When it comes to home appliances, there are plenty of age-old myths that promise less maintenance, better performance, and money saving. The same can be said for air conditioners and furnaces. While many of these myths come with good intent, some are downright terrible practices to follow.
Below are 5 common HVAC myths and why each myth could actually be costing you money and hurting your AC unit or furnace.
Myth #1: Cranking the thermostat will heat or cool your home faster.
If you crank your thermostat up to a very high temperature or down to a very low temperature in hopes it will heat or cool faster, this will not actually accomplish anything. Your AC unit or furnace will reach your desired temperature as fast as it can without overworking. If the unit shuts off before it reaches your temperature, it likely means it is shutting off to prevent the unit from overheating and will resume when ready.
Myth #2: The best unit is the biggest and most expensive.
Bigger is not always better when it comes to air conditioners and furnaces. An oversized unit will often short-cycle, which will decrease the lifespan of the unit and require more repairs than usual to keep it going. Your monthly utility bills will also be much larger than necessary. From purchasing the unit to maintaining it, you will be overpaying.
It is important to note that an HVAC professional selling you a larger unit than necessary is a common HVAC repair scam. There are dishonest contractors who will recommend you choose the biggest unit with no regard for the type of unit or size of your house/building. Units that are oversized are more expensive to install so the contractor can charge more for the job. They are also more expensive to run in the long term and will cost more in service and maintenance. Click here to see our full list of common HVAC repairs to keep an eye out for.
Myth #3: If my unit is working, I don’t need a cleaning or tune-up.
Just because your unit is running does not mean it is running at peak efficiency, does not need to be cleaned, or every part is in perfect condition. Furnace and AC maintenance should be proactive, meaning it should happen before a breakdown takes place. Furnace tune-ups will keep your unit running longer and more efficiently, saving you money on your monthly bill and keeping you from replacing the unit prematurely.
Myth #4: Closing vents will save you money.
When you close vents in a room because it is rarely used or too hot/cold, the closed vent creates pressure in the air vents and an imbalance in the unit. In general, your system pulls in as much air as it needs to heat or cool your home. When you close some vents, your unit is pulling in more air than it is pushing through the ducts, thus creating pressure on the unit. This pressure can cause leaks in your ductwork and unnecessary wear and tear on your system’s blower. It’s best to keep your vents open and keep the air circulating throughout your home.
Myth #5: The filter only needs to be replaced once every year.
Changing your filter once per year might be correct for some units and filters, but this is definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach. Some manufacturers will recommend changing your filter several times a year at a minimum. In addition, if you have several pets in your home, you should change your filter more often than a pet-free home. Always check with the manufacturer recommendations, and make sure to check your filter from time to time.
There are plenty of HVAC myths out there, but we always recommend taking HVAC maintenance advice from a professional. Every HVAC system is different; something that works great for one system could be detrimental to yours.
Grand Home Services in Aurora, Colorado provides HVAC inspections, repair, cleaning and replacement services throughout the Denver Metro Area. Whether it is an emergency or you need some guidance, do not hesitate to reach out to us! Contact us online or call us today.
3 Signs of a Faulty Furnace Gas Valve
A furnace gas valve allows natural gas or propane to flow into your unit. Occasionally these valves will stop opening and closing properly due to an obstruction, rust, or old age. If this valve malfunctions, it could be a hazard to your health and home as gas or propane will freely flow from the furnace without combustion.
Below are the 3 common signs of a faulty furnace gas valve to keep an eye out for as a faulty valve could be creating an unsafe environment. When in doubt, always call an HVAC professional.
FYI: When the valve stops working, it needs to be replaced as a repair is often more costly than a replacement. Typically, a gas valve replacement costs anywhere between $400 and $1000, making it one of the most expensive parts in a furnace to replace.
Gas leak
Sometimes a gas valve will get stuck open, allowing too much gas into your furnace while it is running, or allow gas to leak into your furnace while not running. Not only is this gas a fire hazard, but inhaling gas is very bad for your health. If you smell gas in your home, open your windows, exit your home, and call 911 immediately.
System failure
If your furnace is not heating your home or having trouble starting, this could mean your gas valve has malfunctioned and is not supplying enough—if any—gas to the unit. This means the ignitor will not work, your furnace will not be transferring any heat, and the system will stop blowing warm air. If the furnace is not running or it is not blowing warm air, call for a repair.
Though a system failure could be the result of a faulty furnace gas valve, there are many other possible culprits. If your unit is not blowing warm air, there are many other possible causes. Click here to learn more.
Furnace cycling
Similar to a system failure, when your furnace does not receive enough gas, it may continuously cycle to try to reach the temperature set on your thermostat. When the thermostat does not read the correct temperature, it will continue to tell the furnace to run. Regardless of the cause, a constantly cycling furnace could result in an overheated blower motor or other avoidable repair. If your furnace is cycling, shut the unit off and call for a repair.
In need of a furnace repair or inspection? Grand Home Services in Aurora, Colorado provides furnace inspections, repair, cleaning and replacement services throughout the Denver Metro Area. Whether it is an emergency or you need some guidance, do not hesitate to reach out to us! Contact us online or call us today.
