Although Air conditioning technology has been around for decades, there are certain myths that people still believe in without realizing that those practices are only hogging their money.
We have all been told to invest in the largest and most expensive air conditioning unit we can find. Moreover, on hot and humid days, we tend to lower the thermostat temperature to the minimum thinking it will bring the temperature down quickly.
On the contrary, Energy.gov advises residents of Canada to keep their house warmer than average when they are away and set the thermostat to 78°F only when they are at home and need to be kept cool.
Unfortunately, many air conditioning-related myths have been accepted as common knowledge. Hence, in this blog, we have broken down some common air conditioning myths.
Myth 1: A Bigger Air Conditioning Unit Is Better
Yes, the size of an air conditioning unit will majorly affect its performance. However, it is relative to the size of your house. If you live in a condo or a one-bedroom house, getting a larger air conditioner will do you no good. Rather buying it, maintaining it, and using it will be much more expensive.
Larger air conditioning units in smaller areas tend to cycle more frequently, leading to quickened wear and tear.
Myth 2: Lowering The Thermostat Will Cool Your Home Faster
This is one of the longest-lasting air conditioning myths. The truth is that cooling a room or an entire house will always take time. It will take its due time even if you set the thermostat at the lowest possible setting. Lowering the thermostat does not speed up the pace of the air conditioner. Air conditioners work equally as hard when you are trying to cool your home by one degree or 15 degrees. Hence, it is better to keep the thermostat at the temperature you want your house to be. Adjust your thermostat temperature according to your habits, preferences, and the temperature outside.
Note that, the closer the thermostat setting is to the outside temperature, the more you’ll save. However, for window units, things are slightly different.
Myth 3: Close Vents In The Rooms That Are Not Being Used
Most people believe that if they close the vents in rooms that are not being used, it will help save energy since the cold air will not be wasted. However, this will throw off the delicate balance of air distribution throughout your home meaning that the inside of your ducts will be cooled instead and the pressure in the ducts will build up forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
Myth 4: Don’t Replace Your Air Conditioner Till It Hits The Bucket
Although buying a new Air Conditioning unit will cost you some money at first, it will help you save much more in the long run. Older air conditioners use dated tech that has not been designed to conserve energy. On the contrary, newer models have higher efficiency that will save you more money than holding on to and operating an old one.
The heating and cooling systems being designed today are highly efficient and use less energy than systems built just 10 – 15 years ago.
Conclusion
To understand what air conditioning practices will help you save energy and money in the long run, consult a professional and reliable HVAC contractor. They will give you the best advice and will help you choose the right air conditioning unit for your needs.
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At Pro West, we offer expert services in the repair, installation, and maintenance of air conditioning, heating, hydronic, and humidifier systems to our residential and commercial customers in Vancouver and the lower mainland region. Contact us today for more information about our services.