’s debunk these myths to help you make informed actions when cooling your home this summer in Oklahoma City.
Myth 1: Your AC Unit’s Size Doesn’t Matter
One of the main untrue assumptions is that size doesn’t matter or a bigger AC is always better. The truth is a great big unit can’t adequately remove humidity from the indoor air because it cycles on and off too quickly. This short cycling, as a result, causes more expensive energy costs.
On the other hand, a small unit must work harder to cool a large space, resulting in a warmer home than you probably prefer, unnecessary wear and tear and premature failure. 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
Interestingly, setting your thermostat to an extremely low 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 temperature. There’s no advantage to choosing an unnecessarily low setting, which only causes greater energy bills and decreased comfort.
Myth 3: Raising the Temperature While You’re Away Costs More Than Keeping It Steady
The perception that it’s cheaper to uphold a consistent temperature all day is a myth. The truth is, setting your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher when you’re out of the house for eight hours a day can save up to 10 percent on your cooling costs. This is because your air conditioning 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 boost savings without giving up comfort.
Myth 4: Running the Ceiling Fans 24/7 Keeps the House Cooler
Ceiling fans give the perception you're cooler, but they don’t truly bring down the temperature. Instead, they work by blowing air across your skin, generating a wind chill effect. That is why even though ceiling fans only cost pennies to run, leaving them running in empty rooms loses needless energy. Use ceiling fans in occupied spaces to improve 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 you put the thermostat can significantly impact cooling efficiency. Installing it near heat sources like windows, lamps and appliances can cause false readings, making your air conditioner work harder than it should. 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 the most comfort and energy savings.
Myth 6: It’s OK to Only Change the Air Filter Once a Year
While some high-end media filters last up to a year, the vast majority of traditional air filters ought to be replaced every 30-90 days. Dirty filters choke off airflow, forcing your AC to work harder and use more electricity. Alternatively, regular filter changes lengthen the life of your unit and preserve efficiency.
Myth 7: Professional AC Maintenance Isn’t Important
Like any other home appliance, your AC unit requires routine maintenance to facilitate maximum performance and longevity. Overlooking this can allow undetected issues, causing inconvenient 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 does not hold true with air conditioners. About 10 years after installation, AC units often experience a major reduction in energy efficiency. While scheduled maintenance and proactive repairs can stretch out your system’s life span, you shouldn’t wait for a total breakdown to upgrade to a new unit. A scheduled installation of a new air conditioning system 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
Choosing a contractor without doing your research could be a high-priced error. Always check the contractor’s certifications, guarantees and reviews to make sure you’ve found a team with the experience and skills to provide trustworthy service.
Myth 10: Working with a Small Business Is Always Better
While supporting local small businesses is commendable, this doesn’t automatically mean they offer premium service. Larger, established companies often have more resources and a broad range of expertise to tackle your needs efficiently.
Contact Gordon's Service Experts for Outstanding Air Conditioning Service in Oklahoma City
Now that you understand the benefit of educating yourself and only selecting a reliable HVAC professional, you can feel good about calling Gordon's Service Experts. We provide excellent HVAC services in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. Our dedication to industry-leading customer service, unparalleled expertise and 24-hour availability help us stand out from the rest. Contact the experienced pros at Gordon's Service Experts today at 405-432-2197 to schedule our reliable services, including AC replacement, repair, maintenance and more!