5 HVAC Myths Busted

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.